SciPop


	Science and Popular Culture Course Description: Many students, as well as their parents and teachers, are fascinated by science fiction, either in its written or cinematic forms. Science fiction movies and television shows illustrate the attitudes and activities of scientists and introduce scientific concepts and facts to a broad spectrum of viewers. However, the information that viewers gain from these films does not always represent a true picture of scientific ideas and processes. Although stimulating to the mind or essential to the plot, this misinformation can lead to a misunderstanding of the work that scientists do, the methods that they use, and the discoveries they have made. Science fiction movies also reflect the societal concerns and human fears of their particular time period. Metaphorical expression of everyday life and its changing nature is common on these films. This one-semester course will present students with the opportunity to watch and analyze a small sampling of science fiction films, ranging from the black and white "B" movies and television shows of the 50's and 60's to recent blockbusters and television series. Movies such as "The Blob", "Invasion of the Body Snatchers", "Logan's Run", "Bladerunner", "Soylent Green", "Earth vs The Flying Saucers", "The Day the Earth Stood Still", "Forbidden Planet", "Fahrenheit 451", "Rollerball", "The Andromeda Strain", "Planet of the Apes" "2001, A Space Odessey", "The Fly", "Frankenstein", "Alien", "The Abyss", "Sphere", "Jaws", and "Jurassic Park", along with television episodes from notable series such as "Star Trek", "The Outer Limits", and "The Twilight Zone" can provide ample opportunities for student discussion, research projects, and writing assignments. Scientific documentaries from PBS, TLC, or the Discovery Channel may be shown in conjunction with some movies to provide a more accurate picture of scientific theories and facts. Students will be responsible for evaluating the scientific content of the films through both library and internet research, determining the validity of concepts, theories, techniques, and facts presented in the stories. They will also examine recurring themes seen in science fiction movies and analyze the manner in which science and scientists are portrayed. They will identify each particular threat to humanity and discuss the probability of its future existence. Written comparisons and evaluations of movies that deal with similar scientific themes or concepts will be assigned. As a culminating project, students will attempt to develop their own plot for a science fiction movie based on a particular scientific concept (and perhaps produce a short version or scenes from their movie as a group project). Students will be encouraged to come up with their own ideas for projects as well. Grades will be based on involvement in class discussions, written assignments, research skills, and project grades. The final exam will focus on the major themes discussed in the course. Science and Popular Culture Syllabus Assignments for movies: Strange Organisms and Social Fears 1. The Blob: 1. Where did the Blob come from? Is this a believable scenario? Has any evidence of life ever been found on meteorites? 2. How does the Blob kill its victims? Compare the Blob's method of ingesting organisms with an ameba's. 3. Look up trichloroacetic acid. Could it be used to kill a living organism? What is its actual medical use? 4. The Blob's attack on its first victim's arm resembles the synptoms of flesh eating bacteria. Look up flesh-eating bacteria. What type of bacterium is it? What is its real name? How does it destroy flesh and spread through the body? 5. How do fungi get nutrients from their environment? 6. Nonbelievers are essential in science fiction and horror movies. What purpose do they serve in developing the plot? 7. Was there evidence of use of the scientific method to conquer the blob? 8. What societal fears spawn this type of movie plot? 2. X, The Unknown: 1. Radiation is often blamed for the creation of "monsters" in science fiction movies. Why is this? 2. Research radioactivity. a. What types of radiation are there? b. What are the sources of radioactivity? c. Which types are most dangerous to humans? d. What are the physical effects of radiation on humans? Discuss radiation poisoning. Can radiation melt a person as seen in the movie? e. Are there any teatments or cures for exposure to radiation? f. How can radiation be effectively blocked? g. What does half life mean? h. How is radiation detected and measured? 3. Can radioactivity be detected by radios or telephones? Does it interfere with other kinds of electromagnetic waves? 4.What world events and fears of society does this 1950's movie relate to? How does current public opinion often determine science fiction plots? How do the fears of people in the movie reflect what is going on in actual society at the time? 5.Is there a radioactive element named "Trinium"? 