Module: Science, Technology & Society

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Science, Technology & Society
Module Code	HUM1019 (ITS: CM392)
Faculty	Communications	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This modules examines the changing roles of science and technology in society. It assesses the impacts and implications of developments in science and technology for society. It aims to develop students' understanding of the ways in which knowledge is produced and reproduced and to encourage critical analysis of the role of media in representing science as well as informing and engaging society.

Learning Outcomes

1. understand the basic principles of scientific methods of work and public response to new sciences and technologies
2. 1D75F186-3BEB-0001-F581-8181AE00E340

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	22	No Description
Assignment Completion	30	No Description
Independent Study	73	No Description
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20691	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Padraig Murphy	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Essay	60%	Week 1
Assignment	Literature Review with weekly online forum	40%	Week 1

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

What is science? What knowledge systems in society challenge science?

Global science and mediation - grand challenges and networks

Science versus opinion - attitudes and beliefs

Basic concepts of sociology of science

Recent developments in social studies of science

Public engagement with science and technology

Science, arts and humanities - two cultures or more?

Science and technology in media

Responsible Research and Innovation: ethics and philosophy in contemporary science

Case studies of science friction - technology and public conflict

Indicative Reading List

Books:

J. Ravetz: 2006, No-Nonsense Guide to Science, New Internationalist,
M. Bucchi: 2002, Science in society, Routledge,
B. Goldacre: 2009, Bad science, Harper,
C. P. Snow: 1993, The Two Cultures, Cambridge University Press,
W. Bijker: 1997, Of bicycles, bakelites and bulbs, MIT Press, Cambridge, Mass,
B. Bryson: 2004, A short history of nearly everything, Black Swan, London,
Mark Erickson: 2005, Science, Culture and Society: Understanding Science in the 21st Century, Polity,
Jane Gregory and Steve Miller: 1998, Science In Public: Communication, Culture, And Credibility, Perseus Publishing,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None