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Science in the Cinema BIO 404V – 504V/ CHEM 494V/ PHYS 494V |
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Dr. John Pratte and Dr. Aldemaro Romero Spring 2009 Arkansas State University
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1. Course objectives 1.1. Introduction: Historically science has been either the central theme or an important backdrop in movies. Since the silent era to the current time many blockbusters have had science as a main subject in Hollywood productions. Although the way science has been portrayed in movies has always been criticized, particularly by scientists, they reflect (or even shape) much of the public perception about science and the scientific process.
The aim of this course is provide students with a better understanding not only about the accuracy of science as presented in movies but, more importantly, how those movies echo and/or influence public perception of science.
1.2. Methodology: This course will combine the showing of movies in a specific sequence and discussions about their contents. 1.3. Expected outcome: By the end of the semester, you should be able to better understand how and why movies portray science as a public endeavor. 1.4. Prerequisites: Permission of the instructors. |
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2. Instructors Dr. Aldemaro Romero, Chair and Professor of Biology at Arkansas State University. He has written more than 500 articles and books to both learned and popular audiences. The full list of his publications can be found at: http://www.clt.astate.edu/aromero/aldemaro_romero.htm. He has also written, produced, and directed more that 1500 radio shows and 50 television shows in the U.S., Europe and Latin America. He was awarded the Feijoo Prize for science journalism by the Spanish Association for the Advancement of Science. Dr. John Pratte, Chair and Professor of Physics at Arkansas State University. He has been a longtime advocate for the use of narrative in the teaching of science, having presented papers on the subject at academic conferences. His most recent research has been on the use of alternative methods for teaching hands-on science. |
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3. Textbook and supplies 3.1. Textbook The textbook to be used in this course will be “Hollywood Science” by Sidney Perkowitz (Columbia University Press). You will need this book in order to be able to participate in the discussions. 3.2. Additional reading Throughout the course we will be providing you some additional readings via email or by posting those readings on Blackboard. |
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4. Other resources In addition to the movies being shown in class you will have to go to the library and watch some additional movies. Because we have only one copy per movie for the most part and because we want to give all students the same opportunity to watch those additional movies, those movies cannot be checked out. |
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5. Academic approach We give the best of ourselves in each one of our classes in order to offer you the opportunity to maximize your chances of learning lasting lessons. We consider ourselves motivational, challenging, and enthusiastic. We encourage questions at any time. We greatly appreciate students who come to us for further discussion and inquiring. Please do not hesitate to see us during our office hours or by appointment to discuss the subject as well any problem that may arise. We expect the finest from you. We will do our best to ensure that you learn the maximum and that your effort is rewarded with good grades. Note that this course can be taken as either 1-credit course or a 3-credit course. Students taking it as a 1-credit course will not have to complete the out-of-the-classroom assignments. |
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6. Office hours
Dr. Romero: W 9:00-12:00, 1:00-3:00 and by appointment. Room Number: LSE 202 Phone Number: (870) 972-3082 Email address: aromero@astate.edu
Dr. Pratte: TR 2:00-5:00 p.m. and by appointment Room Number: LSE 213 Phone Number: (870) 972-3298 Email address: jpratte@astate.edu |
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7. Evaluation criteria Students will be evaluated on a mixture of class discussion and homework assignments. After each film showing, there will be a discussion session at which students will be expected to participate (Note: Attendance at each movie showing is mandatory). Students will also view complementary films between each showing and, based upon this and additional research will be expected to write a paper discussing the role and perception of science in the films. Students will need to write a 1-2 page paper after each showing commenting on the movie seen and the paper is due in electronic format the day before the following showing. All students are required to write a final paper. The nature of those papers is explained below: The instructions for writing those papers are as follows: One-Credit Version: The paper must be a review article about the accuracy of science and the portrayal of scientists in movies. While you might wish to use as many references as possible, you must have a minimum of 5 citations. Your paper should be typed and double‑spaced