Classroom Use of Narrative and Documentary Film Leads to an Enhanced Understanding of Cultural Diversity and Ethics in Science

Oct 15, 2026

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A first-year seminar learning activity called Windows on Science uses cooperative teaching with narrative and documentary film to address undergraduate learning principles. Screening films supports students’ understanding of cultural diversity and highlights African American contributions to science and scientific methods. The approach also raises ethical conduct issues in the sciences and encourages discussion of women’s leadership in science and technology. Results indicate film-based pedagogy effectively builds awareness of diversity and ethics while promoting minority and women’s contributions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

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Classroom Use of Narrative and Documentary Film Leads to an Enhanced Understanding of Cultural Diversity and Ethics in Science Edward L. F. González1, C. Thomas Lewis2, Denise Slayback-Barry3 and Robert W. Yost3, 4 1University Library, 2Department of Human-Centered Computing, 3Department of Biology, 4Course coordinator, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indiana 46202 *Corresponding Author: [elgonzal@iupui.edu](elgonzal@iupui.edu) Abstract: For a first-year seminar, Windows on Science, the authors developed a cooperative learning activity around film designed to meet two of the campus-wide Principles of Undergraduate Learning. The teaching method utilizes the power of storytelling by screening narrative and documentary films. In the process, the methodology helps students to realize the contributions of many cultures, specifically African Americans, to our knowledge of science and the advancement of scientific methodology. Additionally, students are exposed to issues that focus on ethical conduct in the sciences and that provide an opportunity to discuss the leadership role that women have played in advancing science and technology. A pedagogical approach using narrative and documentary film in a freshman science course is an effective means for promoting an understanding of the endeavors and contributions of minorities and women in science, and for developing an increased awareness of issues concerning diversity and ethics. Key words: African Americans, Science Instruction, Science Education, Multicultural Education, Ethics, Identity Concept, Narrative Theory, Documentaries, Films, Scientists, First Year Seminar. INTRODUCTION Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) is an urban campus with over 200 programs and an enrollment of 30,000 students. Since 1996, the School of Science has required entering freshman to take a first year seminar course called Windows on Science. This course is intended to guide students along the pathway to success and at the same time introduce them to significant historical events and challenges that have had an impact on science. IUPUI has adopted six Principles of Undergraduate Learning (PUL) that have been integrated across the IUPUI curriculum (Hamilton, Banta and Evenbeck, 2006) . PUL 5: Understanding Culture and Diversity and PUL 6: Values and Ethics are key components of the exercise described here. The sections of the Windows on Science taught by the authors each had a total of 20 to 30 biology students with an additional 3 or 4 students pursuing other science majors. The method has been employed for 6 semesters. To facilitate the process of teaching cultural diversity and ethics in the context of science we have instituted a novel approach that combines: 1) development of a central prompt (Andrews, 1980); 2) multicultural science education goals; and 3) media and communication research on character identification concepts and narrative theories related to the power of film to transform (Cohen, 2001; Kozloff, 1987) . A literature review in the Education Resources Information Center (ERIC) index indicates the use of teaching methods integrating narrative and documentary films in primary, secondary and higher education is a ubiquitous practice in the humanities and social sciences. Moreover, a review of the literature covered by the General Science Abstract Index failed to find any reference to the use of both narrative and documentary films on the same topic, such as, Something the Lord Made and Partners of the Heart, to facilitate classroom discussion on the understanding of cultural diversity and ethical values in science. Both of the aforementioned films are based on the story of Mr. Vivien Thomas, an African American who pioneered and taught heart surgery procedures at Johns Hopkins Medical School. When viewed together these films provide a unique opportunity to highlight the multicultural aspects of science and medicine, while at

FAQs

What learning activity does the article describe for first-year students?

It describes a cooperative learning activity for a first-year seminar called Windows on Science that uses narrative and documentary films to meet undergraduate learning principles.

How do the films help students understand cultural diversity in science?

By screening films that highlight contributions of many cultures, especially African Americans, and by using identification and documentary veracity to shape how students engage with the science story.

What ethical and leadership topics are connected to the film-based method?

The method exposes students to issues focused on ethical conduct in the sciences and provides opportunities to discuss the leadership role women have played in advancing science and technology.

Oct 15, 2026

Upload by Ben