Science in Hollywood: Fact or Fiction

Johns Hopkins University

Course Number: AS.020.301Credits: 1

Course Director: Rebecca Keener

Ph.D. Candidate, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

Department of Molecular Biology and Genomics

When: Class will meet three times a week for 2 hour sessions beginning the week of January 19, 2017.

Where:TBD

Learning objectives: (Why should you take this course?)

In this class we will combine the fantasy of cinema with the realism of modern science. Movies often require some scientific explanation to lend credibility to the plot. Sometimes their explanations are simplified versions of real research; other times the science isstretched so far the science fiction turns to comedy. By the end of the course students will:

  • Understand advanced genome sequencing and assembly technologies
  • Debate the ethics and public policy of genome editing
  • Appreciate the role of film as a method of science communication to the public and the associated responsibilities
  • Explain why, with current technology, humans will never be immortal but a “zombie” takeover could happen

Course expectations: (Should you take this course?)

There is a wide variety of science in cinema; we will focus our discussion on cell biology and genetics.Therefore, this course is targeted towards students interested in, or already majoring in, biology or biochemistry and who have an interest in advanced genetics and cell biology. Students will be expected to read introductory articles and public interest science articles, in addition to watching several movie clips, prior to class. In class, students will be expected to participate in meaningful discussions exploring their opinions on the subject matter.

Grading: 20% Attendance, 15% Completion of Pre-test, 15% Completion of Post-test, 40% Instructor’s evaluation of class presentation, 10% Peer’s evaluation of class presentation. This course is pass/fail (S/U); if your final grade is greater than 60% you will pass.

Attendance policy:If you know you will have to miss one speak to the instructor at the beginning of the course. Otherwise missed classes will not be excused.

Evaluation of Class Presentation:You will choose a film that provides a scientific explanation of the plot and evaluate their explanation. You may use a film of your choice or one from the list provided by the instructor. Only one student may present each film. Your presentation should include a key video clip, a summary of the science, an explanation of the real science involved, and a critique of the film’s explanation. Presentations should be 10 minutes long. A grading rubric will be provided in advance of your presentation. Both the instructor and students will evaluate the presentation using the rubric.

Course Outline:

  1. Zombies - World War Z/ 28 Days Later
  2. students will take the pre-test
  3. animal to human transmitted viruses (rabies, Swine Flu, Zika)
  4. prions (Tribal practices in Papua New Guinea, Mad Cow Disease)
  5. Becoming Immortal – Mr. Nobody/ Helix
  6. telomeres
  7. mechanisms of aging
  8. potential guest speaker – Dr. Carol Greider
  9. Superhumans - X-men/ Spiderman
  10. evolution
  11. genes, sequencing, human genome project
  12. allele variants inthe population, 23 and me
  13. Cloning – The Island/ Total Recall/ the 6th Day
  14. status of cloning technology today, Dolly, cloning adult stem cells
  15. ethics of cloning
  16. Making extinct animals – Jurassic Park/Alien Resurrection
  17. assembling extinct animal genome
  18. assembly of Neanderthal genome
  19. hypothetical discussion: ethics of re-introducing an extinct organism
  20. Genetic Enhancement – Gattaca/ Die Another Day
  21. gene editing in adults (RNAi)
  22. advances in gene editing technologies (CRISPR)
  23. ethics of gene editing
  24. Discussion on Public Policy and Science Communication
  25. public view of research/ science communication
  26. current policy on cloning and genetic enhancement
  27. potential guest speaker from Berman Institute of Bioethics
  28. Class Presentations – day 1
  29. each presentation should be 10 minutes
  30. at most 10 people will present during this session
  31. Class Presentations – day 2 or Extra Clips
  32. if more than 10 students are enrolled the rest will go at this time
  33. if there are only 10 students then extra clips will be discussed
  34. I am Legend – vaccine development
  35. The Matrix – limits of human energy production
  36. students will take the post-test

Statement of Academic Integrity:Academic misconduct is any intentional or

unintentional act that provides an unfair or improper advantage beyond a student’s

own work, intellect, or effort, including but not limited to cheating, fabrication,

plagiarism, or helping others engage in misconduct. This includes the misuse

of electronic media, text, print, images, speeches, and ideas. Any act that violates

the spirit of authorship or gives undue advantage is a violation.(Johns Hopkins University Code of Conduct, 2007) Students who commit a violation will be reported and reprimanded according to the Code of Conduct. For more information, go to - Undergraduate_Student_Conduct_Code

Accommodation for students with a disability:If you are a student with a documented disability who requires an academic adjustment, auxiliary aid or other similar accommodations, please contact the Office of Student Affairs at 410-955-3416.

Johns Hopkins Institutions Diversity and Inclusion Statement:

Johns Hopkins is a community committed to sharing values of diversity and inclusion in order to achieve and sustain excellence. We firmly believe that we can best promote excellence by recruiting and retaining a diverse group of students, faculty and staff and by creating a climate of respect that is supportive of their success. This climate for diversity, inclusion and excellence is critical to attaining the best research, scholarship, teaching, health care and other strategic goals of the Health System and the University. Taken together these values are recognized and supported fully by the Johns Hopkins Institutions leadership at all levels. Further, we recognize that the responsibility for excellence, diversity and inclusion lies with all of us at the Institutions: leadership, administration, faculty, staff and students.