6. Is the center of the Earth more radioactive than the surface? How do we know? Can that radiation leek out of fissures and lava flows? 7.What are the symptoms of radiation poisoning? Are there any treatments or cures? 8. The scientist proposes "a theory" to explain the strange events in the movie. Did he use the word in a correct manner as it is used in science? Why or why not? 9. How is the scientist portrayed in this movie? Do you think he represents scientists in a good way? 10. The father whose boy dies criticizes the scientist. What does the general public often think of scientists and their work in general and why? 11.Discuss the use of the scientific method in the movie. a. What was the scientist's hypothesis about the causes of the problem? b. Was this hypothesis based on previous observations? c. Was this hypothesis testable? d. What hypothesis was made to attempt to explain the origin and activities of the creature? 12. How old is the Earth? How do we know? 13. Is the Earth shrinking as it gets older as claimed in the movie? 14. Research subterranean life. Are there any living organisms that can live deeper in the Earth's crust? Desribe them and discuss how they obtain their energy. 3. Invasion of the Body Snatchers 1. Why do science fiction movies often begin by introducing normal people living ordinary lives? 2. What was the first clue that something was very wrong in Santa Mira? 3. What observations led the doctor to believe that people were being replaced by aliens? 4. Supposedly the seeds that grew into the pods had drifted through space to get to Earth? What factors make this seem improbable? 5. What social and political fears from the 1950’s does this movie represent? (Hint- What was going on in Hollywood and Washington at the time that kept most major studios from presenting these themes?) 6. Why did the aliens think that humans would be better off after being converted? 7. Research the concept of a Utopian civilization, which appears often in science fiction movies. Historically, have there been attempts to establish Utopian societies in America? 8. Living organisms have several primary goals. Which of these do the aliens hold to be the most important? 9. How does the aliens’ society compare to the communist ideals of the Soviet Union? 10. Why do humans fear uniformity and conformity? 11. What is this film protesting? 4. The Andromeda Strain- Due Feb 5th 1. What are "Scoop" and "Wildfire"? 2. How does this movie play on the fears of the general public of the late 60's and early 70's? What events have led to the possible scenario seen in the movie? 3. Who are the only survivors of the satellite crash? Why did they survive? 4. The invading organism is a crystalline life form that contains no amino acids. What organisms on Earth are in any way similar to this? Discuss their structures and behaviors. 5. Discuss the use of the scientific method in the movie. a. What hypotheses were proposed? b. What types of tests were done? c. What data was collected? d. How was the organism isolated and identified? e. Were careful procedures followed? give examples. 6. Discuss the process of mutation. How do mutations happen? 7. What are the steps that lead to blood clotting in humans? Are there any organisms on Earth that can kill a person by clotting its blood? 8. Is the organism destroyed by the scientists? If so, how? 9. Are the scientists in this movie portrayed as good guys or bad guys? Defend your answer with examples. 10. Who are the real bad guys in this movie? Give examples. 11. How important is the illusion of secrecy in the development of public paranoia, such as reports of flying saucers or aliens that were recovered in the Roswell incident? 12. How does this movie mirror the folklore ideas we discussed earlier? What is being protested, and who are the "little guys" facing authority and impossible odds. 13. Living organisms typically have a narrow range of tolerance to various conditions like salinity, pH, temperature and other environmental factors. Chemically, why is this true? 14. What procedures have been used to make sure that returning astronauts do not bring any new organisms back to Earth when they come back from a mission? 15. What kinds of microorganisms live on and in the human body, most of which cause no harm in a commensalistic existence? 5. When Worlds Collide (Academy Award Winner 1951- Special Effects) Due Feb 11th 1. Research Near Earth Objects. a. What kinds of space objects could collide with Earth? b. Have there been any near misses in the recent past? c. What is the probability that we may have a large asteriod collision in the near future? d. What would be the effects of such an impact? 2. What is the evidence that shows that asteriods have hit Earth in the past? What were the probable effects of these collisions? 3. What are the present theories concerning the formation of the moon? 4. What could we do to prevent an asteriod or comet from hitting Earth if we had enough advance warning? 