As reported by KFMB San Diego, A San Diego State University professor is using Star Trek: TOS episodes to teach his college students American history.

The first episode of "Star Trek" aired in 1966. Since then, there have been five television series, 11 movies, and now a college history class.

"It is a history class and ‘Star Trek' is just a vehicle for me to explore it," John Putman said.

Putman first taught "Star Trek, Culture and History" last semester.

"I do own a ‘Star Trek' uniform top, which I did put on for class the first day of class," Putman said.

The upper division history class explores how "Star Trek" reflects American culture and political beliefs over the past 40 years. In one scene from 1968, Captain Kirk kisses his black lieutenant, one of the first interracial kisses aired on television.

"It was a very controversial scene. Some southern stations would not show this episode originally," Putman said. (source KFMB San Diego)

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