20801256Science Communication
Course Information
Description
Examine the history and process of journalism behind “hot button” issues and controversies in science. Apply quantitative literacy skills to scientific claims and evaluate what makes a scientific finding newsworthy. Write about research with clarity in a compelling format while staying true to the underlying facts, context, and concept. Communicate to a broad, diverse audience and examine the influence of scientific evidence in policymaking.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Examine the history of science communications
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, oral presentation, and/or test as an individual or member of a team
    Criteria
    Identify key moments in science communications through history including major scientific topic areas and how they have been covered through time
    Examine the role social media and online communications platforms play in science communications

  2. Apply critical thinking skills
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, quiz, and/or test
    Criteria
    Examine cases for which two or more texts provide conflicting information
    Identify where texts disagree on matters of fact or interpretation
    Evaluate the quality of information sources
    Distinguish between facts and opinions
    Summarize original research and interviews with sources
    Describe scientific practices such as laboratory, computer, and field work

  3. Examine social expectations for science communications platforms; audience, purpose and tone
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, quiz, and/or test
    Criteria
    Identify the different purposes of platform styles
    Differentiate between academic and general/mass communications forms of communication
    Identify the audience for various communications
    Evaluate intended tone for various communications
    Evaluate effectiveness of various communications
    Apply strategies of audience, purpose, and tone in written product

  4. Evaluate a science communication product intended to assist individuals in comprehending mass media messages
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, oral presentation, quiz, and/or test
    Criteria
    Analyze the structure of several types of data including numbers, texts and documents
    Use knowledge of visual features of text such as headings, bolded print, graphics and text structures as aids to comprehension
    Describe the overall structure (e.g., chronology, comparison, cause/effect, and problem/solution) of events, ideas, or information in a text or part of a text
    Illustrate sensitivity to ethical concerns associated with the data
    Identify scientific jargon
    Use alternative words and phrases to explain the same concepts (jargon) in more accessible ways for a general audience
    Apply advanced active reading strategies for complex texts

  5. Describe how science communications influences attitudes and beliefs
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, oral presentation, and/or test as an individual or member of a team
    Criteria
    Define the concept/term of science communications literacy
    Defend why science communications is important
    Critiques a science communication product or campaign to assess its effectiveness
    Explain the conflicting role that media plays in perpetuating racial, ethnic, and gender stereotypes and in advancing diversity in science communication
    Identify conflicts of interest, HIPPA, FERPA and other potential research sensitivities to avoid violating research participant rights

  6. Summarize media law and media ethics
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, oral presentation, and/or test as an individual or member of a team
    Criteria
    Describe the role of the First Amendment in the evolution of American mass media law and democracy
    Identify attempts at media censorship
    Articulate the conflict between individual privacy rights and the freedom of the press, as well as the media's legal responsibilities
    Relate the open records law and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) media monitoring and reporting on the actions of government
    Explain the relationship between mass media ethics and media law and the influence on media regulations

  7. Write evidence-based documents utilizing the writing process
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, quiz, and/or test
    Criteria
    Cite documents and other credible source materials
    Use the Associated Press style and MLA, APA as appropriate to audience
    Apply basic news writing and feature writing structures including lead and nut graph
    Explore strategies for completing writing tasks in a timely manner
    Writing using paraphrase, summary, and quotes
    Apply fact-checking and proofreading techniques for accuracy
    Write adequate, relevant support in paragraphs
    Use transitional words or phrases and patterns of organization
    Apply strategies for revision/editing

  8. Acquire basic strategies for giving, receiving, and incorporating feedback
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, tutor or peer meeting
    Criteria
    Identify feedback in given tutor or peer situations
    Incorporate strategies for giving positive verbal or written feedback
    Apply feedback into your own communications product

  9. Acquire basic communication technology skills
    Assessment Strategies
    Written product, skill demonstration
    Criteria
    Apply standard text formatting to written product
    Demonstrates proficiency in various online communications tools: blogs, podcasts, video, social media
    Engage with internet browsers to locate reputable research sources
    Use library databases to locate reputable published research sources such as peer reviewed journals