Critical Issues in Science, Technology and Society

Code:

MECC027

Acronym:

TCCTS

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Communication Sciences

Instance: 2024/2025 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Communication and Information Sciences
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Communication Sciences

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MECC	4	Study plan	1	-	6	41	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

Define the interrelationship among science, including medicine, technology, and society;

Describe theories and practices unique to the field of Science and Technology Studies;

Analyze the elements comprising scientific and technological controversies and the communication around it;

Specify the roles knowledge, expertise, risk, public understanding and discourse play in perceptions of science, including medicine, and technology;

Determine the possibilities for policy-making that shapes, and are shaped by science, technology and society

Learning outcomes and competences

Working method

Presencial

Program

1. Science wars

1.1. Introduction: Science and the public

1.2. Science vs. Pseudoscience: The Problem of Induction

1.3. Scientific revolutions and paradigm shifts

1.4. The two scientific cultures

1.5. Academic “hoaxes” and their consequences

 

1. Critical themes

2.1 Technology

2.1.1 Artificial intelligence

2.1.2 Surveillance, security and privacy

2.1.3 Discussion of applied communication strategies

 

2.2. Health

2.2.1. Pandemics

2.2.2. Discussion of communication strategies applied to practical cases

2.2.3. Analysis of news coverage in the health field

 

2.3. Environment

2.3.1. Climate change

2.3.2. Natural resources

2.3.3. Biodiversity: media, civic and political discourses

2.3.4. The notion of sustainability

2.3.4 Discussion of applied communication strategies

 

1. Science in the digital public sphere

3.1 Rethinking "common sense": social representations of science

3.2 Network science: new media strategies for public engagement

Mandatory literature

Bauer, S. W. ; The story of science: from the writings of Aristotle to the big bang theory, W.W. Norton & Company, 2015
Pinker, S. ; Enlightenment now: the case for reason, science, humanism, and progress, Allen Lane, 2018

Teaching methods and learning activities

Different pedagogical methods, articulated with interrogative, demonstrative and active methods. Lessons with theoretical and empirical discussion of the topics and students’ participation through research engagement. Distributed evaluation without final exam.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Trabalho escrito	50,00
Trabalho laboratorial	50,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	42,00
Frequência das aulas	60,00
Trabalho escrito	60,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Distributed evaluation without final exam.

Calculation formula of final grade

Systematic review project 90% and participation in class activities 10%..

Examinations or Special Assignments

not applicable.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Systematic review project 100%

Classification improvement

Systematic review project 100%