Science and Society
Code
722011142
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas
Department
Ciências da Comunicação
Credits
10
Teacher in charge
Ana Correia Moutinho (ULisboa), José Vítor Malheiros
Weekly hours
3 letivas + 1 tutorial
Teaching language
Portuguese
Objectives
To understand the internal logics of scientific production, its historical evolution and relationship with the social context in which it develops. To understand science as an ideology and organizational practice. To understand the ways in which social forces and streams of thought impact on science and modulate its actions and outcomes. To acquire and exercise ones critical thinking and analytical skills over the practices and social uses of science, as well as science appropriation discourses.
Prerequisites
None.
Subject matter
Science, technology and innovation. Organization of scientific production. Science funding. Science policies.
Science and war. Space exploration. XXth century Physics and the large common scientific infrastructures (CERN, ESO, etc.).
Food and environmental controversies (GMOs, nuclear). Risk society.
Health and Pharmaceutical industry. Genetic technologies. Ethics and research integrity. Bioethics and regulation.
Digiteracy, information Technologies and Internet.
Pseudoscience and science/ideology.
Science and politics: science and dictatorial systems; science and democracy.
Science fiction. Science in television, cinema and literature.
Scientific culture. Scientific literacy. Public Understanding of Science and Public Engagement with Science and Technology. Public opinion. Governance and participatory mechanisms.
Bibliography
Gonçalves, Maria Eduarda, org (2000), Cultura Científica e Participação Pública, Lisboa: Celta Editora.
Gregory, Jane e Miller, Steve (1998) Science in Public, London: Perseus Publishing.
Holliman, Richard et. al, eds. (2008) Investigating Science Communication in the Information Age - Implications for public engagement and popular media, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Holliman, Richard et al., eds. (2009) Practicing Science Communication in the Information Age - Theorizing Professional Practices, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Montgomery, S.L. (2002) The Chicago Guide to Communicating Science, Chicago: Chicago University Press.
Special Eurobarometer 282 (Dec 2007). Scientific Research in the Media.
Tufte, Edward R. (2006) The Cognitive Style of PowerPoint: Pitching Out Corrupts Within, Graphics Press LLC, Cheshire, Connecticut.
Wilson, A. (1998). Handbook of Science Communication. London, Taylor & Francis.
Teaching method
Each class departs from a real episode, a particular story exemplary of the relationship between science and society, to debate a general theme.
General scheme for each class:
1. Presentation of the story/episode; factsheet, timeline (before and after), images, video, trivia, press portfolio (contemporary news coverage).
2. Introduction to the base theme; relate with actual concerns and agenda.
3. Debate.
4. Summary.
Evaluation method
Participation in classroom, practical work (including presentation skills).