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1. "Where do we go from here?":
Extrapolation Vs. Mysticism in Arthur C. Clarke's Fiction
Analysis of the tension between hard science and imaginative fantasy in Clarke's
major fictional works, predominantly Childhood's End, but also 2001:
A Space Odyssey, The City and the Stars, Rendezvous with Rama,
Imperial Earth and The Fountains of Paradise. Looks at how this
tension is a key in determining the shape of Clarke's vision of the evolution
and future of humanity and its place in the universe.
2. 'Science fiction claims to be
about the whole human race, but modern Western man is all it is really concerned
about.' A discussion.
Argues that the literary genre of SF is essentially Anglo-American ethnocentric
and therefore its claim of universalism is false. Set in the context of 20th
century history and politics, and based on post-colonial and Marxist criticism.
Main works looked at: The Time Machine by H.G. Wells, Brave New World
by Aldous Huxley, The Cosmic Trilogy by C.S. Lewis, Myths of the Near
Future by J.G. Ballard and The Player of the Games by Iain M. Banks.
3. The Star Wars Trilogy:
Fantasy, Narcissism and Fear of the Other in Reagan's America
A look at the trilogy at two levels; one, how it consciously plays up to the
Cold War propaganda of the Reagan administration, and two, how it subconsciously
affirms Reagan's neo-conservative policies despite an apparent attempt to project
a liberal world. Draws on film theory and historical analysis.
4. "To boldly go where no man
has gone before":
Star Trek as a reflection of American imperialism.
Basic analysis of Star Trek the original series and a brief look at Star
Trek: The Next Generation in context of 20th century capitalism/imperialism.
Argues that Cold War politics of the 60s makes the Prime Directive so cherished
by Star Trek seem hollow and false, and that Star Trek's claim
of universal egalitarianism is at odds with the blatantly American values it
propagates.
5. Negotiating Outcast States:
Liminal Identities and Difference in Star Trek
A textual analysis of the characters of Spock from the original series, and
Data and Worf from The Next Generation. Theoretical basis of this essay
draws on the work of Hall, Woodward and Gilman and their ideas about identity,
difference and stereotyping, and borrows many points from recent papers on Star
Trek published in academic journals. It argues that Spock, Data and Worf,
because of their liminal statuses as non/sub-human beings, are discriminated
against by the human-dominated Federation, and that this is a reflection of
the white/Western world's ongoing perception of minorities.
6. The Political Economy of the
New Hollywood and the Rise of the Science Fiction Film
A look at the science fiction film in Hollywood using the political economy
approach of Schatz et al. Looks at the history of the science fiction film in
tandem with the characteristics of the science fiction genre itself, and argues
that the SF film has achieved contemporary popularity because its genre characteristics
are easily suited to the blockbuster mentality of the major Hollywood studios
- what is now the 'New Hollywood'.
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