Star Wars in the Public Square: The Clone Wars as Political Dialogue

by Derek R. Sweet, Donald E. Palumbo (Editor), C.W. Sullivan III (Editor)

Overview

Speculative science fiction, with its underlying socio-political dialogue, represents an important intersection of popular culture and public discourse. As a pop culture text, the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars offers critical commentary on contemporary issues, marking a moment of interplay whereby author and audience come together in what Russian philosopher Mikhail Bakhtin called collaborative meaning making. This book critically examines the series as a voice in the political dialogues concerning human cloning, torture, just war theory, peace and drone warfare.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786477647
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Publication date:	12/15/2015
Series:	Critical Explorations in Science Fiction and Fantasy , #50
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Derek R. Sweet is an associate professor of communication studies at Luther College and writes, primarily, about the intersection of rhetoric, popular culture, and politics. He lives in Decorah, Iowa.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Preface
Introduction: Star Wars and Politics
One—Science Fiction, Rhetoric and Dialogue in the Public Square
Two—Congress and the Clone Troopers
Three—Torture and the Path to the Dark Side
Four—Obama, ­Obi-Wan and the Contradiction of Fighting a Just War
Five—Guardians of Peace
Six—Attack of the Drones!
Seven—The Clone Wars, Dialogue and the Public Square
Chapter Notes
Works Cited
Index

Editorial Reviews

Sweet’s book is a significant development in communication and media studies...it tells the story of humanity in an appealing way to mass audiences”—H-Net Reviews.

From the Publisher