Science Fiction Film

In 1902, Georges Méliès produced a short film called "A Trip to the Moon," which tells of a group of scientists who, using a cannon to launch their rocket ship, visit the moon and meet its local inhabitants. 107 years later, it is the extraterrestrials who come to visit and reside on earth, as captured in the films such as "Independence Day," "War of the Worlds," "District 9" and "The Tomorrow War." Though separated by an entire century of technological advancements in filmmaking, including computerized images, special makeup, and sound (to name a few), these two films are quite similar. They are a part of the science fiction genre that involves "a situation that could not arise in the world we know, but which is hypothesized on the basis of some innovations in science or technology, or pseudo-science or pseudo-technology, whether human or extraterrestrial in origin." (Kinglsey Amis, New Maps of Hell). In this class, we will watch classic and new science films and learn the history of the science fiction genre (and how it differs from other genres), scholarly interpretations of science fiction movies and we will discover how these films reflect the anxieties, fears, and concerns of American society at the time they were released. Beginning with the 1902 classic by Georges Méliès, this class may screen, "Destination Moon," "2001: A Space Odyssey," "Andromeda Strain," "Blade Runner," "Brother From Another Planet," "The Matrix" and "District 9." Required reading: Vivian Sobchack, Screening Space: The American Science Fiction Film Articles on BlackBoard Other requirements: 5 (3-4 pages) Short analyses of the films 1 (5-8 page) research paper on a film of your choice or video essay Help lead a discussion on one of the films Informed participation in class discussions Regular, punctual attendance