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Science and the Cinema - GENS1004
 Students on quad lawn

   
   
   
 
Campus: Kensington Campus
 
 
Career: Undergraduate
 
 
Units of Credit: 3
 
 
EFTSL: 0.06250 (more info)
 
 
Indicative Contact Hours per Week: 0
 
 
CSS Contribution Charge:Band 1 (more info)
 
   
 
Further Information: See Class Timetable
 
 
Available for General Education: Yes (more info)
 
  

Description

Imagine Keanu Reeves, Uma Thurman, Elizabeth Shue or Lisa Simpson as scientists. Well Hollywood has in a series of movies which use real scientific concepts as an integral part of the plot. Often the script writers stretch these concepts beyond the realms of reality to make the movies even more exciting. In this general education course you will view at least six movies which deal with a range of scientific issues (and we don't just mean science fiction here!). You will be given some lectures of the basics of the science involved in a given movie, discuss how faithfully the movies portray the science and look at some of the social and ethical issues related to the science that are explored in the films. There will be an opportunity to debate scientific and ethical issues raised by the movies. Not only that but you will get to meet some of the movies stars currently masquerading as chemists in the School of Chemistry. Movies you will see include Gattica (starring Ethan Hawke, Jude Law and Uma Thurman), The Saint (with Val Kilmer and Elizabeth Shue), Chain Reaction (Keanu Reeves and Rachel Weisz), Jurassic Park (Sam Neill, Jeff Goldblum and Laura Dern), an old classic Man in a White Suit (starring Sir Alec Guinness) and more. So come along, see some movies and you might learn some basic stuff about how to make your own genetically modified organism, alternative sources of energy and how science could save the world if only the world wanted saving.

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© The University of New South Wales (CRICOS Provider No.: 00098G), 2004-2011. The information contained in this Handbook is indicative only. While every effort is made to keep this information up-to-date, the University reserves the right to discontinue or vary arrangements, programs and courses at any time without notice and at its discretion. While the University will try to avoid or minimise any inconvenience, changes may also be made to programs, courses and staff after enrolment. The University may also set limits on the number of students in a course.