Two Men Enter, One Man Leaves. Dystopias, Post-Apocalypses and Science Fiction Films as Didactic Tools for Teaching

Abstract

This publication analyses the potential of the use of science fiction films, in particular the post-apocalyptic and dystopian sub-genres, for the teaching of human geography in secondary education. After a brief review of the usefulness of the use of cinema and in particular of the science fiction genre for teaching social sciences in education, three films belonging to these categories (Akira, Children of Men and District 9) are highlighted with their corresponding activities. This paper ends with an annotated list of films suitable for showing in the “Geography and History” classroom of Third of ESO (the Spanish Compulsory Secondary Education), equivalent to the United States’ 9th grade High School or Britain’s Year 10.