Course Description
This course takes a look at the ways in which evolutionary and ecological principles such as predator prey relationships, foraging strategies, megafuana extinction and ecological issues such as hunting, environmental degradation and climate change are represented in popular film and documentaries. The public has a deep interest in the way that ecosystems work, but nature is not always kind, and films must walk a line between telling a story that will capture the audience’s attention and portraying nature as it really is. Moreover, films and documentaries use different approaches to capture public interest and shape public opinion. In this class, you will be asked to become familiar with ecological and evolutionary principles and ecological issues, and then to use your understanding of those principles to critique popular film. The final class project involves a paper/digital presentation that critiques the ecological or evolutionary principles presented in a movie of your choice.
This course takes a look at the ways in which evolutionary and ecological principles such as predator prey relationships, foraging strategies, megafuana extinction and ecological issues such as hunting, environmental degradation and climate change are represented in popular film and documentaries. The public has a deep interest in the way that ecosystems work, but nature is not always kind, and films must walk a line between telling a story that will capture the audience’s attention and portraying nature as it really is. Moreover, films and documentaries use different approaches to capture public interest and shape public opinion. In this class, you will be asked to become familiar with ecological and evolutionary principles and ecological issues, and then to use your understanding of those principles to critique popular film. The final class project involves a paper/digital presentation that critiques the ecological or evolutionary principles presented in a movie of your choice.
- Teacher: Cheryl Swift