SCOM 419: Special Topics - Critical & Creative Thinking in Science Communication
Overview
This course provides an exercise in critical thinking about modern science and its historical drivers, i.e. how did we get to thinking about things this way? It addresses not only definitions of science from multiple sectors of society, but also examines what we expect of science. As such, this course is also about debunking the myth of science as separate from society. By understanding what science is, and how it is portrayed, this course aims to both increase our confidence in communicating science, and our understanding of the imperative of doing this. The course also explores how critical thinking about science, and employing an integrative multi-disciplinary approach, produces a creative means for engaging and involving society with science.
Objectives:
Eligibility
Available ONLY to students enrolled in a Master of Science Communication (MSciComm)
Overview
This course provides an exercise in critical thinking about modern science and its historical drivers, i.e. how did we get to thinking about things this way? It addresses not only definitions of science from multiple sectors of society, but also examines what we expect of science. As such, this course is also about debunking the myth of science as separate from society. By understanding what science is, and how it is portrayed, this course aims to both increase our confidence in communicating science, and our understanding of the imperative of doing this. The course also explores how critical thinking about science, and employing an integrative multi-disciplinary approach, produces a creative means for engaging and involving society with science.
Objectives:
- Understand the historical drivers of how we view science, and our contemporary expectations of science.
- Understand the labile nature of science, and its relationship with society.
- Develop the ability and confidence to question and critique scientific concepts (and to source stories there-in).
- Develop the awareness of common drivers between science and the humanities and the value of an integrated approach.
- Gain better understanding of the broad-reaching applications of science communication: beyond informing and inspiring the public, to its role in policy making and trans-disciplinary scientific collaboration.
- Practice in general communication skills (presentations, interviews, essays, PR, debate, etc).
Eligibility
Available ONLY to students enrolled in a Master of Science Communication (MSciComm)