Star Trek, Culture, and History
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)
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
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*