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Lecture Library

The University of California in Popular Media
by Curtis Marez

Films and TV shows representing different UC campuses

This collection of clips and commentary, from the silent era to the present, focuses on works filmed at UC campuses (and in two cases at California State Colleges).  Each clip and commentary raises questions about the popular dreams, desires and fears associated with public universities and their incorporation of various kinds of difference.

Imagining UC Students: The Blot (1921) by Lois Weber (1921) A silent film depiction of University of California student demographics.
Public Universities Make Dreams of the Future Concrete: Conquest of the Planet of the Apes by J. Lee Thompson (1972) The opening credits for the SF film Conquest of the Planet of the Apes was filmed at UC Irvine and represents a revealing interpretation of dreams for public education embedded in the school's architecture.
Dystopian Science Fiction and the Death of Public Education: The Running Man (1987) by Paul Michael Glasser (1987) A former policeman and escaped convict (Schwarzenegger) is released from his high-tech chains and learns that in the future public education has been replaced by state run TV.
A Dream about Public Education: Junior by Ivan Reitman (1994) The opening credits for Junior, filmed at UC Berkeley and reflecting on the significance of public education.
Professor Hesse Defends his “Research”: Junior by Ivan Reitman (1994) Dr. Hesse wrestles with a grasping dean in ways that reflect differences over the meaning and value of university research.
The Racialization of University Space: Higher Learning by John Singleton (1996) The opening scene of Higher Learning presents a revealing view of the racialization of university space.
A College Student Presents a Theory of Power: Higher Learning by John Singleton (1995) A student presents a theory of power at a dorm party.
Writing a College Paper: Higher Learning by John Singleton (1996) Students discuss their papers with each other and a professor.
Fascist education in Starship Troopers by Paul Verhoeven (1997) A more compact and re-transcoded video of a futuristic classroom where a teacher and students discuss their fascist social order.
Feminist Detection at UCSD: Veronica Mars by Rob Thomas (2006) Veronica Mars brings her detective skills to bear on campus crimes.
Majoring in Criminology by Rob Thomas (2006) Opening of Veronica Mars episode where the title character attends criminology class on her "Spanish-style" college campus.