Postgraduate Course: Science, Society and the Media (BIME11127)
Course Outline
School | Deanery of Biomedical Sciences |
College | College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine |
Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
Summary | (a) Science Communication in Context: This course explores the development of public engagement from a broadly sociological perspective. It considers the social, cultural and political context in which the public engagement agenda has emerged over the past 20 years, and how this agenda has, in turn, helped shape the governance of science and technology. A key theme pursued throughout the course is the construction of knowledge and expertise in the context of public engagement and in societal issues in which science is a factor.
(b) Perceptions of Science: The course will examine the nature of scientific knowledge. It will explore the scientific method, reflect on established and contested aspects of scientific knowledge and their application in technological advances. Students will examine the communication of science within and beyond the academic community and develop an awareness of how perceptions and (mis)understandings arise. Using contemporary examples and contexts, students will discuss potential stakeholders for issues involving science and identify sources of information, misinformation available to the stakeholders. The course will explore the role of the media in science communication and the alignment and tensions between the objectives of the scientist and the media. |
Course description |
(a) Science Communication in Context: This course explores the development of public engagement from a broadly sociological perspective. It considers the social, cultural and political context in which the public engagement agenda has emerged over the past 20 years, and how this agenda has, in turn, helped shape the governance of science and technology. A key theme pursued throughout the course is the construction of knowledge and expertise in the context of public engagement and in societal issues in which science is a factor.
(b) Perceptions of Science: The course will examine the nature of scientific knowledge. It will explore the scientific method, reflect on established and contested aspects of scientific knowledge and their application in technological advances. Students will examine the communication of science within and beyond the academic community and develop an awareness of how perceptions and (mis)understandings arise. Using contemporary examples and contexts, students will discuss potential stakeholders for issues involving science and identify sources of information, misinformation available to the stakeholders. The course will explore the role of the media in science communication and the alignment and tensions between the objectives of the scientist and the media.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the deficit model of science communication
- Demonstrate an awareness of the development of policy debates about public engagement and an awareness of the key issues
- Demonstrate a knowledge of the conceptual tools and theoretical approaches for the study of public engagement from a social science perspective
- Demonstrate an understanding of the social and political aspects of lay-expert relations and how a social science analysis can further our understanding of these issues
- Demonstrate an understanding of the nature of science and how it is communicated 6. Demonstrate an understanding of the differing motivations and perceptions in non-specialist engagement with science 7. Demonstrate an understanding of the scientist/media relationship
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Contacts
Course organiser | Dr Elizabeth Stevenson
Tel: (0131 6)50 3258
Email: E.Stevenson@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Lisa Kilcullen
Tel: (0131 6)51 5997
Email: L.Kilcullen@ed.ac.uk |
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