Georgetown Univ. offers Star Trek course

gturner · September 4 2009, 05:15 PM

I want my credit hours for time spent here!

At Georgetown University, you can learn philosophy through the lens of Star Trek for $4,827.

"Star Trek is very philosophical," the course description reads. "What better way, then, to learn philosophy, than to watch Star Trek, read philosophy, and hash it all out in class? That's the plan."

A couple of the questions to be considered are:
"I. Is time travel possible? Could we go back and kill our grandmothers? What is the nature of time?
II. Could reality be radically different from what "we" (I?) think? Could we be brains in vats?"

Foxnews slideshow link.

They have it as #2 in their list of the wackiest college courses you can take.

M'Sharak · September 4 2009, 06:28 PM

The Georgetown course listing, for those disinclined to click on a FoxNews link:

http://courses.georgetown.edu/index....rseID=PHIL-180

Nerys Ghemor · September 4 2009, 06:36 PM

Oh for God's sake. Like clicking on a Fox news link is going to rot your computer from the inside out.

Anji · September 4 2009, 09:41 PM

I can't believe Georgetown would actually allow a college course like this. It nowhere near covers the philosophy of Star Trek. There is no mention of Buddism, which is the core of the entire series.

Commander Rabbit · September 4 2009, 11:36 PM

Nerys Ghemor wrote:

Oh for God's sake. Like clicking on a Fox news link is going to rot your computer from the inside out.

You never know. ;-)

Green Shirt · September 5 2009, 10:16 PM

Nerys Ghemor wrote:

Oh for God's sake. Like clicking on a Fox news link is going to rot your computer from the inside out.

I clicked on it. I'm still here, but my computer desk is starting to lean.

Kurros · September 6 2009, 05:46 AM

I'd take that course for sure.

Cuhl · September 6 2009, 07:18 AM

At Georgetown University, you can learn philosophy through the lens of Star Trek for $4,827.

A couple of the questions to be considered are:
"I. Is time travel possible? Could we go back and kill our grandmothers?

What episode was that in?

II. Could reality be radically different from what "we" (I?) think? Could we be brains in vats?"

I think that's from the listing for their "Futurama" course.

nx1701g · September 6 2009, 09:10 AM

Actually this is not the first Trek course I've heard of as being offered at a university. When I was in undergrad my university had a Star Trek and Philosophy course as well as a Star Trek and Modern Literature course.

No I did not take it, but I heard that they had low enrollment and the Professor literally gave out good grades if you didn't confuse Trek and Wars.

September 4 2009, 06:36 PM	#3
Nerys Ghemor Vice Admiral Location: Cardăsa Terăm--Nerys Ghemor	Re: Georgetown Univ. offers Star Trek course Oh for God's sake. Like clicking on a Fox news link is going to rot your computer from the inside out. __________________ Are you a Cardassian fan, citizen? Prove your loyalty--check out my fanfic universe, Star Trek: Sigils and Unions. Or keep the faith on my AU Cardassia, Sigils and Unions: Catacombs of Oralius!

September 4 2009, 09:41 PM	#4
Anji Rear Admiral Location: Assisting in the birth of baby Horta on Janus VI	Re: Georgetown Univ. offers Star Trek course I can't believe Georgetown would actually allow a college course like this. It nowhere near covers the philosophy of Star Trek. There is no mention of Buddism, which is the core of the entire series.

September 6 2009, 05:46 AM	#7
Kurros Lieutenant Junior Grade Location: Adelaide	Re: Georgetown Univ. offers Star Trek course I'd take that course for sure.

September 6 2009, 09:10 AM	#9
nx1701g Admiral Location: Aboard the Executor...	Re: Georgetown Univ. offers Star Trek course Actually this is not the first Trek course I've heard of as being offered at a university. When I was in undergrad my university had a Star Trek and Philosophy course as well as a Star Trek and Modern Literature course. No I did not take it, but I heard that they had low enrollment and the Professor literally gave out good grades if you didn't confuse Trek and Wars. __________________ Star Trek: The Continuing Voyages RPG - Recruiting New Players! The Terminator Chronicles - The Sarah Connor Chronicles Continue! Not Dead Yet.

STAR TREK

CSI

ABOUT US

September 4 2009, 06:28 PM	#2
M'Sharak Definitely Herbert. Maybe. Location: Terra Inlandia	Re: Georgetown Univ. offers Star Trek course The Georgetown course listing, for those disinclined to click on a FoxNews link: http://courses.georgetown.edu/index....rseID=PHIL-180 __________________ I have long felt that any reviewer who expresses rage and loathing for a novel or a play or a poem is preposterous. He or she is like a person who has put on full armor and attacked a hot fudge sundae or a banana split. — Kurt Vonnegut