COM-34806 Life Sciences for Communication Scientists

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Studiepunten 6.00

Language of instruction:

Dutch and/or English

Assumed knowledge on:

COM-10306 or COM-22804

Contents:

In their professional life, Wageningen communication scientists often work as communication experts in the life science domain. In this quality, they have to communicate life science research or help life scientists to communicate effectively towards policy makers, professionals, stakeholders and citizens. In this quality, to communicate research insights in a timely, effective and ethical manner, they need to understand the epistemology, research methods, insights gained and related uncertainties of life science research , anticipate on policy-making and media dynamics as well as lay people's initial knowledge and information processing and sharing behaviour.
The course COM-34806' Life sciences for communication scientists' acquaints students with contemporary life science research methods and research results and learns them to critically reflect on appropriate life science communication: What is useful, effective and ethically sound life science communication? How to approach policy makers; and how to deal with the mass media to inform the wider public? In the course, communication (and other social) science students learn (a) to recognize levels of uncertainty and ignorance incorporated in life science research results; (b) how to translate life science results in useful and effective policy advice; (c) how to provide integer information about life science breakthroughs and debates to the wider public, and (d) how to elaborate persuasive storylines and communication events promoting healthier or environmental sustainable practices?

Learning outcomes:

At the end of the course the student is expected to be able to;
- reproduce basic knowledge of the research domain and applied research methods of various life sciences;
- describe and recognize systemic biases and uncertainty of life science research data and models;
- describe and recognize ethical issues with respect to the organization of life science research and science communication;
- describe and recognize patterns of science-policy collaboration and the possible role of science in the various stages of societal problem structuring and solving process;
- describe and recognize basic public media dynamics, people's information seeking and - processing behavior;
- explain what is needed to effectively inform the wider public of the ongoing scientific debate and new research breakthroughs;
- explain what entails effective but ethically sound science communication, promoting healthier and/or environmental sustainable life styles.

Activities:

- lectures by various life scientists about the research focus, -methodologies, new insights gained. Before and after these lectures we discuss the relevance, communication and use of this life science knowledge by society;
- problem oriented lectures, assignments and group discussions about (a) science-policy collaboration; (b) consideration of stakeholder-, citizen- and policy concerns in life science policy advice (c) ethical research; and (d) ethically sound, effective life science communication to inform the wider public and/or promote healthier and environmental sustainable life styles.

Examination:

For optimal learning, students are strongly advised to attend each of the course meetings. Students will be evaluated on the basis of a written exam (50%) and three individual assignments (50%).

Literature:

A course outline and reader can be obtained via the secretary of Communication Science.