Star Wars begins with its famous title sequence, setting the story in the ancient past of a remote galaxy. Yet the phenomenal success of the film, the franchise, and its "expanded universe" is based upon its reflection of historical and cultural milieus here on modern-day Earth. This collection of new essays examine various ways in which George Lucas's saga touches upon contemporary social and political issues. Topics include the impact of the film's score on musical genres, feminism and NASA, the epic mimicry of Western-African and Bedouin cultural motifs, gender identity construction, Cold...

This collection of new essays explores the characters, themes, and various facets that make up Star Trek: The Next Generation. Chapters examine the structural foundations of Federation philosophy; shifts in foreign policy; scrutinizes key characters including Jean-Luc Picard, Data, Deanna Troi, Beverly Crusher, and Tasha Yar; and unpacks textures of the show.