CPT-53806 Life-Science Communication and Learning in the Digital Age

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Mandatory knowledge:

CPT-12306 Introduction to Strategic Communication or CPT-23804 Introduction to Communication and Innovation Studies M or introductory courses in ECS.

Contents:

People across the globe, are spending more and more time behind (handheld) screens in digitally mediated networks. The hyper-connectivity that characterizes these networks opens up enormous possibilities for information exchange, knowledge creation, feedback, debate, learning and innovation, social networking, marketing, advertising and so on. This development has implications for almost every societal domain and activity. In this course we focus on the meaning and significance of digital media (e.g. websites, social media, games, blogs, etc.) in the interaction between science and society. This course investigates how the digital age affects: a) the communication between scientists and societal audiences and b) the way people learn about contested and ill-defined issues related to environment, sustainability, health, biodiversity and natural resource management.

Learning outcomes:

- know how the media landscape in the world of science communication and societal learning is changing;
- have knowledge about the current debates on how the digital media revolution may shape and influence individual and collective learning processes in society;
- understand the potential and limitations of conventional and digital media in the interaction between scientists and societal audiences;
- can analyse and assess current examples of digital media that are used at the interface between science and society;
- can translate and apply theories and insights on the possible role of digital media to a specific challenge in the Wageningen domain;
- can make design choices for the development of a tailored digital Application of Game that addresses problems and opportunities in a life-science domain.

Activities:

Using a real case (e.g. an existing social network, App, blog, website) students will critically examine how ICT-mediated interaction creates both challenges and opportunities for scientists in informing and involving citizens in contested life-science topics. They will also analyze the potential of ICT-mediated environments in changing people's routines and in improving communication between scientists and other societal actors.

Examination:

- individual paper (40%);
- group essay on analysis ict case study (50%);
- individual contribution to group work and discussions (10%).
Minimum mark is 5.5 for each element.

Literature:

A reader will be provided during the first session.