mar477 - Science and Society (Complete module description)

Aims

1. To critically examine what counts as data and what constitutes expertise.

2. To make connections between science literacy and democracy.

3. To enable students to work investigate their own role in more equitable science, policy, and society and how to participate, intervene, and advocate.

Learning outcomes

1. To show a critical awareness of data literacy and its role in society.

2. To demonstrate ability to assess Environmental Impact Assessments, climate reports, and other technical and archival document analysis

3. To confidently engage with data collection, information visualization, and science communication

The course will cover the following topics:

1.  Critically engaging theoretical and practical aspects, as well as case studies, relating to relationships between science, measurement practices, and knowledge production; sensors and other technological apparatuses; and environmental study and citizen engagement.

2.  Weekly readings include journal articles, book chapters, technical reports as well as video shorts, and podcasts, across a range of topics such as, environmental justice, ecofascism, data collection, data piracy, vulnerable communities, research ethics.

3.  Student pariticipation in weekly discussion and sharing relevant news and project updates.

4.  Student led projects. Critically engage with existing or initiate new citizen science projects) defined very broadly).

The first semester will consist of lecture and discussion of readings with some short written responses and sharing exercises. The second semester will focus on supporting individual or group student projects engaging with several aspects of citizen science activities of their choice. The final outcome will be a written report detailing the theoretical and practical aspects of their experience.

Gabrys, J. (2019). How to Do Things with Sensors. Forerunners: Ideas First. University of Minnesota Press.

Corbett, J. B. (2006). Communicating Nature: How We Create and Understand Environmental Messages. Island Press.

Hineline, M. L. (2018). Ground Truth: A Guide to Tracking Climate Change at Home. The University of Chicago Press.

6 weeks after end of exercise

1 benotete Prüfungsleistung

Report (Hausarbeit) after the exercise in summer term

Aktive Teilnahme
The general rules for active participation apply. Additionally, students are requested to draft a project outline after the lecture in winter term and give a presentation on their project