5. If we had to leave Earth, where in our solar system could we possibly go to start over? Why? 6. If you found out that an asteroid was going to destroy Earth, how would you react? What would you do with your remaining time and why? How do you think most people would react? Write a 500 word essay describing your reaction. 7. Why do astronauts black out when lifting off? 8. If you had to choose a group of people to start a new civilization, what skills would you value the most in choosing the people? More Encounters with Intelligent Aliens (for better or worse) The Day the Earth Stood Still 1. Klaatu claims that he has traveled 250 million miles to reach Earth. a. How long would it take to travel that distance at the speed of light? b. How long would it take for our present day space craft? c. Approximately where would his home planet be located in relation to Earth? (Look up distances to planets in our solar system) 2. Klatu also claims to know much about earth because his people have been monitoring radio broadcasts. a. How long would a radio or TV broadcast take to reach his planet? b. When was the first radio broadcast? What was it? c. When was the first TV broadcast? What was the program? 3. If aliens were listening to TV and radio broadcasts from the past 60 years, what conclusions would they make about humans? (500 word essay) 4. While talking to Bobby, Klatu speaks of the advanced atomic propulsion mechanism used in his ship. What message is this trying to get across to the audience, and why? 5. How does the them of this movie differ from that of most movies involving aliens? 6. In what ways is Klatu a father figure for Bobby? 7. How could this movie be seen as an assault on male agression, pride, and competiveness? Give examples. 8.Gort, the robot, could be a metaphor for what aspects of science in the 1950's? 9. This film is an allegory of sorts. a. What is an allegory? b. What is the significance of Klatu's Earth alias "Carpenter"? c. What is the significance of the scene in which Gort brings Klatu back to life? d. What is the significance of the technological halo behind Gort's head as he brings Klatu back to life? e. What does Bobby's unquestioning faith represent on a larger scale? f. What do and Klatu represent with respect to religion? g. Who can save us from science, according to the themes presented in the movie? 10. What famous scientist of the 1950's, who spoke out against nuclear weapons testing, does Professor Bernhardt represent? 11. Is Doctor Bernhardt related to Professor Bernhardt? It Came From Outer Space This Island Earth Close Encounters of the Third Kind 1. How are the Aliens portrayed in this movie? 2. What types of people become "believers" concerning the aliens? Why are these people chosen? 3. What are the religious messages in this movie? 4. How do the aliens communicate with the humans in the movie? How did the humans decode the message? 5. The "The Day the Earth Stood Still", "ET", and Close Encounters, a central character is a little boy who has suffered the loss of a father in one way or another. What commentary does this them make about present day society? How does this theme affect the plot of the movie? War of the Worlds (the original) 1. What is the environment of Mars really like? Discuss how it compares to Earth with respect to: a. soil b. presence of water c. atmospheric composition d. daily temperatures e. gravity f. solar radiation input 2. Based on the above conditions, design a humanoid life form that would be adapted to life on Mars. 3. Is there any evidence that life exists, or has ever existed on Mars? 4. How is the scientific method portrayed in this movie? Do the scientists appear to have followed proper scientific procedures for learning more about the Martians? Give Examples 5. The Martians were found to have nuclei in their red blood cells. Humans do not. a. What advantage is there to having erythrocytes without nuclei? b. The scientists called the Martian blood primitive. What organisms on Earth have non-nucleated red blood cells? Why doesn't it matter for them; how do they compensate? c. Considering the lower oxygen content on Mars, would having non-nucleated red blood cells be an advantage or a disadvantage for Martians? 6. What killed the Martians and stopped the invasion? Is this a genuine concern for future space travelers from Earth? 7. How does the immune system react when exposed to a new bacteria or virus for the first time? 8. The Martians tried to conquer the Earth because their planet was dying. What message is impled about Earth for viewers of this movie? 9. How are science and religion protrayed in this movie? other possibilities The Thing From Another World The Search for the Soul- The Stepford Wives 1. The film starts off with a normal family living a normal life. How does this add to the suspense in a science fiction movie? 