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FS3010: CINEMA AND SCIENCE: BEYOND FICTION A (2023-2024)

Last modified: 24 Oct 2023 16:16


Course Overview

For much of the twentieth century, the cinema has provided mass audiences with a powerful and accessible source of images and ideas about many aspects of science, medicine and healthcare, including the notion of scientific evidence and objectivity, laboratory experimentation, science and human rights, the relationship between doctor and patient, the public image of scientists, the encounter between human and non-human animals. This course seeks to understand the complex relations between cinema and science, by critically examining a diverse body of works coming from different filmic traditions, genres and periods, challenging the cliché of the mad scientist often represented in mainstream Hollywood cinema.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 3
Term First Term Credit Points 30 credits (15 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Silvia Casini

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Any Undergraduate Programme
  • Either Film And Visual Culture (FS) or Literature In A World Context (LW)
  • Programme Level 3

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

From sci-fi to computer simulated graphics to mind-expanding documentaries, science and film have always gravitated toward one another. For much of the twentieth century, the cinema has provided mass audiences with a powerful and accessible source of images and ideas about many aspects of science, medicine and healthcare, including the notion of scientific evidence and objectivity, laboratory experimentation, science and human rights, the relationship between doctor and patient, the public image of scientists, the encounter between human and non-human animals. This course seeks to understand the complex relations between cinema and science by critically examining a diverse body of works coming from different filmic traditions, genres and periods, challenging the cliché of the mad scientist often represented in mainstream Hollywood cinema. Students will acquire the critical tools to navigate and counteract the widely spread misconceptions arising from both pseudo-science and biased media (mis)representations of scientific achievements. Readings will be at the crossroad of film theory and history, medical humanities, visual culture, science and technology studies (STS).


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 50
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback Word Count 2000
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Seminar Assessment Mark

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 20
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 30
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback Word Count 1000
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 100
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback Word Count 2000
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ProceduralCreateConstruct coherent arguments and demonstrate enhanced skills in written, oral and visual communications.
ProceduralAnalyseConduct a close-reading and analysis of films identifying patterns, motives, forms.
ReflectionEvaluateDemonstrate the ability to create a presentation to communicate and/or engage the wider public with science using an audio-visual medium.
ProceduralApplyExpand the conceptual toolkit of film theory and visual culture through notions coming from science and technology studies (STS).
ConceptualUnderstandDemonstrate an understanding of critical approaches related to the study of film, science and visual culture.
ProceduralCreateEngage in critical thinking and creative practice in relation to the practice-based component of the course.
FactualRememberDemonstrate an understanding of the various configurations of the relationship between cinema and science beyond science fiction.

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