Module: Science & Health in the Media

<< Back to 2024/25 Module List

2024/25 Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

All Module information is indicative, and this portal is an interim interface pending the full upgrade of Coursebuilder and subsequent integration to the new DCU Student Information System (DCU Key).

As such, this is a point in time view of data which will be refreshed periodically. Some fields/data may not yet be available pending the completion of the full Coursebuilder upgrade and integration project. We will post status updates as they become available. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Science & Health in the Media
Module Code	CM534 (ITS) / MCO1014 (Banner)
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	Communications
Module Co-ordinator	Declan Fahy
Module Teachers	Padraig Murphy, Saumava Mitra
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

None
Array

Description

This module examines representations of science in the media and evolving relations between science and media from theoretical, organisational, professional and cultural perspectives

Learning Outcomes

1. identify the main factors shaping media representations of science
2. critically assess scientists' claims about the inadequacy of media coverage of science
3. describe the development of theoretical perspectives on science in the media
4. analyse critically different treatments of scientific information in the media
5. describe the main routines of media professional specialising in science coverage

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	22	No Description
Seminars	11	No Description
Assignment Completion	75	No Description
Independent Study	150	No Description
Total Workload: 258

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

What science makes news?

Changing conceptions of science and media

Sources for reporting science

Science on radio and television

Types of science stories

Analysing science in the media

Reporting controversial science

Reporting science policy

In-depth science journalism

Science news online

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Project	Selection of scientific information items for media treatment	20%	Week 5
Essay	Analysis of common claims about media science	30%	Week 11
Essay	Review of current media coverage	50%	Sem 2 End

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
Resit category for this module is temporarily unavailable

Indicative Reading List

J. Gregory and S. Miller: 1998, Science in public - communication, culture and credibility, selected chapters, Plenum,
R. Holliman et al (eds): 2009, Investigating science communication in the digital age, A. Hansen: Science, communication and media, Oxford University Press,
R. Holliman et al (eds): 2009, Practising science communication in the digital age, selected chapters, Oxford University Press,
D. Nelkin: 1995, Selling science - how the press covers science and technology, Freeman, New York,
M. Bauer and M. Bucchi: 2006, Journalism, science and society - science communication between news and public relations, selected chapters, Routledge,
M. Bucchi and B. Trench: 2008, Handbook of Public Communication of Science and Technology, selected chapters, Routledge,
S. Friedman et al (eds): 1999, Communicating uncertainty - media coverage of new and controversial science, selected chapters, Lawrence Erlbaum,

Other Resources

None