Science Fiction & Society with A.D. Boynton II – A Virtual Course Exploring Imagination, Culture & Reality

Are you ready to stretch your imagination beyond the stars while staying rooted in the realities of our world? Join Science Fiction & Society with A.D. Boynton II, a bold and thought-provoking virtual course presented by Urban Haiku. This six-week experience invites curious minds to explore the deep interconnection between science fiction, storytelling, and society.

📘 What This Course Is All About

• Genre Focus:
  An introductory dive into science fiction—a genre that blends the scientific with the imaginative to reflect, reimagine, and critique human societies.

• Core Themes:

  • Aliens, ghosts, vampires, and supernatural figures as cultural mirrors

  • Dystopian and post-apocalyptic futures as social critique

  • Space, time, and the body in speculative fiction

  • The politics of science, technology, and progress

• Literary & Media Exploration:
  You’ll explore novels, short stories, and multimedia texts that challenge the boundaries of:

  • Human identity

  • Technology and ethics

  • Race, gender, and societal structures

• Genre Connections:
  Alongside science fiction, the course touches on:

  • Fantasy

  • Horror

  • Magical Realism

  • Gothic

  • Post-apocalyptic fiction

  • Dystopian worlds

🎓 Course Details at a Glance

Course Title: Science Fiction & Society

1. Instructor: A.D. Boynton II (he/they)

2. Start Date: Wednesday, July 2, 2025

3. Duration: 6 weeks (Wednesdays)

4. Class Time:

   • 7–9pm EST

   • 6–8pm CST

   • 4–6pm PST

5. Platform: Zoom (online/remote)

6. Course Dates: July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 & August 6, 2025

7. Tuition (Sliding Scale): $300 – $500
   (see JEDI guidance below for equity-based pricing)

💰 Tuition Pricing & Justice-Focused Access (JEDI Sliding Scale)

We believe education should be accessible. That’s why this course uses a JEDI-inspired sliding scale model—encouraging justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Suggested Contributions:

• $500 – Solidarity Contributor

  • Financially stable and secure (steady income, savings, health care access)

  • Can afford luxury/recreational spending

  • Supports partial scholarships for BIPOC and low-income participants

• $400 – Sustaining Student

  • Employed with some financial limitations (e.g., moderate debt, occasional insecurity)

  • Can spend moderately on non-essentials

• $300 – Supported Participant

  • Experiencing financial hardship (e.g., underemployed, high healthcare or housing costs)

  • Limited or no recreational spending

🌍 Can't Pay Full Price?

We got you. Reach out to: anya@weareurbanhaiku.com
Options include:

• Payment plans

• Work exchange

• Trade/barter opportunities

Meet Your Instructor – A.D. Boynton II

Identity & Background:

• Pronouns: he/they

• Cultural worker, writer, and educator

• Based in Lawrence, Kansas

• Academic Credentials:

  • Ph.D. in English – University of Kansas

  • M.A. – Georgia College & State University

  • B.A. – Fort Valley State University (HBCU Proud!)

• Teaching Experience:

  • Over a decade of instruction across writing, literature, and pop culture

  • Has led programs with:

    • African American Policy Forum

    • Freedom Summer Network

    • College Language Association

    • Choate Rosemary Hall

• Current Roles & Projects:

  • Managing Editor – Journal of Science Fiction

  • Authoring a chapbook on grief and coming-of-age

🌌 Why Take This Course?

• Interdisciplinary Insight:

  • Unpacks fiction using lenses of politics, race, gender, and cultural theory

• Creative Exploration:

  • Encourages you to think critically and imaginatively

• Safe Space for Thought:

  • Community-oriented learning

  • Justice-centered pricing and pedagogy

• Great for:

  • Writers

  • Educators

  • Sci-fi fans

  • Artists

  • Thinkers of all kinds

📦 How to Enroll

1. Visit the official course page:
   👉 Science Fiction & Society

2. Select your payment tier based on the sliding scale

3. Add to cart and complete checkout

4. Receive confirmation and Zoom details via email

5. Prepare to begin your interstellar literary journey starting July 2, 2025

📨 Need More Info or Support?

Contact: anya@weareurbanhaiku.com
We’re happy to discuss:

• Financial accommodations

• Access needs

• Curriculum inquiries

• Anything else to help you feel welcome

🌠 In a World of Endless Stories—Come Tell Yours

This isn’t just a class. It’s an experience—a guided journey through fantastical worlds that reveal very real truths. With the guidance of A.D. Boynton II, you’ll gain tools to critically engage with literature, society, and yourself.

So whether you're new to science fiction or a lifelong fan ready to go deeper, this course is your launchpad.

FAQs

1. Do I need a background in literature to take this course?
Nope! This course is beginner-friendly and open to all—curiosity is your ticket in.

2. Will there be homework or assignments?
Yes, light reading/viewing each week, plus optional reflections and discussions.

3. Can I attend if I live outside the U.S.?
Absolutely. It’s all virtual. Just check your local time zone.

4. Are classes recorded?
We aim to foster live interaction, but recordings may be available upon request for accessibility.

5. Can I get a scholarship or discount?
Yes. Contact us to discuss sliding scale eligibility or alternative payment methods.