SP1541X – Communication Practices in Popular Science

SP1541X - Communication Practices in Popular Science

Description

SP1541X aims to enable students to communicate science to the non-specialist audience in a comprehensible and engaging manner through science popularised discourses. Students are introduced to four science communication models which shed light on the evolving assumptions made about the roles of and interactions between scientists, policymakers, and the public. Drawing upon these models, students critically analyse and evaluate how communication strategies are employed in written and spoken sources and apply them through public engagement opportunities during a field trip in a Southeast Asian country, where they interact with the local community and learn about their cultures and local practices.

Objectives

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

critically read, synthesise, and analyse features of academic and popular science genres.
critically analyse and evaluate how science communication strategies help explain scientific concepts and ideas to a non-specialist audience
work effectively in a team to identify and explain scientific concepts using science communication strategies.
communicate scientific concepts and ideas in a comprehensible, coherent and engaging manner to a non-specialist audience in both written and oral forms.
deepen understanding of Southeast Asian countries through interaction with the local community partners, appreciation of local practices, cultures, economies, sustainability efforts, or science-related explorations/innovations.

Assessment

SP1541X is a 100% Continuous Assessment course.

Prerequisites

Students who are required to read ES1000 Foundation Academic English and/or ES1103 English for Academic Purposes must pass those courses before they are allowed to read this course.

Preclusions

Non-CHS students
Students who have read and passed FAS1101, ES2531, ES2631, ES2660, UTW1001% and RVX100%
Students in SPS (Special Program in Science) who have read and passed SP2271 are precluded from SP1541 and SP1541X
Students who have read and passed SP1541
U-town students cannot select SP1541X
RVRC students cannot select SP1541X

Units

Four

Workload

0-3-0-3-4

FAQ

1. Why should I sign up for this course?

2. What are the similarities and differences between SP1541 and SP1541X?

Similarities

SP1541 and SP1541X share the same learning outcomes where you will learn to:

- analyse features of academic and popular science genres
- evaluate how science communication strategies help explain scientific concepts and ideas to a non-specialist audience
- work effectively in a team to identify and explain scientific concepts using science communication strategies
- communicate scientific concepts and ideas in a comprehensible, coherent and engaging manner to a non-specialist audience

Differences

There are however differences in the activities in weeks 6, 12 and 13, designed to fulfil the additional learning outcome of SP1541X, which is to deepen understanding of Southeast Asian countries through interaction with the local community partners, appreciation of local practices, cultures, economies, sustainability efforts, or science-related explorations/innovations.

These differences are reflected in the table below:

	SP1541	SP1541X
Week 6	Science Centre visit + asynchronous online learning (e-learning module)	Analysis of Audience
Week 12	Peer review of digital media posts	Deep dive into travel destination’s scientific landscape
Week 13	Reflections and final sharing	Final preparations: Pre-trip briefing and setting expectations
Final Assessment	(Individual) Engagement with the public using the exhibits at the Science Centre	(Group) Engagement with the public through exhibit presentations at a science event hosted by the partner Southeast Asian university.

3. Where will we be going in Semester 1 AY2024/2025 and when is the trip scheduled?

4. What will I gain from the 1-week experiential learning trip?

The trip will provide an excellent opportunity to enhance your ability to communicate science to a non-specialist audience, while deepening your understanding of environmental and sustainability issues. You will spend one day communicating the scientific knowledge you selected to a non-specialist audience as part of the final assessment. The rest of the week will be dedicated to experiential learning, with opportunities to explore the natural environment and learn about local scientific and conservation efforts. Activities will include conducting experiments on beneficial microbes, feeding crustaceans, identifying herbs and mushrooms, learning about sea turtles and conservation efforts.

5. Where can I find out more information about SP1541X?

6. What happens if I enrol for SP1541X but I am not able to do the overseas experiential learning component?

7. How will the trip be funded?

SP1541X is eligible for the Global Classroom (GCM) Grant, which requires an overseas component of 5 days – 2 weeks. This grant subsidises 70% of the trip cost and is capped at $500. Students are eligible for only one GCM award throughout their course of UG studies. You would be expected to make upfront payment for trip expenses as funding is disbursed only upon completion of the trip. For more details please write to SCI UG Queries (category: SAP).