Hello, dear friend, you can consult us at any time if you have any questions, add WeChat: THEend8_
SCIF1004 Science and the Cinema
Discussion Piece Information
The discussion piece is worth 40% of the course. The assessment item must be submitted via
Moodle. Please note, that failure to submit by the deadline will carry a 5-mark a day penalty
(assignment is out of 100 marks) up to 5 days where the penalty will be 100-marks (this is
UNSW policy).
On to the assessment item, so far on this course you should have seen (from watching
the lectures and films) that science and scientists can be portrayed in a variety of different
ways, such as:
Science/Scientists can be portrayed as shining lights, striving to make the future a better
place…
Science/Scientists can be shown as a force of evil, highlighting how manipulation can have
catastrophic results…
Or
Some films depict science/scientists in a balanced manner, highlighting the good that can be
done but giving a forewarning of potential problems…
Your task is to write a discussion piece on how a science/scientific concept has been
portrayed in film, you should frame your piece in line with one of the italicised statements
(vide supra). In your piece you may use films from the course or others of your own choosing.
If you choose a film that is not part of this course then it is a good idea to first consult the FAQ
list (then if you still are not sure contact the course coordinator) to see if your film is suitable;
a common issue when selecting your own film is that the science involved is not actually
science and instead is merely a bunch of made up terms used as a plot device, your
assignment is to discuss the portrayal of science in film not the plot of a bunch of films
(although some context will be needed). Also, the discussion piece is not supposed to be an
attack on a series of films, highlighting the absurdity of what transpires or what “fake” science
was depicted.