860-0017-00L Argumentation and Science Communication
| Semester | Frühjahrssemester 2018 |
| Dozierende | A. Wenger, C. J. Baumberger, M. Dunn Cavelty, C. Elhardt, U. Jasper |
| Periodizität | jährlich wiederkehrende Veranstaltung |
| Lehrsprache | Englisch |
| Kommentar | Number of participants limited to 10. STP Students have priority. |
Lehrveranstaltungen
| Nummer | Titel | Umfang | Dozierende | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 860-0017-00 G | Argumentation and Science Communication
 | 3 Std. |
| A. Wenger, C. J. Baumberger, M. Dunn Cavelty, C. Elhardt, U. Jasper |
Katalogdaten
| Kurzbeschreibung | Analyzing and communicating the aims and ethical implications of scientific research is an essential element at the intersection of science, technology and policy making. This course is split into two modules which focus (1) on arguing about ethical aspects and scientific uncertainties of policies, and (2) on communicating scientific results to policy-makers and the wider public. |
| Lernziel | Students learn to consider uncertainties in inferences from computer simulation results to real-world policy problems and acquire an understanding of ethical positions and arguments concerning values, justice and risks related to policies. They learn how to analyze the particular prerequisites for the successful dissemination of scientific results to policy-makers and the wider public. |
| Inhalt | Analyzing and communicating the aims and ethical implications of scientific research is an essential element at the intersection of science, technology and policy making. In the first module of this course, we will introduce and discuss ethical positions and arguments concerning values, justice and risks related to policies. Subsequently, we will learn how to clarify concepts as well as how to identify, reconstruct and evaluate arguments and complex argumentations. In the second module, we will analyze the particular prerequisites for the successful dissemination of scientific results to policy-makers and the wider public. To get a better understanding of the expectations and needs of different target groups we will invite guest speakers and professionals from both the media and the policy world to share their experiences and discuss common problems. The final part of this course consists of practical applications and exercises. Proceeding in a 'draft/revise/submit'-manner, students will have to present a scientific project (possibly linked to a case study) in two different formats (e.g. newspaper contribution and policy brief). Faculty will supervise the writing process and provide reviews and comments on drafts. Schedule: Part I: W1: Introduction: Why is argumentation needed in policy analysis? W2: Concepts and arguments I: Clarification of ambiguous and vague concepts, identification and reconstruction of arguments, types of theoretical and practical arguments W3: Concepts and arguments II: Criteria for good arguments, typical fallacies, use of arguments in discussions W4: Justice: What are the ethical arguments for and against different conceptions of intra- and intergenerational justice, such as egalitarianism, grandfathering, polluter or beneficiary pays principle, and capability approaches? Part II: W5: The science of science communication: Basic insights from communication theory W6: Different Audiences, Different Formats: What are the particular prerequisites for the successful dissemination of scientific results to policy-makers? What are the writing and presentation skills needed? W7: What are the particular prerequisites for communicating with the wider public? The dos and don'ts of media interaction. What are the benefits and challenges of social media? W8: Interviews for Radio and TV (with examples / exercises) W9: Examples of Science Communication in the Media and at Universities W10: Study week: Students work on their two 'praxis projects' and submit two drafts. W11: Supervision and Revision W12: Supervision and Revision W13: Wrap-up: Effectively communicating science-related topics and their political and ethical implications to a non-expert audience. |
| Skript | Papers are made available for the participants of this course through Moodle. The book used for the 2nd part of the course "Escape from the Ivory Tower" can be bought from the instructors |
| Literatur | Papers are made available for the participants of this course through Moodle. The book used for the 2nd part of the course "Escape from the Ivory Tower" can be bought from the instructors |
| Voraussetzungen / Besonderes | The total number of students is 10. MSc students, PhD students and postdocs with a science and technology background have priority; weekly meetings of 3 hours during FS (Spring Semester) 2017, 6 ETCS (39 contact hours + 141 hours for preparations and exercises); grading based on the exercises on a 1-6 point scale, the parts contribute in the following way: argumentation 50%, science communication 50%. |
Leistungskontrolle
| Information zur Leistungskontrolle (gültig bis die Lerneinheit neu gelesen wird) | |
Leistungskontrolle als Semesterkurs | |
| ECTS Kreditpunkte | 6 KP |
| Prüfende | A. Wenger, C. J. Baumberger, M. Dunn Cavelty, C. Elhardt, U. Jasper, J. Moernaut |
| Form | benotete Semesterleistung |
| Prüfungssprache | Englisch |
| Repetition | Repetition nur nach erneuter Belegung der Lerneinheit möglich. |
Lernmaterialien
| Keine öffentlichen Lernmaterialien verfügbar. | |
| Es werden nur die öffentlichen Lernmaterialien aufgeführt. |
Gruppen
| Keine Informationen zu Gruppen vorhanden. |
Einschränkungen
| Allgemein |  : Für Fachstudierende und Hörer/-innen ist eine Spezialbewilligung der Dozierenden notwendig |
| Plätze | Maximal 10 |
| Warteliste | Bis 19.02.2018 |
