Politicians, chief scientists and others are increasingly calling for scientists to communicate their work with the public, but how, where and when did this start? Why have scientific societies like the Royal Society of London transitioned from doing scientific research in the seventeenth century to promoting the interests of science in the twenty-first? Are there parallels between eighteenth century amateur science and citizen science today, or between nineteenth century science popularisation and today's science journalism? How can we map institutional relationships between science and the bodies that promote it, popularise it, and link it to political processes? Is science communication an added extra in the world of science, or integral to its success and longevity?
This course applies historical and institutional approaches to science communication to explore the big picture view of how this discipline and its professional practices have developed across the world and through time. Students will map the relationships between science and the science communication-type activities and organisations that have always surrounded and supported western science as an institutionalised pursuit - scientific societies, advocacy for science funding, science professionalisation measures, science popularisation efforts of different kinds, science museums and centres, and more. Course assessment emphasises reflection on the significance of this big picture for professional practice in science communication, as well as developing science communication research skills.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Map the roots of science communication-type activities and organisations through time, space and institutional networks.
- Identify and describe material links between science communication-type activities and organisations and institutionalised science, including the changing significance of scientific societies and science advocacy movements for the development and funding of science.
- Describe the major phases in twentieth and twenty-first century science communication and science advocacy more broadly.
- Apply a big picture view of science communication institutions, ideologies and practices to reflective professional practice.
Indicative Assessment
- Contributions to forum discussions x10 weeks (20%) (LO 1,2,3,4)
- Reflective essay on the significance of the course material for professional science communication practice, 1500 words (20%) (LO 1,2,3,4)
- Mindmap/infographic about the relationships between science and institutions of science advocacy and support (10%) (LO 1,2)
- Research essay, 3000 words (50%) (LO 1,2,3)
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
This course will require approximately 10 hours work per week, fully online, including forum discussions, set readings and assessment tasks.Requisite and Incompatibility
Assumed Knowledge
SCOM1001 and SCOM1002 are recommended.Majors
Minors
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2018 | $3660 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2018 | $5160 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Summer Session
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1805 | 05 Feb 2018 | 09 Feb 2018 | 16 Feb 2018 | 02 Apr 2018 | Online | N/A |
| 1899 | 05 Feb 2018 | 09 Feb 2018 | 16 Feb 2018 | 02 Apr 2018 | In Person | N/A |
