851-0107-00L  Science and the Public: A Problem of Mediation that the Media Have to Solve?

SemesterSpring Semester 2020
LecturersU. J. Wenzel
Periodicitynon-recurring course
Language of instructionGerman



Courses

NumberTitleHoursLecturers
851-0107-00 SWissenschaft und Öffentlichkeit - ein Vermittlungsproblem, das die Medien zu lösen haben?2 hrs
Wed15:15-17:00CHN D 44 »
U. J. Wenzel

Catalogue data

AbstractWhat can, what should, what do "laymen" want to know and understand from scientific findings? How and what is "conveyed" in reporting on science? Does science journalism have to follow scientific criteria? How do the natural sciences differ from the humanities and social sciences in terms of "comprehensibility" and public visibility?
ObjectiveGaining insights into the relationship between the sciences, the public and the media, into their historical development and current problems - with particular reference to the "Wissenschaftsfeuilleton".
ContentThe feuilleton of the «Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung» of 27 June 2000 has gone down in the annals of recent media history. The last sequences of the fully mapped human genetic code were printed on six large-format pages: the letters A, G, C and T in various combinations and sequences - a «readable » but incomprehensible jumble of letters. What at the time was astounding journalistic coup and met with enthusiasm as well as head shaking can (also) be read as an allegory of the tense relationship between science and the public. What can, what should, what do «laymen» want to know and understand from scientific findings? What role do the media play, does science journalism play in this? How and what is «conveyed» in reporting on scientific findings? And does science journalism have to follow scientific criteria in such reporting? How do the natural sciences, medicine and technology differ from the humanities and social sciences in terms of «comprehensibility» and public awareness? Are we really dealing with two diverging «science cultures» - and two different ways of presenting them in the media?
These questions will be explored on some excursions into recent and also older media, scientific and cultural history.

Performance assessment

Performance assessment information (valid until the course unit is held again)
Performance assessment as a semester course
ECTS credits3 credits
ExaminersU. J. Wenzel
Typegraded semester performance
Language of examinationGerman
RepetitionRepetition only possible after re-enrolling for the course unit.
Additional information on mode of examinationDrei Punkte (samt Note) gibt es für regelmässige Teilnahme plus Lektüre der Texte und Präsentation eines der Texte in einer Seminarsitzung plus eine schriftliche Hausarbeit in der Länge von 8'000 bis 10'000 Zeichen (incl. Leerschläge).

Learning materials

No public learning materials available.
Only public learning materials are listed.

Groups

No information on groups available.

Restrictions

Places15 at the most
PriorityRegistration for the course unit is until 23.02.2020 only possible for the primary target group
Primary target groupHistory and Philosophy of Knowledge MA (862000)
Waiting listuntil 06.03.2020

Offered in

ProgrammeSectionType
Doctoral Department of Humanities, Social and Political SciencesDoctoral and Post-Doctoral CoursesWInformation
GESS Science in PerspectiveHistoryWInformation
GESS Science in PerspectiveD-ARCHWInformation
History and Philosophy of Knowledge MasterSeminarsWInformation
Integrated Building Systems MasterGESS Science in PerspectiveWInformation