Course description
Star Wars is a fictional saga set “a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.” Star Trek is about “exploring strange new worlds.” Despite the fantastical settings and storylines in these franchises, both Star Wars and Star Trek teach us lessons about how our own world works. This course explores the lessons that Star Wars, Star Trek (and other science fiction stories) teach us about a field of study called political economy. “Political economy” examines how economics and politics are connected and interact with one another. If you are a fan of Star Wars, Star Trek, science fiction generally, or you are curious about how economics and politics interact, this is the course for you!
Course details
Credit transfer
Have you taken this course or an equivalent course? Contact the Credit Transfer Office.
Registration dates
Not all courses are offered each term.
Spring 2026 registration opens March 2, 2026.Fall 2026 registration opens June 29, 2026.
Delivery options
In person: classes held in person on a campus/site in a classroom/lab/shop/studio for the course duration
Online - Asynchronous: 100% online delivery, no scheduled day or time course requirements with the instructor, assigned due dates
Online - Synchronous: 100% online delivery, scheduled day and time course requirements with the instructor, assigned due dates
Hybrid: any combination of in person, timetabled, on campus, online, and hyflex delivery