2. How does the opening scene with the anatomical female dummy foreshadow future events in the movie? 3. Make a list of observations and statements that give you an early sense that something is not quite right in Stepford. 4. What is so mysterious about the “Men’s Club”? 5. How are women portrayed in this movie? How are they viewed by the men of the town? 6. Why do some of the women who live in Stepford act differently than the newcomers? 7. Describe the changing relationship between Joanna and her husband as the movie progresses. 8. Why are the following significant? a. The president of the men’s club worked for Disney. b. The artist made a very detailed drawing of the wife. c. The husband sat up late drinking after the first men’s club meeting d. The woman repeating “ I’ll just die if I don’t get this recipe”. e. The disappearance of the dog f. Joanna’s friend did not bleed when she stabbed her, the she began repeating her statements and behaviors uncontrollably. 9. What were the other women’s attitudes towards forming a consciousness group? 10. Why does one of the husbands want Joanna to write down a list of everywhere she has been in her life and to speak a long list of words into a tape recorder? 11. Why did Joanna’s husband give the other men a tour of their bedroom when Joanna went out for a walk? 12. Why was the man in the red car that left the men’s club so distraught and unable to drive? Did he still appear to be upset as he was ripping up Charmaine’s tennis court? 13. What happens to the wives after they go away for special weekends with their husbands? 14. Was their any attempt to find a scientific cause for the changing wives? What was done? How does a gas chromatograph work? 15. Scenes depicting electronics, computer, and biological laboratories are often shown as Joanna is driving. What is the significance of these scenes? 16. Research the history of the feminist movement (women’s liberation) that began in the latter half of the twentieth century. Why did it begin, who were its leaders, what were its goals? Was there ever an antifeminist movement? 17. Discuss the underlying themes of this movie. What aspects of society is this movie critical of? What should people be afraid of in our society? Should we do everything that technology allows us to do “because we can”, as the leader of the Men’s Association states. The Island 1. Explain the methods used to clone animals. 2. Have the animals that have been cloned had any problems? 3. Why would we want to clone animals anyway? What could cloned organisms be used for? 4. Trace the development of a human embryo during pregancy. a. What happens during the first trimester? b. During the second trimester. c. During the third trimester. 5. In the birth scene, how do the membranes, cords, and fluids resemble compare to those in a real pregnancy? Look up and explain the terms amnion, chorion, allantois, and umbilical cord. 6. Compare and contrast this movie with the themes explored in Logan's Run. 7. What does DNA code for? 8 Is it possible that DNA could transfer memories if a human was cloned? (Many studies have been done on identical twins that have been separated by adoption but have the same DNA). 8. How does this movie illustrate "the search for a soul"? Westworld 1. What is Delos? 2. To what in our society does Delos compare? 3. If you could have a chance to go to Delos, which part would you go to? Write a paragraph explaining why. (Keep it clean) 4. What were the first signs of trouble in Westworld? 5. What hypothesis did the lead scientist propose for the problems the robots were having? 6. This movie was released in 1973. What were computers like back then? (Look up the history of computer development) 7. What is a computer virus? How is it created? How does it work? 8. What is the current state of robot or android technology today? Are we anywhere close to creating robots like we have seen in The Stepford Wives and Westworld? Use the internet to look up specific examples of current use of robots and the types of robots that are being developed for the future. 9. What does this movie have to say about human nature? 10. How does this movie illustrate the search for the soul? Bladerunner Bladerunner 1. Who are the replicants and how are they created? 2. What roles do the replicants play in this future society? 3. Why are the replicants upset about their position in this society? 4. How is the “corporation” portrayed in this society? 5. Why did the Dekard’s friend not know she was a replicant? What was her reaction to learning that she was not a human? How were her memories of childhood developed if she had never been a child? 6. What role do the genetic engineer’s toys play in his life? 7. What hints are given that Dekard is actually a replicant? 