2024 Faculty Courses School of Science Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences Graduate major in Earth-Life Science
Communicating Earth-Life Science to the World D
- Academic unit or major
- Graduate major in Earth-Life Science
- Instructor(s)
- Shawn Mcglynn / Thilina Nishadh Heenatigala / Harrison Brodsky Smith
- Class Format
- Exercise (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 7-8 Mon / 7-8 Thu
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- ELS.C642
- Number of credits
- 020
- Course offered
- 2024
- Offered quarter
- 3Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 17, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This course empowers students to be engaged in the process of science communication relevant to academia. The course is project-based, where students will pick one project idea to assess, explore, and implement. The projects are designed to give the experience of producing an outcome that has larger societal benefits within and beyond academia. A key aspect is to provide practical skills and knowledge that students can use throughout their careers. We also aim to show students how science can be a force for positive change in the world, with special attention to issues of poverty, hunger, health, environment, sustainability, social justice, diversity, and equal opportunity. Course content will consist of a mixture of lectures, applied activities, and guest speakers.
Course description and aims
The students will gain the skills needed to communicate their research with society and the scientific community.
Student learning outcomes
実務経験と講義内容との関連 (又は実践的教育内容)
The instructors are experts and experienced in public engagement, science and society, writing press releases and articles, improving inclusivity in academia, and international collaborations.
Keywords
Science Communication, Astrobiology Education, Public Engagement, Product Development, Evaluation of Outreach
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
The class will be project-based with discussions.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Introduction to Science Communication PhD course | Question oriented discussion |
| Class 2 | Project selection and discussion | Projects are selected |
| Class 3 | Reading and discussion | Research and discussion is done in class |
| Class 4 | Reading and discussion | Research and discussion is done in class |
| Class 5 | Data analysis | Data analysis is done in class |
| Class 6 | Data analysis | Data analysis is done in class |
| Class 7 | Data analysis | Data analysis is done in class |
| Class 8 | Design thinking for product development | Students consider and decide how to communicate results |
| Class 9 | Design thinking for product development | Students consider and decide how to communicate results |
| Class 10 | Design thinking for product development | Students consider and decide how to communicate results |
| Class 11 | Implementation of the project | Students make a final product |
| Class 12 | Implementation of the project | Students make a final product |
| Class 13 | Presentation of the project work | Students present |
| Class 14 | Presentation of the project work | Students present |
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 textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
Reference books, course materials, etc. *
Science Communication: An Introduction (2020), Anne Dijkstra https://www.worldscientific.com/worldscibooks/10.1142/11541
Escape from the Ivory Tower: A Guide to Making Your Science Matter (2010), Nancy Baron
https://islandpress.org/books/escape-ivory-tower
Am I Making Myself Clear? A Scientist's Guide to Talking to the Public (2009), Cornelia Dean
https://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674066052
Science Communication: A Practical Guide for Scientists (2012), Laura Bowater, Kay Yeoman
https://www.wiley.com/en-us/Science+Communication%3A+A+Practical+Guide+for+Scientists-p-9781118406663
Reference books, course materials, etc.
see above
Evaluation methods and criteria
Students will be evaluated based on completing the class project.
Related courses
- NA
Prerequisites
The course will be conducted in English. Basic English proficiency is required.