Star Wars fans interested in filmmaking might want to check out the University of Akron.
According to a report by Ohio.com, the University of Akron is offering a course which requires students to watch all the nine films of the Star Wars franchise. Associate Professor of Juan Contreras created the Films of Star Wars course for the University of Akron School of Communication.
Contreras' elective course is set to help students explore history, mythology, religion, and culture through the Star Wars films, and it isn't necessary for one to be a fan of the franchise to enroll.
"Stories are a reflection of our culture, our concerns, our struggles, our triumphs and our dreams," said the associate professor. "A class like this can help students appreciate that, and learn some insights that can help them become more effective storytellers."
Contreras hopes that students will learn to look at the different roles of minorities and women through the Star Wars films, saying that his class will "analyze their relevance in the world today."
"Traditionally, oppressive regimes have attempted to force minority groups into submission, and those groups become second-class citizens," Contreras explains. "In The Last Jedi you see The First Order, much like the Empire, mainly led by white males, while the Rebellion has female leadership, and even an alien admiral."
The Star Wars franchise might be set in a galaxy far, far away, but there is certainly a lot to learn from the franchise. After all, the franchise was built to reflect real-world socio-political struggles.
Lucasfilm's latest installment, Star Wars: The Last Jedi is currently screening in cinemas.
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