COM-23803 Communication and Technology

Course

Credits 3.00

Teaching methodContact hours
Tutorial51
Course coordinator(s)dr. M de Bruin
Lecturer(s)dr. M de Bruin
dr. BC Mulder
Examiner(s)dr. M de Bruin

Language of instruction:

English

Contents:

This course, which is specially designed for students Biotechnology, provides an introduction to the role of communication in students' future working domain. During lectures students are presented with theories about communication and applications of these theories to biotechnology. Amongst others, attention will be given to basic communication principles, risk perception and communication, and the systematic development of communication messages. In subgroups, students apply this knowledge to innovative biotechnology applications (e.g. DNA vaccines, GM foods), which often meet some degree of public or political resistance. Under supervision of the lecturers, the subgroups will examine how different parties (e.g. consumers, politicians, farmers) may respond to new biotechnologies and why. Moreover, students will reflect on the usefulness of communicating with these parties early during the development of innovative biotechnologies. Finally, all subgroups will design a strategic communication plan about a new biotechnology and present this during the final lecture.

Learning outcomes:

- know the importance of communication in and for their future professional practice;
- know the most relevant theories with the respect to the role of communication in technological developments;
- are, on a basic level, able to apply this knowledge to systematically analyze complex communication situations;
- are, one a basic level, able to contribute to legitimate and effective forms of communication about biotechnology.

Activities:

Interactive lectures and subgroup meetings with the lecturers. In subgroups, students apply the insights from the lectures in an assignment.

Examination:

The final grade of the course is based on individual exam (70%) en an assignment (30%) in subgroups.

Literature:

To be announced.

ProgrammePhaseSpecializationPeriod
Compulsory for: BBTBiotechnologyBSc3AF