Science in Dialogue

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/AM_1002

Course Objective

To gain knowledge of and insight into:
- the basic concepts and issues in understanding science-society interactions and interfaces, both from a science and technology studies and communication science perspective
- the nature and course of interpersonal and group communication processes relevant to the formal and informal dialogue between science and society
- the nature and form of dialogical science communication, aimed at reflective learning and mutual understanding To acquire or improve:
- individual skills for effective interpersonal communication
- individual skills for the design and facilitation of science-society dialogue

Course Content

This course invites you to explore the democracy of science and technology with a particular focus on the communicative aspects of a fruitful science
- society dialogue. Science, technology and innovation hold a great promise for the progress of our societies. Take for example the opportunities of nanomedicine for targeted drug delivery or synthetic biology for renewably energy or the recycling of plastic waste. At the same time these developments are potentially controversial. They lead to a variety of questions and concerns related to risks, benefits and wider moral issues. For example, nanotechnology may contain risks for health and environment. Synthetic biology may radically change the nature and meaning of life. Clearly, advances in science do not always match the needs, desires and expectations of stakeholders and citizens in society. On the other hand, parts of society might not always appreciate the nature of scientific findings and what they have to offer. For a fruitful relationship between science and society – especially regarding topics that are potentially controversial – a constructive science-society dialogue is necessary. This course offers advanced lectures on the basic concepts and theories about the dynamic relationship of science and society, the nature of societal controversies surrounding science, technology and innovation, and the basic concepts and issues of dialogical science communication: communication, learning, dialogue, understanding, controversy, and democracy. A series of seminars and group assignments present communicative tools and interaction spaces that can be used to design and facilitate science-society interactions. Through training workshops you will focus on improving your individual communication and facilitation skills.

Teaching Methods

Lectures (14h), Workgroups (28h), Training workshops (24h), Dialogue presentations (12h), Selfstudy (remaining hours)

Method of Assessment

Group assignment (50%), Take home exam (30%), Reflection report (20%). All assignments must be passed (grade > 6).

Literature

Is announced on Canvas one month before start of the course

Target Audience

Optional course in the MSc specialization Science Communication

Additional Information

Independence and a cooperative attitude is expected. Attendance to workgroup/ seminars and training sessions is mandatory.