Module manager: Jon Topham
Email: J.R.Topham@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
None
N/A
This module is approved as a discovery module
Communication is fundamental to science, technology, and medicine, whether within the specialized context of research and teaching or in the wider public domain. Yet the processes and purposes of science communication have changed profoundly over the last two centuries, from the rise of the scientific journal and popular science publications to the emergence of mass media and the internet. Along the way, questions have repeatedly arisen concerning the involvement of wider publics in scientific decision making and the grounding of trust in science. This module surveys the development of science communication, examining the changing theoretical perspectives that have underpinned these developments. In addition, it re-examines the processes of contemporary science communication in the light of a deeper understanding of this history and theory. Please note this is an optional module and runs subject to enrolments. If a low number of students choose this module, then the module may not run and you may be asked to choose another module.
The module aims to develop your knowledge and understanding of modern science communication through an analysis of its history and the theoretical ideas and approaches that have underpinned that history. This will develop your ability to critically evaluate examples of science communication, in the past and present, and in a range of media, such as specialist publications, popular science, and science in the news. You will apply this critical understanding to some of the current live issues concerning science communication, public trust, and public engagement.
The module supports these objectives through lectures and seminars. Lectures explore the history of various forms of science communication (e.g. specialist publication, popular science, and science in the news) and introduce you to some of the leading theoretical perspectives concerning science communication. Seminars provide the opportunity to understand the diverse approaches on your own terms, developing a critical approach to the material and applying it in critical evaluation of particular examples of such communication.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Critically assess different theoretical ideas about specialist and public science communication.
2. Evaluate some of the ways in which science and technology have been represented in the media.
3. Analyse the role and relevance of different media technologies in modifying science communication and public perceptions of science.
4. Critically evaluate the qualities and likely consequences of particular examples of science communication.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
5. Communicate ideas and understanding clearly and concisely, using appropriate academic language (Academic and Work Ready skill)
6. Search for, synthesise and critically evaluate source material to support knowledge and analysis of topics (Academic, Work Ready and Digital skill)
7. Use reasoning and judgement to solve problems (Academic and Work Ready Skill)
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Seminar | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Private study hours | 180 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
In addition to the formative feedback available to students in student hours and seminar-based activities, each student is invited to complete ONE piece of formative work which will receive written feedback.
Students are given a choice of: an exposition of an argument, a literature review, or a justification for a choice of example science communication for subsequent analysis.
To ensure that students get the formative feedback that they need, they are asked to read and reflect on (i) the feedback they received in previous summative assessments, (ii) the PRHS marking criteria and (iii) the specific guidance provided on the summative assessment in this module. This requires students to critically engage with previous feedback, current expectations, and play an active role in honing their knowledge and skill development.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Analysis of a piece of science communication | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 30/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team