ERTH 1155 - Earth Science in Pop Culture

From disaster movies to sci-fi thrillers, pop culture frequently brings Earth Science into the spotlight—but how accurate are these portrayals? This course explores the intersection of Earth Science and media, critically analyzing how topics like natural disasters, climate change, space exploration, and geologic phenomena are represented in films, television, video games, and literature. Through case studies of popular works such as The Day After Tomorrow, Dante’s Peak, Interstellar, The Core, Don’t Look Up, etc. students will compare fictional depictions with real scientific principles. We will look at the literature underpinning the science in these works and examine how entertainment shapes public perception, influences policy discussions, and sometimes spreads misinformation

Prerequisite or Corequisite: None.

When Offered: SPRING TERM ANNUALLY

Graded: GRADED

Credit Hours: 4