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History 582
Fall 2008
Prof. John Putman

Gateway

 Syllabus

 Star Trek, Culture, and History

September

October

November

December

9/8           INTRODUCTION AND THE IMPACT OF STAR TREK

9/15         SCIENCE FICTION AND POPULAR CULTURE

                                Read: Essential Science Fiction TV: pp. 1-67, 93-125

9/22         COMMIES AND KLINGONS: ORIGINS OF STAR TREK

                                Read: Sarantakes,” Cold War Pop Culture and the Image of U.S. Foreign Policy” (Blackboard)

Essential Science Fiction TV: pp. 195-208             

9/29         BLACK, WHITE, AND RED: STAR TREK AND RACE IN 1960S     

Read: Bernardi, Ch. 1-2

MacDonald, “Black and Network TV” and “The Golden Age of Blacks in Television” (E-Reserves)

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10/6         MINI-SKIRTS AND HIPPIES: STAR TREK, FEMINISM, AND THE COUNTERCULTURE

                                Read:  Douglas, “Genies and Witches” (E-Reserves)

                                           Ozersky, “The Demographic Imperative” (E-Reserves)

                                           Henderson, “Professional Women in Star Trek” (Blackboard)

EPISODE ANALYSIS PAPER DUE Link to Episodes

10/13       IS THERE A GOD?: STAR TREK, RELIGION, AND HUMANITY IN THE 1960S

                                Read: Asa, “Classic Star Trek and the Death of God” (E-Reserves)

          Alexander, “Interview with Gene Roddenberry” (web)

10/20       STAR TREK AND THE END OF THE COLD WAR

                                Read: Jackson and Nexon, “Representation is Futile” (E-Reserves)

           Essential Science Fiction TV, 231-46

10/27       STAR TREK FANS AND FANDOM

                                MIDTERM

                                Read: Geraghty, “A Reason to Live” (E-Reserves)

                                           Essential Science Fiction TV, 301-314

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11/3         A BLACK CAPTAIN: STAR TREK AND RACE IN THE LATE 20TH CENTURY

                                Read: Bernardi, Ch. 3-4

                                          Takaki, “Multiculturalism: Battleground or Meeting Ground?” (Blackboard)

11/10       FUNDAMENTALISM GONE AWRY: STAR TREK AND RELIGION IN THE LATE 20TH CENTURY

                                Read: Peterson, “Religion and Science in Star Trek: The Next Generation (E-Reserves)

                     Linford, “Deeds of Power: Respect for Religion in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (E-Reserves)

11/17       THE BEST GOVERNMENT IS…: STAR TREK, POLITICS, AND SOCIETY

                                Read: Mack, Star Trek: A Time to Heal

                                NOVEL ANALYSIS PAPER DUE

11/24       SEX AND THE PERFECT WOMAN: STAR TREK, GENDER, AND SEXUALITY IN THE LATE 20TH CENTURY

                                Read: Ferguson, et. al., “Gender Identity in Star Trek” (E-Reserves)

                                           Essential Science Fiction TV: pp. 159-76

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12/1         NAZIS AND HISTORICAL REVISIONISM: STAR TREK AND HISTORY

                                Read: Geraghty, “A Look to the Past” (E-Reserves)

12/8         PERFECTING HUMANS AND A SCARLET LETTER: STAR TREK AND CONTEMPORARY SOCIAL ISSUES

                                Read: Baylis and Robert, “The Inevitability of Genetic Enhancement Technologies”

(Blackboard)

 

FINAL EXAM: Monday, December 15th,  4-6pm

*Schedule is subject to change*

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