SCIENCE AND CINEMA
- Overview
- Assessment methods
- Learning objectives
- Contents
- Bibliography
- Delivery method
- Teaching methods
- Contacts/Info
No previous knowledge of the topics covered by the course is required: The basic concepts needed to fully understand the main topics related to the production of movie and TV series (based on scientific topics) will be provided during the first section of the course.
Learning outcomes will be verified through an oral exam aimed at assessing the students' knowledge of the contents of the PowerPoint slides as well as the clips extracted from the films and television episodes that compose the main part of the course.
Educational goals:
The preliminary aim of the teaching is to provide basic knowledge on the structure of films and TV series (subject, screenplay, direction, post-production). The main purpose is to analyze and critically comment on the ways in which science is represented by fiction cinema and TV series.
Expected learning outcomes:
At the end of the course the student is expected to have acquired the following knowledge and skills:
- basic concepts related to the creation of films and TV series focused on scientific issues;
- the ability to interpret and discuss the ways in which cinema represents scientific topics;
- the ability to critically analyze the scientific aspects represented in films and TV series, as well as their relevance to scientific reality.
The first part of the course is aimed at illustrating the fundamentals of the making of films and TV series in the scientific field (number of hours: 16).
The second part of the course (number of hours: 30) focuses on the classroom viewing of scientific films and TV series, which will be commented on and discussed by the teacher. Some of the main films and TV series that will be discussed are: "Imitation game"; "A Beautiful mind"; "The Theory of everything"; "Dark Waters"; "Vajont"; "The Day After Tomorrow"; "The Core"; "The Day after Tomorrow"; "San Andreas"; "Interstellar"; "The Martian"; "Gravity"; "Dante's Peak"; "Manhattan"; "The Big Bang Theory"; "Young Sheldon".
The third part of the course (18 hours) is dedicated to the critical comparison between the fictionary represenation of subjects such as astrophysics, space exploration, mathematics, computer science, geophysics, volcanology, environmental and climatic risks, and the actual science behind the phenomena and concepts dealt with in the analyzed movies and TV series.
- PowerPoint slides shown in class.
- M. Merzagora. "Scienza da vedere. L'immaginario scientifico sul grande e sul piccolo schermo". Sironi Editore, 2006
All classes will be conducted with the aid of clips of movies and TV series, which will be shown and commented on by the teacher.
Appointment, upon email request, during class intermissions and at the end of each class.
E-mail address: pas.mariotto@uninsubria.it