Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) will teach a course at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., this fall about dystopian novels, the university announced Thursday.
According to a news release from the university, the course, “Dystopian Visions,” will examine “the history of dystopian outlooks and their application and intersection with current events and political discourse.”
“I am thrilled to have an opportunity to join the faculty and students at George Washington University for the upcoming fall semester,” Paul said in a statement. “George Washington University is one of our nation’s leading higher education institutions, and I look forward to my time in Foggy Bottom.”
Ben Vinson, dean of the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, the school at the university offering the course, said in a statement: “When Sen. Paul approached us about coming to campus to teach this course, we agreed that his unique voice as a sitting senator would provide an engaging backdrop for our students.
“Because of our connections and location in the heart of the nation’s capital, we will continue to welcome prominent contributors to the global dialogue to come to campus to engage our students,” Vinson continued.
The university’s student newspaper, The Hatchet, noted that Paul, 54, has previously expressed a desire to teach a class about dystopian novels.
"I've talked about it, but unfortunately, I keep developing other projects that get in the way," Paul told VICE in 2013. "I would like to do it someday. I think dystopian novels are a discussion of politics, and sort of what happens if you let a government accumulate too much power."
According to Time, no books have been assigned yet for the course. Besides his work as a senator, Paul is also a physician.
