Otherworldly politics : the international relations of Star trek, Game of thrones, and Battlestar Galactica /
Dyson, Stephen Benedict,author.
"To help students think critically about international relations and politics, Stephen Benedict Dyson examines the fictional but deeply political realities of three television shows: Star Trek, Game of Thrones, and Battlestar Galactica. Deeply familiar with the events, themes, characters, and plot lines of these popular shows, students can easily draw parallels from fictive worlds to contemporary international relations and political scenarios. In Dyson's experience, this engagement is frequently powerful enough to push classroom conversations out into the hallways and onto online discussion boards.In Otherworldly Politics, Dyson explains how these shows are plotted to offer alternative histories and future possibilities for humanity. Fascinated by politics and history, science fiction and fantasy screenwriters and showrunners suffuse their scripts with real-world ideas of empire, war, civilization, and culture, lending episodes a compelling intricacy and contemporary resonance. Dyson argues that science fiction and fantasy television creators share a fundamental kinship with great minds in international relations. Creators like Gene Roddenberry, George R. R. Martin, and Ronald D. Moore are world-builders of no lesser creativity, Dyson argues, than theorists such as Woodrow Wilson, Kenneth Waltz, and Alexander Wendt. Each of these thinkers imagines a realm, specifies the rules of its operation, and by so doing seeks to teach us something about ourselves and how we interact with one another. A vital spur to creative thinking for scholars and an accessible introduction for students, this book will also appeal to fans of these three influential shows"--
"To the extent that politics involves decision-making amidst an array of competing values, most of human interaction may be understood as political. For students of international relations and political science, it can be a daunting task to evaluate value propositions in debate and discussion of issues with equally compelling opposing sides. Fictions found in storybooks, on the stage, and on the silver screen, however, offer scenarios in which value propositions may be sorted out as low-stakes case studies. To help his students think critically about international relations and politics, Stephen Benedict Dyson has found that using the fictional realities of three different television and cable programs, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, and Game of Thrones, so thoroughly engages his students in the classrooms that conversations frequently spill out into the hallways after class and onto Blackboard discussion groups. Students' strong grasp of these shows' events, themes, characters, and plot lines allow them to more easily understand the theory of international relations and politics and then translate that theory into contemporary political scenarios"--
Includes bibliographical references (pages [147]-158) and index.
"To help students think critically about international relations and politics, Stephen Benedict Dyson examines the fictional but deeply political realities of three television shows: Star Trek, Game of Thrones, and Battlestar Galactica. Deeply familiar with the events, themes, characters, and plot lines of these popular shows, students can easily draw parallels from fictive worlds to contemporary international relations and political scenarios. In Dyson's experience, this engagement is frequently powerful enough to push classroom conversations out into the hallways and onto online discussion boards.In Otherworldly Politics, Dyson explains how these shows are plotted to offer alternative histories and future possibilities for humanity. Fascinated by politics and history, science fiction and fantasy screenwriters and showrunners suffuse their scripts with real-world ideas of empire, war, civilization, and culture, lending episodes a compelling intricacy and contemporary resonance. Dyson argues that science fiction and fantasy television creators share a fundamental kinship with great minds in international relations. Creators like Gene Roddenberry, George R. R. Martin, and Ronald D. Moore are world-builders of no lesser creativity, Dyson argues, than theorists such as Woodrow Wilson, Kenneth Waltz, and Alexander Wendt. Each of these thinkers imagines a realm, specifies the rules of its operation, and by so doing seeks to teach us something about ourselves and how we interact with one another. A vital spur to creative thinking for scholars and an accessible introduction for students, this book will also appeal to fans of these three influential shows"--
"To the extent that politics involves decision-making amidst an array of competing values, most of human interaction may be understood as political. For students of international relations and political science, it can be a daunting task to evaluate value propositions in debate and discussion of issues with equally compelling opposing sides. Fictions found in storybooks, on the stage, and on the silver screen, however, offer scenarios in which value propositions may be sorted out as low-stakes case studies. To help his students think critically about international relations and politics, Stephen Benedict Dyson has found that using the fictional realities of three different television and cable programs, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, and Game of Thrones, so thoroughly engages his students in the classrooms that conversations frequently spill out into the hallways after class and onto Blackboard discussion groups. Students' strong grasp of these shows' events, themes, characters, and plot lines allow them to more easily understand the theory of international relations and politics and then translate that theory into contemporary political scenarios"--
Game of thrones (Television program)
International relations
International relations on television.
Star Trek television programs
Battlestar Galactica television programs
Also issued online.
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