Postgraduate Course: Science and Society (BIME11050)
Course Outline
| School | Deanery of Biomedical Sciences |
College | College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Available to all 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 |
Not entered
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2015/16, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 30,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 5,
Formative Assessment Hours 10,
Summative Assessment Hours 40,
Other Study Hours 115,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
0 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
* Science Communication in Context: An essay (2500 words) that critically engages with and reflects on a set text. (50%)
* Perceptions of Science: Three short papers: (2 x 700 words and 1 x 800 words) from a range of topics including 'History of science', stakeholder mapping and motivations for involvement in science, press/science relationships. (15%, 15%, 20%) |
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| No Exam Information |
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: |
Course secretary | Ms Marie-Therese Rafferty
Tel: (0131 6)50 3160
Email: |
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