8. The film concentrates on eyes a great deal. The opening scenes of the replicants eyes, Chew’s artificial eyes, Tyrell’s trifocal glasses that magnify his eyes, the owl’s eyes, Roy playing with plastic eyes in JF’s apartment, both Deckards’s and the replicants eyes glow, the VK test for replicants, and Pris’ raccoon eye make up and use of her eyes to indicate her emotional state are all examples of this. What do you suppose this means? 9. What is the significance of Dekard’s unicorn dream sequence and his discovery of the origami unicorn when he comes to rescue Rachael at the end? 10. How does the Tyrell Corporation’s motto “More human than human” illustrate the theme of this movie? 11. How does the advertisement and promotion of the “Off World” as the next frontier reflect commonly held views towards the exploitation of resources as seen in both Bladerunner, Soylent Green, and Rollerball? 12. Compare Eldon Tyrell to Victor Frankenstein 13. Was Decker a human or a replicant?- Discuss reasons for your opinion I Robot- Outer limits 1. Write a 1000 word essay on what it means to be human. 2. What human characteristics did the robots in Westworld and Adam Link in I Robot display? Future of Humanity Movies- Utopias and Dystopias Rollerball 1. What is the function of the Rollerball competition in this society? 2. What is the major science fiction theme of this movie? (See your handouts) 3. Why do the executives want rid of Jonathan E? 4. What is a multinational corporation? Is it possible that they could someday replace governments and control the world as is seen in this movie? Why or why not? 5. What role did violence play in ancient cultures, such as Rome? How does this compare with the role of modern professional sports in our culture? 6. How is artificial intelligence portrayed in this movie? 7. What science fiction theme is represented by the scene in the movie where the partygoers are randomly blowing up trees for fun? (See your handouts) 8. What role do executives like Mr. Bartholomew have in this futuristic society? Who compares to them in our present society? 9. Would there be any possible benefits to replacing governments with multinational corporations. 10. Compare the portrayal of women in this society to that of the Stepford Wives and the Invasion of the Body snatchers? Fahrenheit 451 1.Why is the movie titled “Fahrenheit 451”? Is this assumption accurate? 2. What is the role of the firemen in the movie? Why don’t they put out fires as they do today? 3. What is the symbolic significance of: a. finding the first book hidden in a light b. hiding books inside a TV set 4. Why does this future society want to destroy books? 5. What is the function of the “Family on the Wall”? 6. Why is it significant that Montag first reads the passage in David Copperfield called “I am born”? 7. What purpose to the information boxes serve? Do people use them for their intended purpose? 8. What were the schools like in the movie? Why was the teacher fired? 9. How does the captain know so much about the books? Why does he feel that all books are bad? 10. Why was it ironic and symbolic that Mein Kampf was one of the books to be destroyed? 11. In the House burning scene, why is so much time spent showing Salvadore Dali’s paintings? 12. Why did the old woman choose to die rather than part with her books? 13. How did the woman react to Montag’s reading to them? 14. Do you read books that have not been assigned to you in school? In your opinion, what is the value and impact of reading books in your life? (500 words) Soylent Green 1. Describe the future as it is presented in the introduction of this movie. What conditions are the people living under, and what has caused them? 2. Compare today’s human population with what it was just 50 years ago. How many people are predicted for Earth in the next 50 years? How many people can Earth support? 3.Why could meat become more expensive in the future? Look up energy flow through the ecosystem to explain your answer. 4.What do people in today’s overpopulated cultures depend on for their major source of food energy? Why could we feed more people if we did not eat meat? 5 . What or who is the major threat in to humanity in this movie? 6.How does this society deal with the elderly? What options do they have?How does this compare with the rights of elderly or terminally ill patients in our society? (See Dr. Kevorkian controversy and euthanasia) 7. Why are certain people assigned as “Books” in this movie? How does this prediction reflect attitudes and practices in our present society? How is this reminiscent of Fahrenheit 451? 8. Research oceanic food chains. What role does phytoplankton play in our global ecology? 9. What conditions could endanger phytoplankton populations today? 10. What was soylent green supposed to be made of? What was it really made off? 11.Why was Simonson (the executive) killed? 12. How are women portrayed in this movie? 