CONN 120 | From Cascadia to Arrakis: Environment, Politics and Place in Dune

The novel Dune by Frank Herbert is widely recognized as a foundational text for modern science fiction. Less known are its origins in the Pacific Northwest, as Tacoma native Herbert sought to address issues of climate change, resistance and conflict that were unfolding around him. This course engages Dune through a multidisciplinary lens. Students will examine the interplay between such topics as ecology, locality, empire, and identity, tracing the narrative's origins, influence, and eventual transition to film. Through in-depth discussions, activities and projects, students will explore Arrakis' ecological intricacies, scrutinize the political and social structures of empires, and delve into nuanced explorations of identity and power. Bridging literature, politics, environmental studies and cultural analysis, the course provides a comprehensive understanding of Dune's themes from their origins in our region's past, to a narrative set across multiple worlds in our distant future.