That '70s class

John Tenuto is welcoming back Kotter, disco and Rocky in his latest pop-culture-driven class at the College of Lake County.

Tenuto, 38, who has been a student favorite at CLC since he started his Star Wars-themed classes, has decided to explore the "Me Decade" this semester.

"That '70s Class" compares pop culture from then to the way it is now, often surprising Tenuto's students, many of whom were born in the 1980s.

"Many of the students know the references to the 1970s but haven't lived through it," Tenuto said. "We're looking at several big themes this semester, including how the '70s were the last great era of pop culture."

That notion has prompted debates between Tenuto and his students, who contend that if "American Idol" isn't considered pop culture, they don't know what is.

Tenuto argues pop culture is now customizable. Because of DVDs and DVRs, people don't gather around the television as a family to watch their favorite shows at specific times, he said.

Tenuto said that in terms of looking at society, the 1970s is a perfect decade to study.

"It is the most comparable to today because you can still go back and ask people about what happened during the decade," he said. "At the same time, it's also a completely different world."

Tenuto, who was 10 years old in 1979, said his favorite shows from that era are "Happy Days" and "Welcome Back Kotter."

In fact, Gabe Kaplan's portrayal of a Brooklyn high school teacher in "Welcome Back Kotter" has been a professional inspiration for Tenuto.

"I became a teacher because of two fictional characters, Yoda and (Gabe Kaplan in) 'Welcome Back Kotter,' " he said. "That character made learning fun, and that is what I tried to do. Who didn't want a teacher like that?"

Tenuto must be succeeding. He received CLC's Outstanding Faculty award in 2005.

Tenuto is also an internationally recognized expert on the Star Wars and Star Trek TV and film series and has done extensive research on both the series and the fans.

Many of Tenuto's students in "That '70s Class" said Thursday they are there because they've had him as a teacher before and love his style.

"He makes us look at society as a whole and really makes you think about things," said Bridget Bell, 20. "Plus, I like the '70s-era music."

Leah Rayner, 58, is taking the class with her 25-year-old daughter Patty.

"I was born in 1950, so I can clearly remember a lot of the things we talk about happening," Rayner said. "I think the most interesting thing is the number of different experiences people bring to the class. Mr. Tenuto makes sociology come alive."

'70s: Unique teacher was

inspired by Yoda, Kotter