FYSE1289A-F09
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.
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.
- Term:
- Fall 2009
- Location:
- Old Chapel 401(OCH 401)
- Schedule:
- 1:30pm-2:45pm on Tuesday, Thursday at OCH 401 (Sep 7, 2009 to Dec 4, 2009)
7:30pm-10:25pm on Tuesday at WNS HEM (Sep 7, 2009 to Dec 4, 2009) - Type:
- Seminar
- Instructors:
- Enrique Garcia
- Subject:
- First Year Seminar
- Department:
- First-Year Seminar Program
- Division:
- Interdisciplinary
- Requirements Fulfilled:
- ART CW LIT
- Levels:
- Undergraduate
- Availability:
- View availability, prerequisites, and other requirements.
- Course Reference Number (CRN):
- 92759
- Subject Code:
- FYSE
- Course Number:
- 1289
- Section Identifier:
- A