Star Wars Social Studies Resources

Overview

Recent Additions

Throughout the Star Wars series one can find countless historical and social science references to our world. Whether it's Anakin battling with his inner demons or Emperor Palpatine's "Hitler-esque" rise to power, you are certain to find new and exciting ways to make learning Social Studies more exciting!

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Essential Resource

Star Wars and History

The epic stories of Star Wars seem far, far away, but they are actually based on events a lot closer to home. The Death Star is capable of destroying entire planets, but here on earth we've created and used our own weapons of mass destruction. Palpatine rose from a humble background on Naboo to become the leader of the first Galactic Empire, a story reminiscent of some of history's greatest tyrants. In their new book, Star Wars and History, editors Nancy Reagin and Janice Liedl explore these ideas and more. This unique and exciting book was written using the notes of Star Wars creator, George Lucas and the historical concepts that inspired his stories.

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Featured Connection

Counter Espionage – Executing a Trap

In Vision of Hope, the Rebels discover a hidden message in a Holonet broadcast from Senator Gall Trayvis. In his message, Trayvis alludes to a meeting of Rebels in Lothal’s Old Republic Senate Building. As the heroes arrive at the Senate building, they realize the Empire has also discovered the secret meeting and will likely capture the defiant senator.

In Vision of Hope, the crew of the Ghost learns that their beloved hero, Senator Gall Trayvis, is an Imperial double agent. Throughout warfare, double agents have been used to acquire inside information. A double agent is someone who appears to be loyal to one side (A), but is secretly working with the enemy (B) to spy on their opponent (A). Essentially, a double agent plays for both sides, but is only truthfully loyal to one side.

Government Resources

Geography Resources



Psychology Resources

Links

Star Wars Identities



The Psychology of the Force
Matthew Winter's article on the Psychology within Star Wars




Star Wars: Identities Exhibition



Be sure to check out Lucasfilm's latest travelling exhibition, Star Wars: Identities. This exciting exhibition asks the all important question, "What forces shape YOU?" Using the characters of Star Wars, learn how the people we meet, where we come from, and the choices we make define who we are. The exhibition includes interactive media where guests can create their own hero and see how the choices they make determine who they become. Thrilling props, models, and costumes from all six films are also featured in the exhibition.


Learn more or plan your trip by visiting the exhibition's official website www.StarWarsIdentities.com.

World Religion Resources



Current Events

In this section you will find current event articles that relate social studies and Star Wars. Educators can use these current events to connect the events of Star Wars with the present day. The most recent social studies articles are shown below.


Force of Fashion: Stories Told on Rebel Helmets

blog.starwars.com
9/1/2016

Every pilot has a story to tell. Over the past few years, we’ve been introduced to an assortment of pilots from the Rebellion, the Empire, and beyond, each with their own story and reasoning for joining the fight. Some people are born into the job: Snap Wexley and Poe Dameron both followed in their mothers’ footsteps to become heroic pilots of the Resistance. Luke Skywalker unknowingly inherited his father’s keen sense for flying, and even went toe-to-toe with the man who was once Anakin Skywalker during his first major space-bound dogfight (oh, and he blew up the first Death Star, too). For others, like Ciena Ree and Thane Kyrell from Lost Stars or Greer Sonnel from Bloodline, simply find their calling in the cockpit because it comes naturally to them.


The Way of the Warrior

blog.starwars.com
8/26/2016

The Star Wars universe is populated with a variety of interesting characters and species, many of whom are considered to be renowned warriors. Several stand out from the rest of the galaxy, including the Wookiees, Trandoshans, Tusken Raiders, and the humans of Mandalore. Each has a rugged reputation, but their ferocity in combat is tempered by the cultural imperatives present in the ancestors of their people.


Operation Desert Storm Was Not Won By Smart Weaponry Alone

Smithsonian.com
1/20/2016

Technology has long been a deciding factor on the battlefield, from powerful artillery to new weaponry to innovations in the seas and the skies. Twenty-five years ago was no different, as the United States and its allies, proved overwhelmingly successful in the Persian Gulf War. A coalition of U.S. Army Apache attack helicopters, cruise missiles from naval vessels, and Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk “stealth fighters” soundly broke through Saddam Hussein’s army defenses in Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm, which became known as the “100-hours war.”


'Star Wars: The Force Awakens:' How to visit stunning location

cnn.com
12/29/2015

The blockbuster final scene of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" ends atop a spectacular mountain island with the heroic Rey (Daisy Ridley) extending a light saber to Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) for what feels like an eternity. But the scene leaves fans with many questions. Why does Luke look like he's been sleeping under a park bench for 30 years?


How ‘Star Wars’ Shaped the U.S. Military

thedailybeast.com
12/28/2015

Now that J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars original trilogy remix The Force Awakens has been unleashed, transforming a new generation of cinemagoers into Nick Winters at The Powder Room, fanboys have begun to dissect its myriad inspirations. We know, for instance, that like George Lucas’s initial journey to a galaxy far, far away, with its stormtroopers, Werhmacht-esque Imperial officers, and Triumph of the Will ending, the evil First Order of Abrams’s film was heavily influenced by the Nazis. So it’s a bit ironic then that Adam Driver, the actor who plays Awakens’ volumized villain Kylo Ren, is a former U.S. Marine. Nevertheless, the link between Star Wars and America’s Armed Forces extends much further than that.


'Star Wars' Social Science: Fiction as Religion, Politics, and Psychosis

inverse.com
12/14/2015

Regardless of the galaxy or the faraway land where your favorite piece of fiction takes place, the “otherness” that attracts you must be couched in a sense of familiarity. Decisions and struggles need to ring true in dual contexts — the narrative and the consumers’ brains — for a fantastic tale to resonate. This is the reason that fictionalized worlds have proven rich soil for social science academics. The Dark Knight and Harry Potter were researchers’ favorite touchstones over the last decade, but Star Wars came first — and proved academically relevant in a very different way.


Women Were Some of the Fiercest Samurai Warriors Ever

Smithsonian.com
9/10/2015

In ancient Japan, battle was typically reserved for male samurai. That all changed when Takeko Nakano and her sister, Yuko, decided to fight for their clan's independence after a deadly village invasion.


How Physics Drove the Design of the Atomic Bombs Dropped on Japan

Smithsonian.com
8/5/2015

For many scientists involved in the Manhattan Project, the race to build an atomic bomb was a grim battle between life and death. There was no denying the technology's destructive force or its inevitable civilian toll. After the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which took place 70 years ago this week, scientific director J. Robert Oppenheimer famously recalled his feelings upon hearing the news, quoting from a Hindu text: "Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds."


Galactic Backpacking, Part 8: Visiting Real-World Tatooine, Part 2

blog.starwars.com
5/15/2015

When thinking about Tatooine, we all think of Tunisia as the real-world location. As covered in part four of this series, however, certain scenes were filmed much closer to Skywalker Ranch then one might expect. In this final installment (for now) of Galactic Backpacking, we continue our trip trough the US to visit these other Tatooine locations, and even take a look where the infamous Star Wars: The Holiday Special was filmed!


Galactic Backpacking, Visiting Real-World Endor and Naboo’s Great Grass Plains

blog.starwars.com
2/27/2015

Ewoks and Gungans, love them or hate them, are hugely important to the Star Wars saga — after all, both races were instrumental in overthrowing an evil regime. In this first part dealing with the shooting locations in the USA we will visit the places used to create their homeworlds of Endor and Naboo.