This one-credit, half-term minicourse focuses on a few major geological and oceanographic concepts in a lecture setting while also exploring how these same processes are portrayed in popular feature films, both animated and not. This will allow students to learn to reflect critically on the use or misuse of scientific concepts in popular culture, specifically movies. Topics include surface and deep ocean circulation, glacial/interglacial cycles, Earth's internal structure, plate tectonics, volcanoes and earthquakes, coral reefs, life in the ocean, and climate change. A selection of movies that students will be required to watch outside of class time is: The day after tomorrow, The ice age, The core, San Andreas.

Course Requirements:

Two exams to be taken on Canvas.

Intended Audience:

All undergraduate students, no prior scientific knowledge is required.

Class Format:

Depending on COVID conditions, the course will either be entirely online and asynchronous, or entirely in-person and synchronous.