Skip to main content

North Star Promise Scholarship Alert: FAFSA or MN Dream Act forms must be submitted by June 1 to be considered for the scholarship next year!

—

Metro State will observe Summer Hours May 22–July 25: On Fridays, services will be virtual only, and buildings will be closed Fridays and Saturdays (except the Library will be open Fridays and Saturdays from 10a.m-6: p.m.). Check the Student Services page for details.
Metro State University (Home)

WRIT 340 Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy

This course focuses on the craft of writing science fiction and fantasy. Through guided exercises, students gain skills in identifying and creating essential elements common to these popular genres, such as tropes, leitmotifs, character types, and narrative arcs. Additionally, students study major sci-fi and fantasy subgenres to discover how movements such as Afrofuturism or Disabled Futurism harness the genres¿ power to radically reimagine marginalized histories and futures. The exercises in this course directly focus on the writer¿s career, including applications such as the story synopses and outlines, adaptations of story ideas for movies and games, as well as query letters for publication.

Prerequisites

4 Undergraduate credits

Effective January 1, 2026 to present

Meets graduation requirements for

Learning outcomes

General

  • Differentiate between popular sci-fi and fantasy subgenres such as Afrofuturism, Crip Futurity, indigenous futurisms, apocalyptic and dystopian forms, cyberpunk, urban fantasy, grimdark, magical realism, epic, and more.
  • Apply the writerly processes that successful science fiction and fantasy authors use to develop narrative structures.
  • Apply common science fiction and fantasy story tropes and leitmotifs effectively within a variety of narrative structures.
  • Analyze the role of science fiction and fantasy in exploring contemporary issues such as environmental catastrophe, racism, sexism, ableism, inequality, and authoritarianism.
  • Create original science fiction or fantasy story arcs for a variety of genres such as novels, movies, games, short stories, or series.

Minnesota Transfer Curriculum

Goal 6: The Humanities and Fine Arts

  • Demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in the arts and humanities.
  • Understand those works as expressions of individual and human values within a historical and social context.
  • Respond critically to works in the arts and humanities.
  • Engage in the creative process or interpretive performance.
  • Articulate an informed personal reaction to works in the arts and humanities.

Fall 2026

Section Title Instructor books eservices
50 Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy Cipriani, Belo M Books for WRIT-340-50 Fall 2026 Course details for WRIT-340-50 Fall 2026