First Annual
Social Fiction Conference

Session One: 11:30-12:30

LOST: Is the island a utopia of cultural awareness, or a reinforcer of mainland stereotypes?

Cultural diversity through the focus of the LOST television show. Participants will engage in an open discussion based on reflective questions and seek to determine the strengths and weaknesses of LOST as a model for presenting cultural diversity. Participants will walk away with specific tips and tools to initiate discussion about diversity issues with their usual LOST-watching crowd.

Exploring class, on a walk around Hogwarts

Participants will engage in an activity where they complete a task as a group from Harry Potter i.e. (Muggles, Wizards, squibs, etc.). Participants will then be led in a discussion that examines the use of the class system in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books, paying particular attention to the way it affects the treatment and social status of the characters. What is the relationship between class and tradition and wizarding bloodlines? How does this relate to our real life corollaries?

Kashimashi: An exploration of Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation in comics

This discussion will look at sexuality and gender identity through Mako Komao's Kashimashi. After a brief introduction of the story, students will participate in a discussion about gender identity and it's relationship to sexuality in the story.

Session Two: 1:45-2:45 PM

Addicts, Addiction, and Society in Philip K. Dick's A Scanner Darkly

This workshop will examine Philip K. Dick's A Scanner Darkly to investigate the ways in which addicts are disenfranchised, criminalized and even demonized by society, why/how this happens and who benefits from it; to explore the reasons why people become addicted, particularly with regard to society's "norms" of expected and acceptable behavior; to characterize the private world of the addict, the demimonde of addicts, dealers, narcs, and the larger society they all inhabit as dystopias; to examine the role of law enforcement, government, and corporations; to understand society's role in and responsibility for addicted people.

Global Politics in Babylon 5

Participants will explore the governments of Babylon 5 through reflection questions and discussion, investigating the roles that different species play and their internal struggles. Topics to be covered will include the Minarbi caste system, the oppression of the Narn by the Centauri, and the relationship of Earth to the Human Mars colony.

How Nintendo Perpetuates Stereotypes

Has Nintendo perpetuated, or combated gender roles through the time of popularity? Participants will have an open discussion about gender roles in Mario, Legend of Zelda, and Metroid, focusing on gender stereotypes and their progression through Nintendo's development.

Session Three: 3:00-4:00PM

Freedom Fighting or Terrorism? Examining Just Political Struggle through V for Vendetta

In this workshop, we will examine the movie, V for Vendetta, which depicts a futuristic dystopian, United Kingdom and one man's fight for sociopolitical change. Through interactive activities using film clips, we will address questions such as: What is the ideal response to oppressive laws, governmental structures, and/or regimes? Can violence be justified or should struggles for justice be non-violent? Do the ends always justify the means?

Picard's Prime Directive

This workshop will discuss how the Prime Directive would affect Earth today. After a brief overview of the Prime Directive from Captain Picard's point of view, participants will engage in open discussion based on reflective questions and clips from the show that seek to determine whether the ideas of The Prime Directive apply to our world.

Discrimination in Battlestar Galactica

This workshop will explore racism and identity through the current television show Battlestar Galactica. This interactive workshop will engage participants to discuss the importance of collaboration and equality in the face of differences.