Re:As someone who once took such a course... (Score 1)

I'm glad you mentioned speculative fiction as this opens the door to a couple of authors worth noting. John Crowley is an excellent writer and should be included in anyone's list of important writers. Little, Big should be on everyone's must read list. James Blaylock's tales, most based in Orange County, CA, are excellent as well. I recommend "The Christian Trilogy" highly.