Beyond Tolkien -- Modern Classics of Fantasy
May 20, 2026 - Jun 3, 2026
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Full course description
Description
Explore landmark fantasy stories of the mid-20th century. Moving beyond epic quests and medieval worlds, we’ll examine how writers such as Fritz Leiber, Shirley Jackson, Theodore Sturgeon, and others reshaped fantasy by blending the uncanny with psychology, social commentary, and everyday life. Weekly sessions will combine guided discussion, close reading, and historical context to show how these stories helped define modern fantasy—and why they still matter to contemporary readers. Required text: Modern Classics of Fantasy, ed. Gardner R. Dozois (1997) ISBN 978-0312169312, available as an eBook or paperback under $16.00.
Class Time(s)1:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST
Schedule
Michael Shuman
Michael Shuman, PhD, is Professor of Instruction in the Department of English at USF. He has taught previous OLLI-USF classes on Thomas Hardy, T. S. Eliot, science fiction, and the gothic novel.
LocationTBA
# of Meeting(s)3
Notes