The Impossible Pit: Satan, Hell, and Teaching with Doctor Who
The Doctor Who episodes "The Impossible Planet" and "The Satan Pit" provide students the opportunity to apply knowledge gained in introductory Western religion courses to science fiction. As part of the final exam for Introduction to Western Religions (taught as Virginia Polytech...
| Published in: | Implicit religion |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Equinox
[2015]
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| In: |
Implicit religion
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| Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains: | B
Doctor Who
/ Science fiction
/ Religion
/ University teaching
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| Further subjects: | B
SCIENCE fiction television programs
B Pedagogy B DOCTOR Who (TV program) B Doctor Who B Western Religion B Popular Culture B Television programs Plots, themes, etc B Religious Aspects B Satan B AUDIENCE response B Hell |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (doi) |
| Summary: | The Doctor Who episodes "The Impossible Planet" and "The Satan Pit" provide students the opportunity to apply knowledge gained in introductory Western religion courses to science fiction. As part of the final exam for Introduction to Western Religions (taught as Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA), the episodes were viewed in class, followed by a group discussion of the major themes. Students were then asked to examine religious themes within the episodes and to write three-page responses in which they applied the themes of Western religion. Their insightful responses far exceeded my expectations, and given the success of the experiment, I have continued to use these episodes in my classes. This article explores the assignment itself, the responses from students, and merits of using science-fiction, especially Doctor Who, in teaching religious studies. |
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| ISSN: | 1743-1697 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Implicit religion
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1558/imre.v18i4.29086 |