The School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership hosts many events that are available only to current Arizona State University students. These might include intimate lunch-and-learn type events with our lecture series speakers, lectures with visiting scholars or public figures visiting the school.
Some of these events might be specifically for civic and economic thought and leadership major or minor students. If you have any questions about an event, please email us at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you might have.
The Civic Awareness Award
The School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership has launched a new program for ASU students to earn recognition for attending events hosted by the school and its two centers. Learn more below.
SCETL Movie Night: "Gattaca"
In the world of Gattaca, genetic engineering has generated a society in which every member is categorized and determined by genetic origin. The film depicts a dystopian society in which one’s genomic scores determine one’s cast and fate in the society.
The film’s hero, Vincent, was conceived the old-fashioned way, without genetic engineering and, as a result, the society categorizes him as an “in-valid.” His dam is to be an astronaut, but he is fated by his genes to be a janitor. Vincent impersonates a “valid” but is in danger of discovery prior to his first space flight.
Can technology produce such a world? What happens to individual freedom when and if technology catches up to the dystopic society we see depicted in Gattaca? What are the social and legal implications of a world in which parents can select the characteristics of their children from appearance to talent? Will the result be a scientifically sanctioned caste system?
Does the existence of genetic engineering guarantee a dangerously unequal dystopia? Or would American political principles that protect equal liberty and equality remain in effect, and safeguard against inequality brought about by such technology?