Speakers Series presents the Reality of the Improbable: Science Fiction as Social Commentary

WHAT: University of Illinois Springfield Engaged Citizenship Common Experience (ECCE) Speakers Series presents The Reality of the Improbable: Science Fiction as Social Commentary. Author Edward Beekman-Myers will be the featured speaker for this presentation.

WHEN: Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 12:00 p.m.

WHERE: Conference Room G, located on the lower level of the Public Affairs Center (PAC) on the University of Illinois Springfield campus.

(The event will be available via video on demand at http://www.uis.edu/technology/uislive.html)

DETAILS: Within most works of science fiction and fantasy there exists a basis in present day and/or historical reality. A number of authors have used the genre to comment on particular social problems and injustices by placing them in an otherworldly setting and exaggerating them in order to raise awareness. Looking at various works of sci-fi and fantasy in literature, film, and television, we can see how something that seems improbable can often be all-too real.

Beekman-Myers is the author of several short stories, plays, and novels, including the first volume in a sci-fi/comedy series, The Totally Gnarly Adventures of the Galactically Bitchin’ Comet Sweat!, which was recently published through CreateSpace. He serves as an instructor for UIS’s Speaker Series and as an English instructor for various other colleges in the Springfield area. www.beekmanmyers.com

A book signing will follow the discussion.

For more information and a list of other speakers series events visit http://illinois.edu/goto/speakerseries or contact Kimberly Craig at 217/206-6245 or craig.kimberly@uis.edu.