PAINTED BY  @士铭微博

Science fiction writing program remains small & strapped for cash

Source: Global Times [09:44 September 30 2010]

By Yan Shuang

Science fiction literature researchers are calling for more support as the country's first science fiction major at a Chinese university lacks resources for development.

China's only science fiction studies major at Beijing Normal University's School of Literature has only enrolled 15 students in the eight years since it's launch in 2003, with just one teacher instructing its three core courses.

"Every year, we only have less than 10 students apply for the science fiction master's degree, and we take two students," said Wu Yan, associate professor of literature at the university and the teacher for the six students currently enrolled in the three-year program.

Most of the applicants are science fiction fans, according to Wu, but the university's entrance exams for the modern literature division, in which the sci-fi program is categorized, are more focused on the history of literature.

"That's why many students who applied for this major were turned down, because they couldn't make it through the exams," Wu said. Furthermore, he added, many of the students in the science fiction program applied to major in other fields at the school but couldn't get in and were reassigned as sci-fi literature majors instead.

Wu and fellow researchers were the recipients of a 70,000 yuan ($10,461) government grant in 2004 to promote the country's development of science fiction literature, but so far he says he has received only 60,000 yuan ($8,970).

"Sometimes I have to invite writers and scholars at my own expense to give the students classes and lectures to enrich their knowledge," he said.

In the opinion of Yao Haijun, deputy editor-in-chief of renowned Science Fiction World, more public support is needed for the development of theory-based research for science fiction literature and its cultural and creative industries.

"We need a diversified science fiction development, both for theory and actual literary writing," Yao said. "Science fiction literary education is just a start. We need to develop an industry that involves literature as well as other cultural creative businesses, such as science fiction filmmaking."

http://www.globaltimes.cn/www/english/metro-beijing/update/society/2010-09/578843.html