Module: Science, Health & Society

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Science, Health & Society
Module Code	CUS1003 (ITS: CM582)
Faculty	Communications	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10

Description

This module explores various perspectives on the changing contexts and representations of science within society, as investigated in the disciplines of history, sociology, political science and communications. It examines the increasingly important position of science in advanced economies, particularly Ireland, and how science is harnessed to political and economic goals. It considers how discussions and disagreements about science are played out in the public arena.

Learning Outcomes

1. Recognise principal approaches to the study of science in social contexts
2. 1D647F13-3A71-0001-D8DB-1D0819201884

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	22	No Description
Seminars	11	No Description
Online activity	5	No Description
Independent Study	212	No Description
Total Workload: 250

Section Breakdown
CRN	10308	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Declan Fahy	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Project	Proposal on science policy issue	20%	Week 6
Essay	Literature review	30%	Week 10
Essay	Analysis of science & society issues	50%	Sem 1 End

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

Basic terms and issues in social studies of science

Scientists' social role as experts and citizens

Science policy and the knowledge economy: the Irish case in context

Organisation and governance of science

Lives of scientists - biographies as social history

Sciences, arts and humanities: the two cultures debate revisited

Science culture and religion in Ireland

Science controversies and public participation

Public attitudes to science

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Bucchi, M: 2004, Science in Society - introduction to social studies of science, Routledge,
Gregory, J. and Miller, S.: 2000, Science in Public - communication, culture and credibility, Perseus Books,
Gould, S. J.: 2003, The Hedgehog, the Fox and the Magister's Pox - mending and minding the misconceived gap between science and the humanities, Jonathan Cape,
H. Nowotny, P. Scott and M. Gibbons: 2001, ReThinking Science - knowledge and the public in age of uncertainty, Polity Press,
N. White: 1999, Science, Colonialism and Ireland, Cork University Press,
J. Ravetz: 2006, The No-Nonsense Guide to Science, New Internationalist,
M. Erickson: 2005, Science, culture and society - undestanding science in the 21st century, Polity Press,
J. Wilsdon, B. Wynne & J. Stilgoe: 2005, The Public Value of Science - or how to ensure that science really matters, Demos,
J. Ziman: 2000, Real Science - what it is, and what it really means, Cambridge University Press,
M. Rees: 2003, Our Final Century Â– will the human race survive the twenty-first century?, Heinemann,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None