Year 1 (Certificate)
A breakdown of courses currently on offer during Year 1.
Year 1
Introduction to Science Communication and Public Engagement (10 credits)
This course provides an introduction to the fields of Science Communication and Public Engagement and their role in contemporary society. It examines the many purposes for science communication and the drivers which influence practices throughout the world.
Science Education (10 credits)
This theme will explore formal science education and science teaching methods from the perspective of a science communicator. It will include:
- an introduction to science curricula, both national and international
- theories of how children learn science
- misconceptions in science,
- working with schools and teachers
- managing groups and behaviour
- enhancing the school science curriculum
- the interaction of formal and informal science learning.
Understanding Science (10 credits)
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.
Principles and practice in public engagement with science (10 credits)
The field of public engagement has undergone rapid development in the last decade and public engagement is emerging as an area of academic scholarship, grounded in practice. Whilst many different methodologies and approaches for public engagement exist, generic guiding principles are emerging which can be applied, regardless of the methodology or type of engagement. We will explore these guiding principles and consider evaluation methodologies and their role in the enhancement of quality public engagement. Personal attributes and the value of reflective practice will be explored and discussed using contextual examples.
Science in context (10 credits)
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.
The Role of Social Media in Science Communication and Public Engagement (10 credits)
This course examines the range of Social Media tools available and studies their use in a Science Communication/public engagement context. The opportunities and challenges of communicating science in an accurate and approachable way through social media will be examined through group discussion of several case studies. The case studies will include examples of how social media forms one aspect of public engagement programmes and how different channels can be combined effectively. The challenges of understanding the needs, expectations and concerns of specific audiences will be examined. The issues and ethics around the use of social media tools will be considered. Accessibility and the appropriateness of using these media will also be discussed. We will look at how to find the right 'voice' and tone for your audience.