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| SDOC0001-1 | Communicating Science
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| Duration : | 10h Th, 10h Pr |
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| Number of credits : |
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| Lecturer : | Yaël Nazé |
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Language(s) of instruction :
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| French language |
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Organisation and examination :
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| Teaching in the second semester |
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Course contents :
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| Today, the scientist can not stay out-of-reach. First, (s)he must try to motivate young people to undertake science studies, in order to avoid the predicted shortage of scientists in the years to come. Moreover, every project, notably at the European level, must include an outreach part, to inform all citizens of the use of public money. Finally, a good communication of science helps in fighting obscurantism and promoting research policies. It should also be noted that many current debate sactually concern scientific matters (GMOs, cloning, climate change) : only well informed citizens can really discuss these questions, and shape the future policies.
Communicating science is therefore very important, but it should not be improvised. The goal of this course is to prepare scientists to communicate. It will begin by a presentation of the stakes of such an activity, and of the means to do so. The University services that can help scientists in the diffusion of science will be presented. The course will continue with practical examples : written and oral communication, towards the media, the general public, and the schools. As nothing replaces experience, quite some time will be left in the course for applying the learned skills. |
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Learning outcomes of the course :
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| This course provides the bases of the communication of Science and Techniques. It contains a theoretical part of the aims and stakes of that domain, as well as numerous practical examples. The learned skills will permit the students to undertake a better outreach and will in fact also help the students for any communication exercise, including towards the peers. |
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Prerequisites and co-requisites/ Recommended optional programme components :
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| Scientific cursus. Students in human sciences are indeed welcome to participate. |
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Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
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| On a subject of their choice, linked to the domain of their PhD, the students will prepare a talk (10m) and a short popular article (2p - voir exemples sur http://reflexions.ulg.ac.be/cms/c_349101/coin-des-doctorants-communiquer-la-science) that should be accessible to the general public. They will also try their media skills by writing a press release (1p) and answering an interview. Finally, they will participate to the "Printemps des Sciences" (or to any school animation) as a member of their department team, in order to be confronted to schools. |
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Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
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| 5 theoretical lessons of 2h, 5 exercises of 2h. |
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Recommended or required readings :
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| A copy of the slide show, together with a few notes, will be provided to the students. |
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Assessment methods and criteria :
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| the students will be evaluated throughout the year, on the basis of the exercises. |
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Work placement(s) :
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Organizational remarks :
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| Lessons are taught in January-February. To maximize the individual pedagogical return, only 20 students can be accepted for one session. |
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Contacts :
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| Yaël Nazé, 04 366 97 20, office #2/12 of Bat B5C (Astrophysics & Geophysics), naze@astro.ulg.ac.be |
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| Items online : |
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| Notes et references |
| Dias des cours et références utiles en pdf. |
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