At the end of the course
- you are able to reflect on the relation between science and society (policies, citizens, media, etc.),
- you are able to analyse and reflect upon the different perceptions and positions of actors in complex societal debates
- you demonstrate an ability to use the lenses introduced in the course yourself for analysing societal debates, and for taking and arguing an informed point of view
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In this course, we will study the relationship between science and society. Rather than ‘science’ and ‘society’ being separate entities, science is embedded in society as much as society is embedded in science. Complex issues cannot be understood adequately without paying attention to its social dimensions. The aim of this course is to get students acquainted with various themes in the interplay between science and society, as introduction to the master specialisation ''Science in Society'' (SiS).
As students at the science faculty, you will have witnessed how your field of study triggers big debates happening right now in politics, the media and society at large. Many of you will in fact take part in these debates once you graduate, or maybe you already do. Our goal with this course is to demonstrate how a ‘Science in Society’ perspective offers fruitful theories and lenses to investigate modern-day science. We aim to help you use these lenses to further your own understanding of scientific and societal debates, and to illustrate promising routes for the future.
Based on their expertise grounded in a variety of disciplines, the staff of the Institute of Science in Society will guide the students in discovering how science is ‘debated’ across different domains of study. We pay specific attention to the different interests and values of the different stakeholders involved and the tensions that arise when these differences are conflicting. Moreover, we will explore the complexity and uncertainty that characterise research into crucial themes like climate change, sustainable development and emerging technologies. Some of the questions that we will discuss with you all include: which tensions and controversies do we see pop up regularly in this domain? How is ‘science’ being debated, by whom and on which grounds? What are the values, perspectives and arguments of different involved stakeholders? And what could be promising directions to achieve a more fruitful dialogue in the coming years?
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| The course is accessible for all Bachelor's students and will introduce you to the Master's specialisation Science in Society. |
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