DIGITAL MEDIA AND SCIENCE COMMUNICATION

Prerequisites & course information

Requisites: Satisfied Communications A or graduate/professional standing Course Designation: Core GenEd - Social & Behavioral Science Breadth - Social Science Level - Intermediate L&S Credit - L&S Liberal Arts and Science Grad 50% - Counts toward 50% graduate coursework requirement Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Fall 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. Demonstrate understanding of the most influential theories and perspectives regarding the social and political implications and effects of digital communication technologies. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. Evaluate contemporary claims about the social effects of communication technologies based on the extent to which they are supported by sound social scientific research. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. Apply scientific knowledge about the societal implications of digital communication technologies to popular discussions about scientific topics and their social effects. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 4. Demonstrate effective communication skills through the articulation of critical thinking about digital media and political communication through writing and informal oral presentation. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 5. Analyze and synthesize relevant scholarly literature related to digital media and its relation to contemporary science communication surrounding emerging technologies and/or controversial issues involving science. Audience: Graduate 6. Formulate a research proposal articulating an original empirical research project exploring the role of digital media in contemporary science communication. Audience: Graduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Demonstrate understanding of the most influential theories and perspectives regarding the social and political implications and effects of digital communication technologies. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. Evaluate contemporary claims about the social effects of communication technologies based on the extent to which they are supported by sound social scientific research. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. Apply scientific knowledge about the societal implications of digital communication technologies to popular discussions about scientific topics and their social effects. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 4. Demonstrate effective communication skills through the articulation of critical thinking about digital media and political communication through writing and informal oral presentation. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 5. Analyze and synthesize relevant scholarly literature related to digital media and its relation to contemporary science communication surrounding emerging technologies and/or controversial issues involving science. Audience: Graduate 6. Formulate a research proposal articulating an original empirical research project exploring the role of digital media in contemporary science communication. Audience: Graduate