2021 Faculty Courses School of Environment and Society Department of Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering Graduate major in Global Engineering for Development, Environment and Society
Science Media and Communication for Global Development of Environment and Society
- Academic unit or major
- Graduate major in Global Engineering for Development, Environment and Society
- Instructor(s)
- Kayoko Nohara / Eden Mariquit Andrews / Giorgio Salani
- Class Format
- Lecture/Exercise
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 3-4 Thu
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- GEG.S413
- Number of credits
- 0.50.50
- Course offered
- 2021
- Offered quarter
- 3Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 10, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
Communication plays a major role in dealing with collaborating across professional and national borders to resolve issues and achieve innovations for the international communities and the global environment. Reality of communication is however rapidly changing reflecting the social and technological situations (online, global, multimodal on demand) and it is important to rethink why communication science is required and how we can effectively do it the students will learn basic theories and methods of science sharing among stakeholders
Course description and aims
Students will learn the following skills from taking this course.
1) Be able to understand the importance of science communication in the environment and society
2) Be able to know and engage in different platforms to communicate science to the public
3) Be able to improve communication skills that are necessary in science communication
Keywords
Science communication, public understanding of science, public engagement, science and media
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Acquisition of theory and knowledge about science communication through lectures, and communication practice. Online collaboration within the students is highly encouraged, some online sessions will be conduct in Miro.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Introduction to science communication: significance, theories, and history of communicating science | Course overview, and discussion of the nature and scope of science communication, along with examples. |
| Class 2 | Institutional aspects of science communication ; how science communication affect public opinion, economics, and politics | Explain the importance of science-based communication between experts and non-experts to influence public opinion, economics, and politics. |
| Class 3 | Modern science communication in the academe, society, industry and politics. | Know how scientific information, knowledge, communication, are being done in different platforms. |
| Class 4 | Using various communication methods to create and deliver your message (Part 1) -Making academic presentations and improving presentation skills. | Learn effective techniques how to get their message across through academic oral presentations. |
| Class 5 | Using various communication methods to create and deliver your message (Part 2) -Science journalism, engaging the public with science in the internet. | Learn to engage the public with science in different media platforms |
| Class 6 | Special lecture from an invited speaker engaged in science communication | Special lecture with discussion with an invited speaker that is engaged in science communication. |
| Class 7 | Course synthesis, recap of the learnings from the course, preparation for presentation of the final project | Summarise the learnings from the course and report on the progress of the final project. |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to assigned readings, and course materials.
Textbook(s)
None required.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Talking Science Across Borders- Science Communication at Tokyo Tech (M. Norton, K. Nohara)
Handouts and reading assignments will be distributed during the duration of the course.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Class participation, reports, group work activities, and final presentation. The course also places emphasis on the active participation of the students during class meetings.
Related courses
- GEG.S411 ： Global Science Communication and Engagement
Prerequisites
-