Otherworldly Politics: The International Relations of Star Trek, Game of Thrones, and Battlestar Gal

"To the extent that politics involves decision-making amidst an array of competing values, most of human interaction may be understood as political. For students of international relations and political science, it can be a daunting task to evaluate value propositions in debate and discussion of issues with equally compelling opposing sides. Fictions found in storybooks, on the stage, and on the silver screen, however, offer scenarios in which value propositions may be sorted out as low-stakes case studies. To help his students think critically about international relations and politics, Stephen Benedict Dyson has found that using the fictional realities of three different television and cable programs, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, and Game of Thrones, so thoroughly engages his students in the classrooms that conversations frequently spill out into the hallways after class and onto Blackboard discussion groups. Students' strong grasp of these shows' events, themes, characters, and plot lines allow them to more easily understand the theory of international relations and politics and then translate that theory into contemporary political scenarios"--