13. Cannibalism is a frightening prospect, even in wafer form. Research this phenomenon in both humans and other animals, giving examples of organisms who engage in this behavior and explaining why they do so. 14. If you were sick or elderly, would you choose to end your life the way that Sol did? If you did, what would you have them program for you to view in the last few moments of your life? Write a 500 word essay explaining what you would choose and why. Logan’s Run 1. What possible reasons could there be for a future human population to establish completely enclosed habitats in which to live? 2. Are there any present day environmental problems that could lead to the above? Explain each of them. 3. How is population control dealt with in this movie? 4. How have the people been brainwashed to accept their fates in this movie? 5. How are babies created in this society? Is this technology available today? Explain. 6. What religious themes are presented in this movie? How do “carousel”, the runners’ symbol (Ankh), and “sanctuary” relate to present day beliefs? 7. What is the significance of the frozen bodies that are guarded by the cyborg? 8. Why does Logan want the population to see the old man? 9. Devise a plot for a sequel to “Logan’s Run”. What dangers and problems might the inhabitants of the city face in a future movie? 10 Compare and contrast the themes presented in "Logan's Run" with those presented in "The Island We go to the Aliens: 2001- A Space Odyssey Considered to be the greatest science fiction movie of all time, 2001 forces us to consider both the origins and the destiny of the human race, as well a providing a look at possible future relationships between humans and computers 1. Compare and contrast how the early humanoids behaved before and after the appearance of the monolith. 2. What is the significance of the primitive hominid’s discovery of the use of the bone to kill for food and defend the waterhole? 3. Look up the evolution of humans and answer the following questions: A. When and where did the earliest hominids evolve? What were they called? B. Who were the first human ancestors to colonize Europe and Asia? When? C. What advantages do humans have over other organisms? D. How long did Neanderthal man survive? E. When did anatomically modern humans ( Homo sapiens) replace Neanderthals in Europe and become the last surviving species of man on Earth? F. For what fraction of Earth’s total existence has modern man been around? G. Genetically, how closely related to chimpanzees are humans? 4. Discuss the religious overtones that can be seen in this movie. 5. Compare HAL to the other embodiments of artificial intelligence that we have seen. a. How does he compare to the Krell computer on Forbidden Planet? b. The Computer on Rollerball? 6. Give evidence from the movie that displays HAL’s human characteristics. 7. How does this movie represent the theme of man vs. machine? Who wins? 8. What is the significance of surviving astronauts visions of the human life cycle near the end of the movie? 9. Where did the monoliths come from and why were they planted where they were? Forbidden Planet 1. Critically acclaimed as one of the best of the 50's science fiction movies, Forbidden Planet is actually based on a famous play. a. From which play is the plot of this movie lifted? b. Compare the main characters of the movie with those in the play. 2. Who were the Krell and what happened to them? 3. What is a hologram, how are they created, and what are they used for? 4. In the movie, a Krell machine is used to measure brain waves and IQ. a. What is the definition of IQ, how is it measured, and what does the number indicate about a person? b. Discuss the types of brain waves in humans. What does each type signify and at what times is each type the most active? 5. What is the "Id" mentioned in the movie? 6. What exactly was the monster in this movie? 7. What is the theme of this movie? What does it say about humanity? 8. what is ironic about the fact that Robbie self destructs when ordered to kill the monster? Contact 1. Prepare a brief description of the S.E.T.I. Project. What is its purpose and what methods are used to gather data. Have there been any results? 2. How is the concept of Faith explored in the movie? Is Faith viewed in the same context at the beginning and the end of the movie? 3. What is a wormhole? Is there any scientific basis for theories of the existence of hyperspace portals or wormholes?4. Research blackholes. Do they differ from wormholes? Do blackholes create wormholes? 5. When Jodi Foster goes on her “mission”, she thinks that she has been gone for a long time, but the observers on Earth claim that she was only gone for a few seconds, if that. How does this relate to present and past theories in physics?6. 6. What is the probability of life existing in places in the universe other than Earth? 7. Why is it so outstanding that life may exist only on Earth, at least in our solar system? What factors have made life on Earth possible? Playing God and All Powerful Artificial Intelligence Movies- Dark City Frankenstein The Fly Jurassic Park Collosis- the Forbin Project War Games