SCI 129 Superhero Science: Super-fact or Super-fiction?
Imagine having the ability to fly, to talk to animals or to teleport. Anyone that grew up reading comic books and science fiction may have already imagined life with super powers. As youth those special powers of our heroes were probably taken for granted. Now as we look back we can ask the question as to whether fantasy has some basis in science. Furthermore, do comics promote an interest in science or do they misrepresent science? This course will not only explore the underlying science (including physics, chemistry and biology) behind some of our favorite superheroes but will also tackle the representation of science in comics like Calvin and Hobbes and The Far Side. Counts as COR non-laboratory science.
Course Types
Non-lab science
Course Outcomes
- Goal #1: Knowledge
Students will increase their understanding of fundamental concepts in physics, chemistry, biology and other sciences.
Outcome 1.1: Students can apply the concepts, theories, facts and skills of physics including laws of motion, gravity, energy, electricity and magnetism
Outcome 1.2: Students can apply the concepts, theories, facts and skills of chemistry including atomic structure, periodic law and quantum mechanics
Outcome 1.3: Students can apply the concepts, theories, facts and skills of biology including evolution and genetics - Goal #2: Problem-Solving
Students will develop the ability to apply content understanding to discuss the use and/or misuse of science in superhero comics and movies and other pop culture (non-superhero) comics.
Outcome 2.1: Students can critique science portrayed in comics and movies, identifying accurate use, correcting misinformation and discussing the use of “technobabble” - Goal #3: Synthesis
Students will develop skills and the ability to creatively display scientific knowledge in new media.
Outcome 3.1: Students can demonstrate and evaluate the portrayal of science topics in single slide presentations
Outcome 3.2: Students can demonstrate a practical application of content through participation in thematic debates