Introduction to Research Topics Brave New World Introduction to Research Topics
Utopia Utopia vs. Dystopia 1:39-2:00 First used by Sir Thomas More in 1516. Refers to an imagined society where “everything is awesome.” Utopia Utopia vs. Dystopia 1:39-2:00
Utopia in Real life A utopian society in real life is usually a group of people who have separated from mainstream society and chosen to come together with common goals or lifestyles. Shaker communities “Hippie” communes Factory towns Planned cities and towns
Utopia in Literature A utopian society in literature is one that has solved societal problems - like violence, hunger, equality, poverty, environmental concerns, etc. May be portrayed as a dystopia - where the “solution” of the utopia has caused additional and/or worse problems. Utopia by Sir Thomas More Plato’s Republic Ecotopia by Ernest Callenbach
Plato’s Republic and Visions of Utopia Paper Topics Plato’s Republic and Visions of Utopia Plato’s Republic Movie Trailer EPCOT Vision (1966) 10:19-12:38
Government and Society Governments shape and influence society - through laws, policies, economics, infrastructure, public safety, education and even maintaining social structures. Government and Society
Paper Topics What is civilization? Planned Economies vs. Free-Market Economies Caste Systems
Civilization What is Civilization? from Crash Course 1:25-2:30
Planned vs. Free-Market Economies Crash Course Economic Systems :52-5:36
Caste and Class Systems Social strata based on heredity - a person is born into a specific caste or class, may not ever change their caste or class, and must adhere to rules dictating livelihood, marriage, and etiquette. Caste system in India (:22-2:11) Royalty and Aristocracy
Individual and Society Individuals must learn to function as part of a society - interacting with other people and systems is crucial. Individual and Society
Paper Topics Cultural and Societal Norms Social Engineering and Social Conditioning Subliminal Propaganda and “Sleep Learning”
Cultural and Societal Norms Cultural norms are the standards we live by. They are the shared expectations and rules that guide behavior of people within social groups. Cultural norms are learned and reinforced from parents, friends, teachers and others while growing up in a society. Greetings Food Etiquette and basic behavior Customs and rituals
Cultural and Societal Norms Greetings Around the World 1:15 Foreign Cultural Norms that Americans Find Odd 2:15 American Hand Gestures that Will Get You in Trouble 2:00
Social Engineering and Social Conditioning Social Influence from Crash Course 9:07
Subliminal Propaganda and Hypnopaedia Hidden Messages in Corporate Logos :40 The Island scene :34 10 Subliminal Messages 5:00
Technology and Society Technology - from the wheel to the computer - has been affecting society for good and ill for millennia. Technology and Society
Paper Topics Genetic Engineering / Cloning Drug Use and Abuse Technology and Virtual Reality
Genetic Engineering and Cloning Human Cloning from Science Channel 3:00 Dolly the Sheep from NYT RetroReport Genetically Modified Humans from SciShow 5:00
Drug Use and Abuse Explain it to Me: Addiction from CNN 3:00
Technology and Virtual Reality How Technology Has Changed the World Virtual Reality from Mashable 3:00
What topics interest you? It’s a Brave New World! What topics interest you?