CNSCI 2220 Science in The Movies
Whether you like science fiction or not, it is difficult to avoid the constant presence of science in the movies. Besides the prevalent aliens and astronauts traveling at faster-than-light-speeds through the universe, "science" permeates movie plots. Do any of these ideas have a basis in orthodox or laboratory science? This course looks at the biological environmental and physical sciences behind science in the movies. Students investigate the real science underlying movie phenomena and gain the critical thinking skills for separating scientific fact from science fiction. Each week of the course will be focused around specific scientific ideas and themes as they are portrayed in films. We will investigate the science behind each of these ideas through on-line discussions and presentations.