Introduction
Science Communication and Society (SCS) Fundamentals is a 16-week course for science master students. The course prepares students for internships/career in communication about science and health, for example, as a science or health communicator, a science policymaker, a public relations officer, a health officer, an educator or for a career as a scientist with a communicating mind-set.
Students of the Science Communication & Society specialisation are required to also take Scientific Narration and Visualization.
Who can join this course?
The course is open to MSc students from the Faculty of Science and to MSc students in the Biomedical Sciences program of LUMC. Other students who are interested should contact their own study advisor for permission.
Course objectives
After completion of this course, students:
will have a general overview of the field of science communication
will have developed relevant theoretical knowledge about the underlying theories of science communication (communication models, learning theories)
will have developed relevant skills for communicating science, such as popular science writing and developing science communication products.
will be able to plan and conduct science communication research
Course content
The course provides a mix of lectures, in-class activities, individual assignments, group assignments, exams, within 5 different modules:
Science journalism (taught separately in Dutch and English)
Science communication theories and methods
Informal science education
Policy and Funding
Final project
NOTE: the Science Journalism section (English) is open as an elective course 4603SCSSJT (3 EC) to all MSc students from the Faculty of Science and to MSc students in the Biomedical Sciences program of LUMC.
Teaching method and participation
The course uses a mix of lectures, discussions, in-class activities, individual assignments, group assignments, and exams. Each section is taught by a different teacher on a designated day of the week (e.g. all Thursdays are science journalism) for the first 13 weeks. Each module is assessed through practical assignments and/or an exam. In the last three weeks of the course, students work in groups on a final project of their choice.
Course schedule
This course is a 32 hours/week course (one day is available for Scientific Narration and Visualization). The course is worth 19 EC in 16 weeks, September 2 – December 20, 2019. Classes are scheduled on Monday morning, Tuesday afternoon, Thursday morning (Dutch group), Thursday afternoon (English group), Friday morning, Friday afternoon (every other week, visits). The rest of the week is available for self study and group work.
Assessment
In order to pass the course, students need to pass each of the five modules. The final grade is a weighted average of the modules. Students are allowed to retake modules.
Literature
Mandatory literature:
For Dutch students (English students will get translated extracts): Henk Asbreuk en Addie de Moor (2017). Basisboek Journalistiek schrijven. Derde editie! Groningen: Wolters Noordhoff.
Laurie, C., & Jensen, E. (2016). Doing Real Research. London, UK: Sage.
Frans van Dam, Liesbeth de Bakker en Anne M. Dijkstra (2014). Wetenschapscommunicatie, een kennisbasis. Den Haag: Boom Lemma.
For English students: Translated chapters €15,-, available during the first class.Other readings to be announced
Blackboard
There is a Blackboard module for the entire course. Lecture notes, assignments, reading material, and important announcements can be found there.
Application
Application forms can be requested through the SCS department (infoscs@biology.leidenuniv.nl). Please apply as soon as you have decided to enroll in this course, so we have an idea of the number of students. The class number for enrollment in uSis will become available here.
Coordinator
Dr. Anne Land (program coordinator), a.m.land@biology.leidenuniv.nl.
Organization
More information about the SCS program can be found at our website