The Prime Elective

The official title is Comparative Literature 174E, but it should come as no surprise that this class is known as “Star Trek 101.” About 35 students at the University of California Riverside are receiving credit for examining race, politics and sexual relations as portrayed in more than 30 years of “Star Trek” on television and film. Assistant professor Daniel Bernardi usually lectures the first hour and shows parts of a “Star Trek” television episode or movie during the second hour. The third hour is set aside for discussion. Last week, students discussed masculinity as demonstrated by Capt. James T. Kirk, whom Bernardi described as an “equal opportunity oppressor of women of all colors.”