Voyages of Star Trek: A Mirror on American Society through Time

Star Trek has reflected, foreshadowed, and adapted to American culture since 1966, making it a lasting and relevant franchise. Its ability to anticipate and adapt to changing times has contributed to its enduring appeal. The Voyages of Star Trek: A Mirror on American Society through Time explores this phenomenon through anthropological analysis.

Format: Hardback
Length: 228 pages
Publication date: 16 January 2021
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Star Trek, a science fiction franchise that emerged in the 1960s, has endured and thrived in the ever-changing cultural landscape of America. It has survived the cultural shock of 9/11 and experienced a revival in the era of yoga pants, hybrid cars, and Starbucks. With over 5 decades of existence, Star Trek continues to voyage through space and time. But why has it managed to anticipate and adapt to such rapid culture change? In The Voyages of Star Trek: A Mirror on American Society through Time, authors K. M. Heath and A. S. Carlisle explore the enduring appeal of Star Trek and its ability to mirror, foreshadow, and adapt to contemporary American culture. Through anthropological analysis, the authors examine the evolution of Star Trek by tying its storylines to events and developments in the U.S. They assess the extent to which the visual image of Star Trek is reflected on the screen from "snapshots" of randomly selected episodes and all of the films. By examining how Star Trek addressed contemporary social issues through a sci-fi lens over time, the authors postulate that Americans can better understand their own changing culture. If Star Trek can continue to anticipate and adapt to our rapidly changing world, then it should remain a part of the cultural landscape for another 50 years, truly going where few franchises have gone before.

Weight: 478g
Dimension: 159 x 235 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538136966