CLC professors to cover 'Star Trek' collectibles in library presentation

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of "Star Trek" with a lively, trivia-filled presentation that journeys from 1966 and the earliest "Star Trek" collectibles to today, including merchandise from the new film, "Star Trek: Beyond." The event, which also will include photographs of never-released prototypes and rare items from around the world, will take place Wednesday, July 27 from 6:30-8 p.m. at Cook Memorial Library District's Aspen Drive Library, 701 Aspen Dr. in Vernon Hills.

The presenters are Maria Jose and John Tenuto, College of Lake County sociology professors. John Tenuto received the College of Lake County 2013 Outstanding Full-time Faculty award and has given dozens of public presentations and media interviews on the sociology of the "Star Trek" film and television shows.

"'Star Trek' is sociology," John Tenuto explained. "What sociology does is look at social groups and trends, to find out how people behave in groups, as opposed to individual behavior. 'Star Trek' does the same thing, through allegory and metaphor. Every episode is about the human condition, and it becomes a great conversation tool. Students who may not offer an opinion on race relations or other issues in the real world may give an opinion on the same issue in a fictitious world."

The Tenutos write frequently for www.StarTrek.com and are well-known experts on the TV and movie series. At a July "Star Trek" convention in Vulcan, Alberta, they gave a presentation on the history of the series as seen through newspaper articles. In September, they will present on collectibles at a "Star Trek" convention in Rosemont, Ill.