Interdisciplinary Course Connects Biology, Astronomy, Physics and Filmmaking at Kennedy Mountain Campus
DU students engaged in nature photography. Photo by Joe Brown.
This summer, students at the University of Denver participated in the collaborative and innovative course, “Ways of Seeing & Sensing,” at the Kennedy Mountain Campus (KMC). The curriculum, jointly developed by the Department of Biological Sciences, the Department of Physics & Astronomy, and the Department of Media, Film & Journalism Studies (MFJS), brought students together in multidisciplinary teams to explore biology, ecology, astronomy, filmmaking, science communication, and storytelling.
Co-taught by Joe Brown, MFJS associate professor, Jennifer Hoffman, physics & astronomy professor, and Julie Morris, teaching professor in biological sciences, the course offered a location-based learning experience centered on the idea that how we “see” or “sense” the world around us shapes how we understand it. At KMC, students examined natural systems through both micro and macro perspectives, using tools ranging from microscopes and trail cameras to telescopes.
"The dark sky at KMC makes it an amazing site for stargazing. It's super rewarding for me to give students a good view of the Milky Way,” said Hoffman. "Many of them have never seen it before, and I think seeing it first-hand is a powerful experience that reminds us of our place in the larger Universe."
Hoffman and Morris also led sessions on light and color, connecting concepts from physics and biology to expand students' awareness of the “Umwelt,” the sensory landscape through which plants and animals in the KMC environment experience the world.
“When we slow down and take the time to truly observe nature more closely — whether it’s the movement of stars, the pattern on a leaf, or the behavior of a bird — we begin to see the complexity and interconnectedness of the world around us,” said Morris. “Ecology teaches us that everything is connected.”
Unlike the typical classroom setting, this course encouraged students to step outside disciplinary boundaries, both figuratively and literally. For students in the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences (CAHSS), this experience not only offered a chance to collaborate across fields and begin creating their photography and videography portfolios, but it also provided a literal breath of fresh mountain air.
“It was great to see students mix with peers from other colleges and to watch them turn into skilled nature photographers in one week,” Brown said. “Many started the week worried that they weren't creative people, but by the end of the week, they were proud of the portfolios they had developed."
Students also produced short films to complement their photo portfolios. This involved filming various aspects of nature, stars in the night sky, and even attaching cameras to microscopes. Historically, student films from this course perform well when shared broadly with the public.
“One of our short films from the 2024 class, 'Mountain Shrimp,' has been accepted by three film festivals. I also expect our 2025 short film, 'The Living Code,' to do well at festivals,” Brown said.
As a final assignment, MFJS students reflected on the course through essays, photography and film. Drawing on philosopher John Locke, Cayla Filpi, a CAHSS student double-majoring in film studies & production and psychology, observed that “all ideas capable of conscious understanding are derived from interaction with physical senses,” noting Locke’s belief that individuals begin as “blank slates.” Through “seeing” and “sensing,” students at KMC expanded their understanding of the world and discovered how disciplines can intersect to create new ways of knowing.
"'Ways of Seeing and Sensing' was one of the best experiences I've had at DU. I found all the material from each discipline extremely interesting by itself and even more so when it was all connected,” said Cole Kyle, an undergraduate student in environmental science. “I've since been inspired to take up astrophotography myself."
Public policy student Luke Miller recounts when half of the class woke up early to look at the morning sky, catching a glimpse of the International Space Station: “This class was one of my favorite experiences at DU,” he said. “The best thing about this experience is that everyone finds something to get excited about, and it’s usually something that wasn't on their radar before."
Brown sees great promise in inventive, cross-disciplinary courses like this one at DU, and he looks forward to next year’s iteration while still celebrating this year’s projects and portfolios.
“I'd encourage those teaching at DU to reach out to others with shared interests across departments and see what excites them. Then start brainstorming. If you’re willing to put in the work, you can create something truly unique for your students.”
To view more work from KMC, click here.
