Public Science courses, Summer 2018

Three classes in science communication for interested undergraduate & graduate students.

COM 289 Science Communication & Public Engagement

Maymester Three Week Session (05/16/18 – 06/05/18)
Profs. Binder (arbinder@ncsu.edu) & Goodwin (jegoodwi@ncsu.edu)
Approved for HUM, SS & IP GEP
No prerequisites–all majors welcome.

This new course is an introduction to the principles and practices of communicating scientific and technological issues to public audiences, through interpersonal discussion, mass media, social media, and other means. It is open to students in all majors who want to deepen and broaden their understanding of how citizens make sense of science and technology in their everyday lives.  The course features a mixture of theory-based readings and discussion with practical skill-building for communication in real-world contexts. Equal emphasis is given to humanities and social science perspectives. The application of communication concepts to controversial science contexts is emphasized, including case studies of issues such as GMOs, climate change, vaccines, and gene editing. Theoretical perspectives covered include argumentation and debate; audience analysis (through quantitative survey data and metrics); philosophy and ethics of communicating science; and using narratives, framing, and metaphors to communicate science.

COM 530 – Interpersonal Communication in Science and Technology Organizations

Prof. Liz Craig (eacraig@ncsu.edu)
Summer 2: 06/25/18 – 07/27/18
Distance Education-Internet

Blends theory and research to understand and analyze interpersonal communication practices and issues within organizations, including managing impressions and conversations, engaging in active listening, managing conflict, influencing others, and communicating in teams. Focus on developing and maintaining effective interpersonal relations at work and improving student’s communication competence.

COM 527 – Seminar in Organizational Conflict Management

Prof. Jessica Jameson (jameson@ncsu.edu)
Summer 1: 05/16/18 – 06/20/18
Distance Education-Internet

Examination of conflict antecedents, interventions, outcomes through multiple texts, journal articles. Emphasis on workplace conflict, organizational outcomes, dispute system design. Evaluation through participation in class discussion, independent papers, research project, presentation.