Task 1: Science-Fiction Themes
There are several themes in science-fiction which you were briefly introduced to in Week 1. Below you will find the different themes of science-fiction and video clips to give you a visual understanding.
Theme 1: Space Travel
In this theme, people travel through space via some sort of space-craft. Some are completely life-supporting while others are for shipment. Check out this video clip from Star Trek.
Theme 2: Time Travel
In this theme, somehow time travel has become a reality. People can travel through time both in the past and in the future. Check out this clip from The Time Machine.
Theme 3: Psychological/Biological Changes to Mankind
In this science-fiction theme, there has been some kind of psychological or biological changes to mankind. It may affect some, or it may affect all. An excellent literary and film example of this is Richard Mattheson's I Am Legend. In this work, there has been some kind of biological agent set loose on people, and it has turned some into a vampire-like creature. However, not all are affected. Some, like Will Smith's character, Robert Neville, were immune for some reason. Take a look at this video clip from the movie.
Theme 4: Supernormal Powers or Talents
Do not get this theme confused with biological changes! Think of this theme as if someone had powers from birth. A fantastic example of this is X-Men. All of these characters were born with some kind of supernormal power.
Theme 5: Science Applied to Human Relations for Constructive or Destructive Purposes
Here, this science-fiction theme explores how science can affect humans in both constructive or destructive purposes. You will see below an example of each.
Science Applied for Constructive Purposes: Iron Man - Tony Stark uses science for constructive purposes to help mankind, not destroy it.
Science Applied for Destructive Purposes: The Incredible Hulk - In this example, the military is trying to recreate a super-soldier through science to be a destructive force.
Theme 6: Battle with Alien Life Forms
This theme is pretty much self-explanatory! It deals with human beings battling aliens. This battle usually takes place on Earth as an alien life-force is trying to take the Earth for its own use. There are two examples below. The first, Signs, deals more with how one family deals with an alien invasion while the second, Independence Day, concentrates on how the United States (and the rest of the world!) handle a world-wide invasion!
Theme 7: Alternate Universe
In this final theme, the author has created an alternate universe. This does not mean that the Earth doesn't exist. It simply means that there is another world outside of our own that has living creatures. The Earth may or may not be present in this theme. Usually the focus is more on this "other world" such as in Star Wars. Below is a clip from Star Wars.
Tomorrow's In-Class Session: Be ready to discuss these different themes and work in small groups to identify pieces of literature and other works that would fall under these themes!