April 25, 2018

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Star Wars and Star Trek have an equally ardent fan base, but in geekdom’s biggest battle, who really comes out ahead? Join Oregon State University faculty members Randall Milstein (College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science and Honors College) and Joseph Orosco (College of Liberal Arts) as they explore the Star Wars and Star Trek universes and the intellectual, spiritual and political visions created in those franchises.

Milstein is an instructor and astronomer-in-residence for the Oregon NASA Space Grant Consortium at Oregon State University. In his spare time, he photographs cosplayers  (costumed attendees) at ‘Comic Con’ style conventions. He is also an ardent Star Wars fan.

Orosco is a professor of philosophy and peace studies at OSU and has taught two philosophy-based Star Trek courses, including a course this term titled “Great Ideas in Philosophy: Star Trek and Philosophy.”

Milstein and Orosco will take turns describing their favorite universe and what it offers in terms of visions of and for the future of humanity, focusing on the role of technology, spirituality, social development and political vision. An audience discussion will follow.

Trek-Wars: Visions of/for Humanity takes place at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 3, in the Memorial Union Horizon Room and is free and open to the public. Cosplay costumes, especially tied to the theme, are encouraged. Pizza will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

The event is cosponsored by Allied Students for Another Politics. For more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/169601323738482/

General OSU

About Oregon State University: As one of only three land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the nation, Oregon State serves Oregon and the world by working on today’s most pressing issues. Our more than 35,000 students come from across the globe, and our programs operate in every Oregon county. Oregon State receives more research funding than all of the state’s comprehensive public universities combined. At our campuses in Corvallis and Bend, marine research center in Newport, OSU Portland Center and award-winning Ecampus, we excel at shaping today’s students into tomorrow’s leaders.

Story By: 

Theresa Hogue, 541-737-0786; [email protected]

 

Source: 

Joseph Orosco, [email protected]; 541-737-4335

Multimedia: 

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