SCIF1004 Science and the Cinema
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SCIF1004 – Term 2 2025
Discussion Piece Information
The discussion piece is worth 40% of the course. The assessment item must be submitted via
Moodle. Please note, that failure to submit by the deadline will carry a 5-mark a day penalty
(assignment is out of 100 marks) up to 5 days where the penalty will be 100-marks (this is
UNSW policy).
On to the assessment item, so far on this course you should have seen (from watching
the lectures and films) that science and scientists can be portrayed in a variety of different
ways, such as:
Science/Scientists can be portrayed as shining lights, striving to make the future a better
place…
Science/Scientists can be shown as a force of evil, highlighting how manipulation can have
catastrophic results…
Or
Some films depict science/scientists in a balanced manner, highlighting the good that can be
done but giving a forewarning of potential problems…
Your task is to write a discussion piece on how a science/scientific concept has been
portrayed in film, you should frame your piece in line with one of the italicised statements
(vide supra). In your piece you may use films from the course or others of your own choosing.
If you choose a film that is not part of this course then it is a good idea to first consult the FAQ
list (then if you still are not sure contact the course coordinator) to see if your film is suitable;
a common issue when selecting your own film is that the science involved is not actually
science and instead is merely a bunch of made up terms used as a plot device, your
assignment is to discuss the portrayal of science in film not the plot of a bunch of films
(although some context will be needed). Also, the discussion piece is not supposed to be an
attack on a series of films, highlighting the absurdity of what transpires or what “fake” science
was depicted.
An example of a good assignment:
You are discussing ‘science X’… Film A only shows X in a positive light; however, you have seen
film B and in it X was approached with caution, you could therefore discuss how in film A
although the science is only portrayed in a positive light, it could also conceivably be misused
as in film B’s depiction. You then go onto discuss what impact these films have had on your
own thinking about X…
An example of a bad assignment:
You watch film A… You discuss how you know that film A would never happen, ‘science X’
does not allow ‘plot point’ to happen, in fact ‘alternate plot point’ would have happened, film
B also makes the same assumption about X again so ‘plot point’ would not happen…
SCIF1004 Science and the Cinema
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Or
You watch film A… You discuss how ‘made up words disguised as science’ allowed mankind to
talk to ‘magical space fairies’, the ‘magical space fairies’ turn out to be evil and plot to
overthrow mankind. In film B however the ‘magical space fairies’ are benevolent and give
mankind the technology to explore the stars…
Now I would like to point out that in the ‘magical space fairies’ scenario, you could
actually turn this into a good assignment by instead discussing space exploration/first
encounters and how mankind might need to be weary as we explore the ‘final frontier’… It’s
all about context, selection of films and the science/theme are equally important.
The assignment is to be 1000 (900-1100) words (not including references – as in telling
the assessor where the work came from does not count towards the word limit), references
can be in any widely accepted style (although I would recommend using Oxford, Harvard or
Vancouver style). Note, writing a section of text in inverted commas (even correctly
referenced) still counts towards the word count. Yes, you must reference the films you watch
and any articles that relate to the science that you used for research. There are no limits to
how many references you may use, although I would say that you do not want to use too
many films as you only have around 1000 words for the assignment.
Key dates:
Submission deadline: Friday 4th July
FAQs:
Do I have to use 2 films, can I just use 1?
The number of films has no bearing on your grade; one, two, or more, use however many you
want but I would recommend one or two as you have a limited word count
Can I use film X?
Consult the FAQ film list, if still in doubt, send the coordinator an email
Can you check my work before I submit?
I’m sorry, there are far too many students for us to pre-grade or check before submission in
an equitable manner, so no
I have never studied science, am I disadvantaged?
Not at all, this course is designed as a general education course, you do not need to know
anything about the topics we cover before we begin, the course does not directly assess how
much science you know and instead focuses on how “the science” comes across to an
audience. If anything, this course focuses on critical analysis and communication skills more
than anything else
SCIF1004 Science and the Cinema
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Common Pitfalls:
Before you start your work, please remember the following:
• The piece is a discussion piece, it should have a “voice” or a narrative, you are not just
making statements of fact
• You must communicate in a way that shows how an audience would view the film(s),
you do not have to directly state “the audience would”
• You are not to just go through the plot of the film(s)
• You are not to point out issues with plots
• You are not to point out inaccuracies in film(s), film(s) have artistic licence
Assessment Rubric:
A general note on how a rubric works, in order to be awarded a level you must complete all
of the criteria in an ‘area of the grid’, each area builds on from the last i.e. you cannot be
awarded a higher level if you have not fully satisfied all of the criteria in every area that
precedes it (unless it is a null statement in the previous area). Also, each level of the rubric
will have a weighting so you can see how you will be graded, the rubric is also there to help
my markers assess your work and also to give you feedback.
Please consult the assessment document for more information of the assessment
process. The rubric on Moodle has the mark allocations for each area so you can see which
areas are worth more marks.
SCIF1004 Science and the Cinema
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Assessment
Area
Level
0 1 2 3 4
Scientific Context
[18]
No scientific
theme
presented
[0]
No common
theme is
presented,
piece is
multiple non- related themes
[6]
A single scientific
theme/science is
discussed, or
multiple themes
are presented
that are linked
[10]
Student shows
good evidence
of
understanding
the science/
scientific
theme(s)
[14]
Student shows
clear evidence
of
understanding
the science/
scientific
theme(s)
[18]
Context of
Science in the
Discussion
[20]
No
discussion
occurs
[0]
A lack of a
discussion
and/or no link
between the
film(s) and
science
[8]
There is evidence
of a link between
the film(s) and
the science being
presented
[12]
There is a
clear link
between the
film(s) and the
science being
presented
[16]
The film(s) and
science are
clearly linked
and are used to
support the
discussion in the
piece
[20]
Construction of
Discussion
[24]
No
discussion
occurs
[0]
A discussion
occurs but it is
difficult to
follow (goes off
on tangents or
provides
irrelevant
details and/or
comments)
[6]
The discussion
stays on point for
the most part
with only minor
parts not being
on point
[12]
The discussion
flows and
stays on point
throughout
[18]
A high level
discussion
occurs that is
persuasive,
clearly
articulated and
has a logical
structure
[24]
Conclusion
[8]
No
conclusion
[0]
A concluding
sentence is
given
[2]
A few sentences
are provided that
conclude the
piece
[4]
An
appropriate
conclusion is
given
[6]
A well
rationalised and
present
conclusion is
present
[8]
Referencing
[20]
No
references
[0]
A reference is
given
[8]
References given
in accepted
format, with only
minor errors
[12]
References
given in
accepted
format, with
no errors
[16]
Every reference
is suitable, i.e.
each lends
weight to the
discussion
[20]
Communication
[8]
Poor use of
English
language,
as such it is
difficult to
comprehend
[0]
Reasonable use
of the English
language, with
multiple
spelling and/or
or grammatical
errors
[2]
Acceptable use
of the English
language, minor
spelling or
grammatical
errors
[4]
Good use of
English
language,
with only a
minor spelling
or
grammatical
error
[6]
A clear and well- articulated piece
is presented
with no spelling
or grammatical
errors
[8]
Length of Piece
[2]
Piece is not
of the
appropriate
length
[0]