and at least 3-5 pages of text, exclusive of the literature cited. Your paper will be graded on its content and the coverage of the topic, in addition, the paper will be graded on grammar, clarity, and freedom from typographical and spelling errors. Papers are due at noon on Friday, May 1st., 2009. PAPERS THAT DO NOT MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS BELOW CAN EXPECT NO MORE THAN 70%. Three-Credit Version: The paper must be a review article about a topic of how science is portrayed in movies and how that portrayal is affected by society at the time that a movie is made. There is no upper limit to the number of citations that would be appropriate. You should use as many as is possible concerning your topic; however, minimally the literature cited section must contain at least 10 citations, with at least 7 of these from the primary journals. Your paper should be typed and double‑spaced and range from 6-10 pages of text, exclusive of the literature cited. Grades will be determined in the following manner: Classroom and
discussion participation = 50% |
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8. Academic honesty To ensure the highest standards of academic honesty and ethical behavior, an honor code will be strictly enforced. In other words, do not even think about any behavior that may be construed as academic dishonesty, plagiarism, misrepresentation, or cheating. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following: A. Cheating on an assignment. B. Receiving help from others in work to be submitted, if contrary to the stated rules of the course. C. Plagiarizing, that is, taking and passing off as one's own the ideas, writings or work of another, without citing the source. This is true whether the material used is only a brief excerpt or an entire paper or article and whether the original source is the work of another student or some publication. Plagiarizing your paper from some other source or collaborative efforts with other students will be considered cheating, and your behavior will be reported to the appropriate ASU office for punishment that may include expulsion from the University. In addition, if you turn in essentially this same paper from a different class, we will consider it cheating, and you will also be prosecuted for violation of academic integrity. We will always be available to discuss with you the progress of your paper at any stage prior being handled to us. However, you must know that we will measure it to the highest ethical and technical standards. Any work submitted by an individual student is expected to represent his/her individual, personal work. Passages of text, images, diagrams, pictures, or original ideas drawn from other sources must be clearly identified, both by separating the passage from the neighboring student‑written narrative (using quotation marks or block indents) and with citations and reference to the original work or individual. Any student submitting in their name the work of another student, individual, or author is committing plagiarism and will be referred for disciplinary action. Please read the academic integrity section of the Student Handbook. Details of all suspected violations of academic integrity will be reported to the appropriate authorities. D. Submitting work from another course. E. Stealing course material. F. Falsifying data and/or records. G. Assisting anyone to do any of the above. This honor code protects the honest student, the reputation of Arkansas State University, and the value of degrees earned here. We should all support it both by personal honesty in all things and by refusing to tolerate dishonesty in others. Any graded work must be performed completely unaided unless otherwise stated. Students must report to us any suspected cheating. If you have any questions about your assignment, plagiarism, or this honor code, please contact us. |
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9. Withdrawals You are the sole responsible for fulfilling all necessary steps to formally withdraw from this course. |
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10. Students with Special Instructional Needs If you have any special needs related to learning or testing in this course, please let me know as soon as possible so I can address those needs. |
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11. Course Outline Jan. 13: Introduction to the course. How movies are made.
Jan.
20: Scientists, earthly and aliens
Feb.
10: Destruction for Outer Space
Mar.
3: Destruction from Earthly Disasters
Mar.
17: Destruction from Machines
Apr.
7: Scientists and genes
Apr. 21: Alien invasions "The War of the Worlds"
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Disclaimer: The information contained in this syllabus is as accurate as possible, but may be subject to change with reasonable advance notice. The schedule and content of lectures and assignments may be changed at the discretion of the instructor upon oral notification in class. Changes may involve additions, deletions, substitutions, or changes in sequence or due date. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS CONTAINED IN THIS SYLLABUS COULD CAUSE YOU TO GET A POOR GRADE IN SCIENCE IN THE CINEMA The cover: Steven Spielberg while filming Jurassic Park. This is one of the most famous science-fiction movies of all times. |
