Overview

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Explores how science and technology intersect with public policy. From debates about climate change to the proper boundaries of security and privacy in the Information Age, the politicization of science is an inescapable reality that has far-reaching consequences for scientific advances innovation, and human quality of life. Breadth-Hum/Social Sci/Science.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course is designed to introduce students to the intersection of public policy and science, to better understand the ways that policy both affects and is affected by science. 

The learning objectives are to:
1. Develop skills in time management, academic reading and writing, and critical thinking through the examination of seminal issues in science policy.  The first 3 weeks of the course will provide a foundation of skills through hands on exercises that will help students to succeed in their academic and professional careers.

2. Understand the possibilities and limitations for the scientific and social scientific methods to inform science policy decision-making.

3. Examine the interaction among scientists, policymakers, and the public, including gaps in communication and understanding and how they might be filled.

4. Test out the theories of science policymaking on a wide variety of controversial and current cases, from intellectual property rights to climate change.

There will be 2 two-hour lectures and 2 one-hour tutorials per week.  Tutorials start week two.  Intersession.

Final Exam: TBA

Grading

Materials

REQUIRED READING: