Registry

Module Specifications

Archived Version 2013 - 2014

Module Title	Science & Society
Module Code	CM582
School	School of Communications
Online Module Resources
Module Co-ordinator	Dr Padraig Murphy	Office Number	C159
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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. Identify the main social influences on the conduct and organisation of science
3. Describe trends in recent science policy-making
4. Assess practices and policies in ethical governance of science
5. Discuss critically ideas about science's relations with other intellectual practices and with ideological positions

*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

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

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
Unavailable

Indicative Reading List

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 will the human race survive the twenty-first century?, Heinemann,

Other Resources

None

Programme or List of Programmes

MASS	MA in Sexuality Studies
MSC	M.Sc. in Science Communication

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