Media Project

Watch a disaster movie (such as one of the examples listed below, or another film that fits this category). Evaluate the accuracy of the movie from a scientific perspective and defend your evaluation with evidence. Is it effective? Does it exaggerate or even misrepresent the science behind these events or their effects? You must state an opinion about the state of the science represented in the movie and then defend it.

This is a significant assignment within this course as it asks you to draw upon content from the semester to construct arguments and defend a point of view. It asks you to conduct research in which you read several peer-reviewed articles and use them to consider the accuracy of how events are portrayed or described in the movie.

Format: This project could be a paper (length ~7pages), a podcast, video, or other media presentation of similar length (ie. a podcast of ~7 min).

In defending your main argument for your project, refer directly to examples from the movie and then use a combination of primary and secondary sources (including the textbook and course materials) to make your arguments. You may also incorporate web sources, such as articles or videos, but take care to choose reliable ones material that comes from sites that have a vested interest in being accurate (ie. sites hosted by universities, NASA, USGS, etc).

In science-writing, direct quotations should be used only when absolutely necessary. However, when you are drawing from one of your sources to make a statement or provide evidence, even in your own words, you need to cite that source with an in-text citation. If you are making a video or a podcast, you should verbally or visually reference your source that you are drawing from. At the end of the project, a full list of references must be provided (either APA or MLA formats are accepted).

Potential Movie Choices
San Andreas
The Day After Tomorrow
The Core
Armageddon
Dantes Peak
2012(the film)
Volcano
Contact
Earthquake
Crack in the World (1965)
Deep Impact
Meteor
The Perfect Storm
Martian
Sunshine
Dont Look Up
Twister
Flood
Geostorm
?The Wandering Earth (requires subtitles)
This Wikipedia list (under natural disasters) is another resource: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_disaster_films#Natural_disasters
*There are lots more, just let me know what you plan to watch or if you need some help researching options that are freely available (Netflix/Hulu/etc. options vary monthly)
Rubric
Category Expert Proficient Apprentice Novice
Writing/speaking
[10 pts] No spelling &/or grammar mistakes Minimal spelling &/or grammar mistakes Noticeable spelling &/or grammar mistakes Numerous spelling or grammar mistakes
Thesis or Main Arguments
[40 pts] Main arguments are all effectively supported both by specific examples from the movie and evidence from research sources Main arguments are mostly supported both by specific examples from the movie and evidence from sources Main arguments are often not supported by both specific examples from the movie and evidence from research Few arguments are supported by specific examples from the movie or evidence from research
Integration of Knowledge
[30 pts] The project demonstrates that the author fully understands and has applied concepts learned in the course. Concepts are integrated into the writers own insights. The writer provides concluding remarks that show analysis and synthesis of ideas.
The project demonstrates that the author, for the most part, understands and has applied concepts learned in the course. Some of the conclusions, however, are not supported in the body of the project.
The paper demonstrates that the author, to a certain extent, understands and has applied concepts learned in the course. The project does not demonstrate that the author has fully understood and applied concepts learned in the course.

Sources
[10 pts] More than 6 sources, at least 3 of which are peer-reviewed journals or textbooks. All web sites utilized are authoritative.
6 sources, of which 2 are peer-reviewed journal articles or textbooks. All websites used are authoritative. Fewer than 6 sources or fewer than 2 are peer-reviewed journal articles or textbooks. All websites used are credible. Fewer than 6 sources or fewer than 2 are peer-reviewed journal article or textbooks. Not all websites used are credible.
Referencing
[10 pts] Consistent referencing within the text or dialogue to attribute the sources of information and support arguments Mostly consistent referencing within text or dialogue to attribute sources Minimal referencing within text of dialogue to attribute sources No referencing within text or dialogue to attribute sources

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