As the semester and school year comes to a close, a time for reflection is upon us. An evaluation completed at the conclusion of a course serves as an opportunity for this reflection, asking you to consider what you did and did not enjoy during your time in the class throughout the semester. This semester I had the privilege of taking the honors course that read and talked about works of science fiction and fantasy. The small, online course held by Dr. Rutland was a pleasant and fun course to take. The break it offered in the otherwise major-related course-heavy schedule was refreshing, and getting to geek out with other students was nice. It led to new friendships and new favorite books. The stories we read were enticing, and breaking them down into simple elements such as themes and social issues was a great way to learn more about them. 

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Some of the books we read as a class included J.R.R Tolkien’s Fellowship of the Ring, Nnedi Okarafor’s books Akata Witch and Who Fears Death, and Octavia Butler’s Dawn. Sprinkled in there were Edgar Allen Poe stories, stories written about climate change, and even an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. 

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The structure of the class allowed for open conversation and helped students voice different opinions on the same text. It opened the students’ eyes to other interpretations they would have otherwise never come to. 

A great project in the class was a presentation of a student’s choice of a sci-fi or fantasy movie or TV show. Throughout the semester, students would present and get to spread their favorite movies to their classmates.

Dr. Rutland, a sweet and intelligent professor, was always listening to the students for new ideas and took interest in the media her students enjoyed engaging with. She listens to her students when there are any concerns and questions. She is truly a golden professor that Gannon University and the students should seize the opportunity to meet, learn from, and appreciate. 

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When planning your next semester, keep an eye out for this class or any like it and consider the imagination that could come from it. The class is not just a class, but a doorway to new universes.

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