Introduction
What is science? How does it get made, circulate, acquire meaning, and have effects in our lives? What role do media and communication play in establishing, reworking, or disrupting our relationship to sc
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Introduction
What is science? How does it get made, circulate, acquire meaning, and have effects in our lives? What role do media and communication play in establishing, reworking, or disrupting our relationship to science?
In this class, we study the communication of science through different channels, exploring the relationship between science and a range of specialist and popular media.
Overview of Classes
The class begins with a discussion of different conceptions of science and their significance for our lives, asking ‘what is science’ and exploring the dominant images of science, scientists, and publics in our lives before asking why the representations and practices of science matter.
We then examine different theoretical models for the relationship of science and communication (such as the deficit model and the framing model). These models do permit us to highlight different aspects of the relationship of science and communication, and we will study them both abstractly (as a general orientation to science) and as heuristic devices for making sense of our own experiences (by looking at how these models operate with respect to particular sciences in specific contexts).
Class Format
The class will be a mix of lecture, reading, occasional screenings, invited guest visits, and group-of-the-whole discussion.
Objectives
The main objective is for you to establish a conceptual understanding of the different ways that science and communication are related. If you complete the class, you should: 1) be able to observe how the theoretical models discussed in class structure popular depictions of science, 2) have an informed view of how science shapes your life, and 3) have more understandings of the relationship between science, culture, and the media. You will also be prepared for more advanced study on the subject and have some initial experience with participatory and citizen science platforms.
Evaluation
Evaluation Explained
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