Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE MSS2015

 
TITLE Popular Culture and Science

 
UM LEVEL 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 5

 
ECTS CREDITS 4

 
DEPARTMENT Mathematics and Science Education

 
DESCRIPTION This unit explores the media by which scientific discoveries and scientific concepts have reached the general public in forms which can be considered more accessible, less intimidating and certainly more appealing and entertaining. Beyond cinema, fiction and television - where science has permeated mass culture through the genre of science-fiction - graphic novels, music, social media, transmedia and non-fiction have equally contributed to the popularisation of science. Typically, these media extrapolate from, advance, and distort scientific concepts towards narrative aims. Stories of speculative and science-fiction reflect both a love and fear of scientific progress and what it implies for a (post)human culture. In science communication, popular media has also become a key tool to reach new audiences as well as to educate.

In this study-unit, students will learn to reflect on the relationship between science and popular culture and how to use various forms of media to communicate science to new audiences. Students will become more familiar with representations of science and scientists in popular culture and scientists' role in local and international communities. Students will also explore how popular culture also reflects the values a community has about the role of science in society.

Study-unit Aims:

This study-unit aims to:
- show how science and scientists have been portrayed in local and international popular culture;
- assess how science fiction and popular science media have contributed to scientific knowledge;
- highlight the influence of local and international scientific personalities and concepts on popular culture;
- show how scientific innovations have spread throughout culture through science journalism and media channels (offline and online);
- highlight society's fear and love of science through popular media (cinema, television, novels, music, social media and transmedia);
- outline how popular culture can be used to communicate science to new audiences, locally and internationally, and
- show the different ways science has been portrayed in popular culture.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- identify the key authors and personalities that have communicated science through popular culture;
- identify how scientists and scientific phenomena have been portrayed in popular culture;
- discuss how science fiction and popular science media have contributed to scientific knowledge, and vice versa;
- explore how science journalists and various media channels have helped the spread of scientific innovations throughout culture;
- discuss the fear and love of science as reflected in social media, and
- identify the various ways science can be communicated through popular media.

2. Skills:
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- discuss various ways that scientists have been portrayed in popular culture and the effect this has had on society;
- review some of the science and scientists portrayed in various popular media (cinema, music, television, social media, transmedia, and novels), and
- communicate scientific ideas and narratives through popular media (blogs, vlogs, podcasts, feature articles, TV spots).

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main Texts

- Johnston, K.M. (2011). Science Fiction Film: A Critical Introduction. London: Bloomsbury.
- Luokkala, B.B. (2013). Exploring Science Through Science Fiction. New York: Springer.
- Roberts, A. (2016). The History of Science Fiction. Basingstoke, UK: Palgrave MacMillan.
- Sanders, S. (2009). The Philosophy of Science Fiction Film. Lexington, US: The University Press of Kentucky.

Supplementary Texts

- Bowdoin Van Riper, A. (2002). Science in Popular Culture: A Reference Guide. Westport, US: Greenwood Press.
- Gregory, J. & Miller, S. (2000). Science in Public: Communication, Culture, and Credibility. Boulder, US: Perseus Books.
- Gresh, L.H. & Weinberg, R. (2004). The Science of Supervillains. New Jersey, US: John Wiley & Sons.
- Gresh, L.H. & Weinberg, R.(2003). The Science of Superheroes. New Jersey, US: John Wiley & Sons.
- James, E. & Mendleshon, F. (2003). The Cambridge Companion to Science Fiction. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Kaku, M. (2009). Physics of the Impossible: A Scientific Exploration into the World of Phasers, Force Fields, Teleportation and Time Travel. New York: Random House.
- Turney, J. (2000). Frankenstein's Footsteps: Science, Genetics and Popular Culture. New Haven, US: Yale University Press.

Selected readings, media clips and other relevant course content will be made available on the VLE by course tutor/s.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture and Seminar

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Presentation SEM2 Yes 30%
Project SEM2 Yes 30%
Assignment SEM2 Yes 40%

 
LECTURER/S Conrad Aquilina

 

 
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The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit