Battlestar Galactica

Emma Reust Senior Project Proposal 9/21/12

Guiding Question: How can Battlestar Galactica be used to understand the values of
society?

Supporting Questions:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. What historical events are referenced or played out in Battlestar Galactica? How are civil and human rights issues explored in Battlestar Galactica? How accurate is the science in Battlestar Galactica and how does it affect the storyline? How is the conflict between different ideologies addressed in Battlestar Galactica? How is the idea of morals addressed in Battlestar Galactica? What political systems are shown in Battlestar Galactica?

Reasons for Selecting the Topic:

I chose to do my senior project on a sci-fi show for a number of reasons. One reason is whenever I watch a TV show I have a habit of over thinking the show and I think it would be interesting to compare my ideas to the ideas of other pop-culture enthusiasts. Another reason why I want to use this topic for project is that I enjoy analyzing any form of media and this project seems like a great chance for me to be able to do so. The show that I have chosen to analyze for my senior project is the reimaged Battlestar Galactica series. Battlestar Galactica is one of the more well thought out science fiction shows that I have watched and this provides enough material for me to analyze and create a great final project.

Project Description:
For this project I will be doing an in-depth study of Battlestar Galactica focusing on the science of the show, the symbolism of the show and the human rights issues that are addressed in the show. In order to do this study I plan on rewatching the series, watching a U.N. conference about the show and reading a number of books that have been written about it. The books that I plan to read are Battlestar Galactica and Philosophy: Knowledge Here Begins Out There, Battlestar Galactica and Philosophy: Mission Accomplished or Mission Frakked Up?, Battlestar Galactica: Investigating Flesh, Spirit, and Steel, The Science of Battlestar Galactica and So Say We All: An Unauthorized Collection of Thoughts and Opinions on Battlestar Galactica. By completing this project I hope to improve my research skills, critical thinking skills and analyzing skills. With my research skills I hope to improve on both my primary and secondary research skills. I also hope to work on and perfect my ability to finish a long term, selfmotivated project like this one. The last thing that I want to learn for this project is how to write a paper and give a verbal presentation about a complex topic in an understandable manner.

Main Project Tasks:

Proposal Mini-poster Background research Rewatch series Write research paper Create final product Presentation

Final Product Description:

One idea that I have for my final product is to create a mini-book based off of the books that I am using for my research. The book would be made up of three separate parts or chapters. The chapters would be about the three topics that I am studying within Battlestar Galactica, the science of the show, the symbolism of the show and the human rights issue that are addressed in the show. The chapters would be made up of mini-essays that I have written about the show. I also hope to give a presentation about what I have learned and written.

Schedule:
First Semester: Read and take notes on: Battlestar Galactica and Philosophy: Knowledge Here Begins Out There Battlestar Galactica and Philosophy: Mission Accomplished or Mission Frakked Up? Battlestar Galactica: Investigating Flesh, Spirit, and Steel The Science of Battlestar Galactic So Say We All: An Unauthorized Collection of Thoughts and Opinions on Battlestar Galactica Write research paper Start work on mini-essays Second Semester: Finish mini-essays Create book using mini-essay Create presentation