At the fascinating intersection of cultural studies and social psychology aspects of the preoccupation with
exocultures and UFOtherness (space-based figures of radical difference in the sense of Lewis & Kahn 2010)
will be examined. The course will dive deep into the narratives that bridge the real and the imagined.
Key topics include:
We aim to uncover the role these narratives play within societal discourse and examine the psychological motivations behind belief systems such as conspiracy theories relating to Earth and outer space, such as Flat Earth theory or Raelian beliefs.
The course emphasizes practical engagement through project work. Students will have opportunities to conduct field research, participate in interviews, and produce content in diverse formats such as podcasts, films, and theater productions. This program is particularly focused on engaging students from Romance, German, and English-speaking countries, fostering a rich, multicultural dialogue on these pressing topics.
Key topics include:
- Analysis of the narrative interplay between factual reporting and fictional storytelling in human-alien encounters.
- Exploration of the line between engaging science fiction and controversial conspiracy theories that shape public perceptions of space.
- Comparative study of how various space programs, both public and private, envision interactions with extraterrestrial cultures, referred to as exocultures.
We aim to uncover the role these narratives play within societal discourse and examine the psychological motivations behind belief systems such as conspiracy theories relating to Earth and outer space, such as Flat Earth theory or Raelian beliefs.
The course emphasizes practical engagement through project work. Students will have opportunities to conduct field research, participate in interviews, and produce content in diverse formats such as podcasts, films, and theater productions. This program is particularly focused on engaging students from Romance, German, and English-speaking countries, fostering a rich, multicultural dialogue on these pressing topics.