Unacknowledged or Galactic Messengers Discussion - movie review

1. For this discussion, please watch one of the two following films:

A. Unacknowledged: An Exposé of the Greatest Secret in Human History (Links to an external site.) (note: requires Hulu subscription). 

After viewing the film, please post your reaction in at least 300 words and reply to at least one other student's post. Use the following to frame your reaction:

1. What is the Disclosure Project, and who are its primary participants? What claims about UFOs and the government are made by the interviewees? How do Steven Greer and others in the film view the U.S. government in general?

2. Conspiracy theories--regardless of their veracity--often contain a certain underlying "cultural logic" to them. In other words, they often speak to legitimate underlying fears people may have about people in power. With that in mind, how do Steven Greer and others in the film view the U.S. government in general? What underlying fears (e.g., military industrial complex) inform their narrative?

3. How does the film present UFOs as a panacea or "cure" for so many of our social problems?

OR

B. Galactic Messengers (Links to an external site.). It is available to view on Alexander Street

After viewing the film, please post your reaction in at least 300 words and reply to at least one other student's post. Use the following to frame your reaction:

1. What is the One World Family Commune, and what general spiritual beliefs do they espouse? What role do flying saucers and prophecy play in their beliefs?

2. From Erich von Däniken (Links to an external site.) to Sun Ra (Links to an external site.), space has often been conceptualized as both a utopian ideal and a place for human liberation. How does the OWFC view space in a similar framework?

3. How can the movement be viewed as both a rejection of traditional Christianity as well as a spiritual self-help movement? With growing disaffection in the 21st century, do you so some people returning to these types of movements?

Due Tuesday, October 20th by 3:30PM PST