Hello fellow STO-ers!

I've been doing a bit of research recently, and I thought I might include you guys too! I know how intelligent you all are, so I'd love to read your input on this topic. And before you ask, yes, I'm a fan of both Star Wars and Star Trek... but of course I love Star Trek more!

Now, try to eliminate any biases before discussing this please...

(Copy-pasted from some random Star Wars forum that I've been using.)
Thanks guys!!!!
"Good morning, everyone!
I'm not trying to start any arguments, but I do want to try and start an intelligent, compelling, and productive discussion on this topic.
I am currently working on a research project for my Master's program that involves which category of fiction Star Wars falls under.
What do you guys think? Is it purely Science Fiction? Do you agree with the classification of Space Opera, even though Space Opera is a relatively undefined or uncertain category? Or would you even go so far as to say that Star Wars could even be considered Fantasy?
I'm discussing only the original trilogy, if that information helps... primarily "A New Hope."
We have knights, swordplay, "magic" powers, good versus evil, etc. etc... So, in its very basic form, the plot line could easily fall under the category of Fantasy. I know that we do have space as a setting, aliens, distant worlds, space ships, futuristic weapons, and all of those Science Fiction pieces, but they are not necessarily a major part of the plot. They are simply things that the characters interact with throughout their journey. I'm focusing on the core plot elements here, not props and scenery. Please keep this in mind when deciding what to classify Star Wars under.

Thank you for your responses, I look forward to reading them!
Also, here is a link to the survey I have created for this project if you want to take that as well:
Is Star Wars Science Fiction? - Survey
All of these responses will be used to support the credible sources and articles that I will be using. This gives my project a more "personal" feel to it, and also provides me with statistical data to utilize in support/contrast of my thesis. Thanks again!"
Comments
There will be blood. Less glow batters more ponies!
Haha thanks for the response. Yes, I'm "excited" to see the results. I know they'll be interesting, but hopefully not too interesting! Star Trek fans are far superior to Star Wars fans, though, so I know we will all be capable of discussing this in a very compelling way.
Besides, I'm trying to prove that Star Wars should not be classified as Science Fiction here. I think we can all appreciate that on this forum.
I said more ponies!
*jumps onto Archie's back* YAW! *spurs*
Your premise for hosting this discussion is completely and scientifically flawed then. As a host or the responsible party for impartially gathering data is to be beyond opinion. You must lets the facts and evidence tell the story. in short, you need SCIENCE!
*transforms into a Global Hawk drone and hits Mach speeds in 20 seconds*
If she doesn't fall off from the sudden acceleration, she will once the Gs get to her.
Weeeeeee! You are almost as fast as my Spunicorn! Faster faster faster!
Just because it found an original way of presenting (largely ripping off fantasy, mythology, and Japanese cinema) doesn't mean it's less science fiction.
It's like saying Firefly isn't science fiction because they have pistols and rawhide.
Remember, works of fiction can occupy multiple genres.
I find it hard to believe that the Final Fantasy XI Auction House forums have produced a far superior discussion/debate on this topic. I am disappointed, Star Trek.
For serious though, guys... I wanted to see this from the anti-Star Wars fan perspective! I don't care what you have to say about it, but I'd love to hear your thoughts on this subject!
Boy, did you ever post in the wrong forum.
This is Ten Forward; we take nothing seriously!
space opera is a bit more refined to certain shows within science fiction.
ie every space opera show is science fiction, not every science fiction show is a space opera.
Is the OP's username science fiction, fantasy, or space opera?
Again your logic defies the term logic. Star trek fan =/= anti-Star Wars fan. Some like both while others like one or the other. And yes, 10Forward =/= serious discussions. Be happy you got a few serious responses.
I should've sent you V-Day candy....
And yet you didn't. I like the chocolate dipped strawberries and chocolate covered cherries. num num.
Space Fantasy, Sci-Fi, whatever you wanna call it, hell even Space Western...It has elements of all those things...
Just curious, exactly what Master's program involves studying whether or not Star Wars is "science fiction?" Master's of Geekery?
Also, where do I sign up?!?
If it was space Opera would Princess Leia look more like this? Muahahah
Yup, Jabba Leia ate it.
This I can agree with. The 'science' bits are less based on science and more on magic.
Force powers is basically magic. No explanation given (and if you say midichlorians, I will cut you because that whole movie was terrible) besides "It's everywhere". The force is the biggest offender in this regard, but there a few other 'science' elements I found lacking. For instance, Han Solo found a shortcut through empty space. A parsec is a measure of distance, not time.
So many fantastical elements in the story. Don't get me wrong, Star Wars 4-6 were a good watch, but it was as much science fiction as The Hobbit was.
I agree with this. There are parts of Star Wars that are science fiction-ish, but overall it is typical fantasy trope: farm boy from small village discovers magic powers, rises up against dark evil wizard, OH A TWIST, big wizard duel, evil wizard killed, redemption for evil second in command ... just about every fantasy story ever written. Princesses, rogues, wizards, knights, swords, tall-ship combat, magical plot-devices, evil empires, noble rebellions, crossbows -- I mean bowcasters, oops -- on and on.
A lot of Star Trek is fantasy, too. But it gets away with using techno-babble, as always! And at least Q isn't magical so much as very, very evolved and advanced. But, then, you know, midichlorians or whatever. Haha, Lucas.
Ah, the SW novels fixed that one. The "Kessel Run" was a route taken around a black hole while smuggling. Making it in "less than 12 parsecs" means that his ship was fast enough to get closer without getting sucked in.
I think Star Trek is at least as offensive on science as Star Wars. Kes (and dozens of other characters with similar abilities) might as well be Jedi. Just about every sentient lifeform in Trek is a humanoid. Yeah, I know, they had a cheap TNG episode that explained it with life being seeded by some precursor race. People all speak English, and though they have universal translators, their lips also speak English.
So anyway.... may the fan without err cast the first stone, or somesuch.
It is, at it's heart, a sword and sorcery tale with a bit of space plane dogfights mixed in.
As for Star Trek, yes that's science fantasy too.
It all comes down to whether or not you think something should be described as a fantasy, when using fantastic plot devices, such as warp drive and hyperdrive.
And let us not mention metachlorians ever again.
The End