May 01, 2024  
2020-2021 University Catalog 
    
2020-2021 University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

ASEC 58500 - Science Communication


Credit Hours: 3.00.  This course utilizes foundational research and commentary from scholars to track the evolution of media and our ability as scientists to understand and effectively communicate these issues to a non-science audience. Science and technology are evolving faster than societies ability to understand, assimilate, and make policies to address these increasingly complex issues. As a result, controversies arise over issues such as climate change, forest management, genetically modified foods, energy choices, genetic engineering, nanotechnology, water management, and agricultural practices, etc. This course covers the range of issues in the field of science communication including: the nature of science, how to translate evidence for a lay audience, media practices, reporting and qualifying uncertainty, human psychology and belief systems, information processing, and the most current research for messaging science. We will work together to examine the foundational scholarly literature in this area and how it is/ or is not reflected in construction of popular media. You will use this knowledge to construct both compelling oral science narratives, and a science story for popular consumption. Typically offered Spring.Credits: 3.00