Course Description

Science has played an important part in popular culture since cinema began. Over the last few years a number of science and science fiction films have been nominated for Best Picture by the AMPAS (the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences) e.g. Arrival, Hidden Figures, The Shape of Water, The Martian, The Theory of Everything, The Imitation Game, etc. In this course, as the course title suggests, we will examine how science has been portrayed in film. We will focus on how these depictions speak to the relationship between science and society, popular perceptions of what science should and should not do, and finally we will examine how science films can inform our own understanding of what it means to be human.  

Meeting Place and Times

Online

Instructor(s)

John Townsend-Mehler

Tuition and Fees

If you are accepted into a qualified online program, see the appropriate MSU Online Only Tuition and Fee table.

If you are also taking a face-to-face course, please refer to the MSU Fee Schedules.

Required Books/Materials

No required texts

Computer Requirements:

  • Internet access
  • A device and browser that pass the system check for Brightspace LE, MSU's learning management system.

This course uses a learning management system. You will learn more closer to the course start date.

For More Information

Contact the instructor, John Townsend-Mehler.

How to Register

You must be accepted as a student to Montana State University to take this course.

Learn how to apply.

After your application has been accepted, you will register via MSU's online registration system, MyInfo.

Registration requires a PIN. Learn how to find your PIN.

Once you have your PIN, learn how to register through MyInfo.