Last modified: 24 Oct 2023 16:16
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.
| Study Type | Undergraduate | Level | 4 |
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| Session | First Sub Session | Credit Points | 30 credits (15 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
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One or more of these courses have a limited number of places. Priority access will be given to students for whom this course is compulsory. Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions for more details on this process.
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).
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
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| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
2500 word Research Essay |
Word Count | 2500 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
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| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 20 | |
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| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback | ||||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
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| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 30 | |
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| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
1500 word reflexive essay accompanied by creative output |
Word Count | 1500 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
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There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 100 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback | Word Count | 2500 | ||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
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| Conceptual | Understand | Demonstrate an understanding of critical approaches related to the study of film, science and visual culture. |
| Procedural | Analyse | Conduct a close-reading and analysis of films identifying patterns, motives, forms. |
| Factual | Remember | Demonstrate an understanding of the possible configurations of the relationship between cinema and science beyond science fiction. |
| Procedural | Create | Engage in critical thinking in relation to the practice-based component of the course. |
| Procedural | Apply | Expand the conceptual toolkit of film theory and visual culture through notions coming from science and technology studies (STS). |
| Reflection | Create | Demonstrate the ability to create a presentation to communicate and/or engage the wider public with science using an audio-visual medium. |
| Procedural | Create | Construct coherent arguments and demonstrate enhanced skills in written, oral and visual communications. |
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