At the end of the module, the student has acquired specialist knowledge for the understanding and critical analysis of the forms of science communication, with particular attention to the dynamics and processes of construction and circulation of science-themed content.
Specific objectives: To understand the fundamental theories of science communication; to critically analyse different communication models and their applicability; to examine the socio-cultural dynamics influencing the perception of science; to design and evaluate science communication strategies based on theoretical principles.
Basic sociological competences
Teaching includes a combination of lectures and practical-application activities to foster learning (in particular: learning by doing, debate). Students will be particularly encouraged to produce forms of communication of science.
Exams will be in oral form; the assessment focuses on the students’ knowledge, their critical approach and argumentative skills. The evaluation criteria include: completeness and relevance in the answers, the clarity of the argument, language skills, the ability to summarize and re-elaborate the questions raised, the grammatical and syntactic correctness, the richness of the exposition.
For students who have the Comunicazione della scienza e della tecnologia integrated teaching in their syllabus, the exams must be taken on the same day of the exam of the module “Culture sociotecnologiche”. The final mark is given by the average of the marks of the two tests and will be published in the students' digital portfolio.
The course introduces to the communication of science and knowledge and is organized in three sections. Section one presents a historical overview of the development of the communication of science as a scientific discipline, discusses the main models for the communication of science, and explores the communication strategies of contemporary scientific institutions (paying attention to the European Union guidelines and the University “third mission”). In this first section two main issues will be discussed: trust and credibility of science; the definition of science, taking into account for example the intersections of social, mathematical, and natural sciences. Section two focuses on political controversies in the field of science, and the political dimension embedded in the forms of construction and circulation of knowledge and science. Section three explores the mechanisms through which the popular culture contributes to build a shared scientific imaginary (e.g. via movies, music, graphic novels and comics, videogames).
The teacher's communications to the students of the course will take place via email via the e-learning area, to which all students must therefore register. All students are required to periodically consult the e-learning area of the course and download the indicated materials. The program is valid for both attending and non-attending students. Erasmus students and students with PDP or PEI are invited to contact the teacher at the beginning of the courses.
