Prof. Sandie Bisciglia taught a J-Term class examining the theology of science fiction.

J-Term class probes religious themes of familiar movies, shows

Martians descended on a Lentz Hall classroom as Prof. Sandie Bisciglia played Orson Welles' infamous radio adaptation of "The War of the Worlds" for the students in her January Term class, Sacred Space: Theology of Science Fiction.

With the lights dimmed, she asked them to imagine hearing the broadcast in 1938 when it aired. Earlier, the students watched two movie versions of the classic H.G. Wells novel.

The final project they were assigned was to compare the treatment of religion in each adaptation and analyze it based on the historical context. Prof. Bisciglia said it's notable that the novel featured a deranged clergyman while a 1953 film version treated him more sympathetically, almost as a martyr. The 2005 movie starring Tom Cruise, by contrast, largely left out the faith component.

An admitted sci-fi buff, Prof. Bisciglia said she offered the class in part as a fun alternative for those who couldn't go on one of Carthage's J-Term study tours. The movies, television shows and readings have spurred thoughtful discussions, including some on the meaning of life. Literally.

After watching movies about robots with aspirations of humanity such as "Bicentennial Man" and "A.I. Artificial Intelligence," the class examined what defines living beings. Much like major religions, the genre is filled with parables. 

"The story itself is less important than what it's trying to teach," Prof. Bisciglia said.

Another topic that arose was what impact "first contact" with extraterrestrial beings would have on religious beliefs. Some faiths envision that as an apocalyptic event.

The class was a no-brainer for Jakob Michaelis, '15, a biology and neuroscience major from Kenosha. He's both a science-fiction aficionado and an active participant in his church.

He was interested in the apparent Christ symbolism of Spock's death in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" and the character's return later in the series. While his friends still only see simple fun in those movies, Jakob now sees them in a new light.

"It tends to be a very moral, ethical genre, because it's dealing with encounters with 'the other,'" said Prof. Bisciglia, who is teaching the J-Term class for the first time.

An assistant professor of religion, she said it was clear from their journal entries that not all of the 34 students in the class are convinced of the existence of a supreme being. The variety of perspectives generated some thought-provoking writing, Prof. Bisciglia said.

Not that she needed any more evidence to appreciate J-Term. She finds class participation especially strong and feels a strong bond with students when it's the only course on their schedules.

"I get 100 percent of their academic time," she said, "which is mega-cool."