Middlebury

FYSE 1289

Robot Cult-Artific Ethnicity

Introduction to Robot Culture: An Artificial Ethnicity
In this seminar, we will focus on major literary and cinematic texts that have formed international perceptions of what could be defined as mechanical beings. We will study pre-20th-century narratives; the identification of robots with industrial workers before World War II (Capek's R.U.R.); and their first portrayals as beings with an individual sense of identity (Asimov's I Robot). We will also discuss non-American portrayals (Tezuka's Astro Boy) and end with two important contemporary texts: Battlestar Galactica and Wall-E. Through an examination of fictional robots, this seminar aims to help students understand the artificiality of the construction of such societal concepts as ethnicity, gender, and class. 3 hrs. sem.
Subject:
First Year Seminar
Department:
First-Year Seminar Program
Division:
Interdisciplinary
Requirements Fulfilled:
ART CW LIT

Sections

Fall 2009

FYSE1289A-F09 Seminar (Garcia)