'The Force of Star Wars: Examining the Epic' - Introducing an Online Course

Interested in an academic examination of the Star Wars saga? Dr. Amy H. Sturgis, a fellow fan and award-winning scholar, will be teaching a 12-week online course titled The Force of Star Wars: Examining the Epic via the Mythgard Institute. The course also includes a live guest appearance and Q&A with Star Wars author John Jackson Miller (Kenobi, A New Dawn).

Here is an outline of the course schedule:

The Force of Star Wars will meet Tuesday and Friday (primary lecture and closing session) from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm (UTC-5)
Week 1 (August 24 – 28):
The Saga Begins
Reading: How Star Wars Conquered the Universe: The Past, Present, and Future of a Multibillion Dollar Franchise by Chris Taylor (2014), Introduction-Chapter 5
Week 2 (August 31 – September 4):
Inspirations and Influences
Viewing: Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe (1940)
Reading: How Star Wars Conquered the Universe (2014), Chapters 6-8
Week 3 (September 7 – 11):
A New Hope
Viewing: Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)
Reading: How Star Wars Conquered the Universe (2014), Chapters 9-14
Week 4 (September 14 – 18):
The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars Conquers Radio
Viewing: Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Listening: Star Wars: The Original Radio Drama (1981)
Reading: How Star Wars Conquered the Universe (2014), Chapter 15
Week 5 (September 21 – 25):
Return of the Jedi
Viewing: Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (1983)
Reading: How Star Wars Conquered the Universe (2014), Chapters 16-18
Week 6 (September 28 – October 2):
The Extended Universe and Fandom
Reading: Star Wars: Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn (1991)
Reading: How Star Wars Conquered the Universe (2014), Chapter 19
Viewing: Troops (1997, online)
Week 7 (October 5 – 9):
The Phantom Menace
Viewing: Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (1999)
Reading: How Star Wars Conquered the Universe (2014), Chapters 20-22
Week 8 (October 12 – 16):
Attack of the Clones
Viewing: Star Wars: Attack of the Clones (2002)
Reading: How Star Wars Conquered the Universe (2014), Chapter 23
Week 9 (October 19 – 23):
Revenge of the Sith
Viewing: Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Reading: How Star Wars Conquered the Universe (2014), Chapters 24-25
Week 10 (October 26 – 30):
Clone Wars, Rebels, and the New Canon
Reading: Star Wars: A New Dawn by John Jackson Miller (2014)
Reading: How Star Wars Conquered the Universe (2014), Chapters 26-Conclusion
Week 11 (November 2 – 6):
Why Star Wars?
Reading: Aftermath: Star Wars, The Journey to The Force Awakens by Chuck Wendig (2015), 1st half
Week 12 (November 9 – 13):
Looking Ahead to The Force Awakens
Reading: Aftermath (2015), 2nd half