SCIENCE

COMMUNICATION 650 University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Freshwater Sciences Syllabus Instructor: Margret Petrie petriem@uwm.edu Hybrid Format Class location: GLRF Room 365 600 E Greenfield Ave, Milwaukee, WI First Wednesday of each month 4:30PM 7:10PM Office Hours: Room 118 W 3:30-4:30 and by appointment Course Description: Communicating science comprises diverse approaches. This course will introduce students to various media used in science and bring to practice the role of communication in transference of scientific knowledge. It will also highlight the importance of knowing your audience as a critical factor in selecting the appropriate communication level to fulfill the audiences expectations. Numerous activities including group and individual assignments will be undertaken to increase effectiveness of communicating science to diverse audiences. Course Objectives Students will understand the historical conventions of science communication and their impact on the organization, use and distribution of scientific knowledge. Students will analyze and critically evaluate the role of science and scientists in local, national, and global communities. Students will create, translate and interpret clear messages explaining scientific information to various audiences. Students will evaluate audiences and key stakeholders to maximize the exposure of science messages. Students will develop skills for communicating scientific knowledge to science peers and lay audiences. Students will apply course material to improve thinking, problem solving and decision making through course activities such as a science blog, elevator pitch, and poster presentations.

Textbook Randy Olson, Dont be such a Scientist: Talking substance in an age of style. Island Press. 2009. ISBN: 1597265632 (Available at Amazon.com; ~$15.00) Attendance and Late Work Policy For face to face classes: Attendance during face-to-face class meetings is mandatory. A portion of your grade is based on active and productive discussion and activities during these class sessions. Due to the nature of the activities, if you are not present to participate in these activities you will receive a 0 for that portion of the assignment. Late Work Students should always contact the instructor in advance if they know they are going to be late or miss an assignment. Emergencies arise, and the late policy can be waived at the instructors discretion. An emergency is defined as an event that is serious and unexpected. Schedule: Module 1 - Trends in Science Communication 1. Define science communication as it relates to your discipline. 2. Articulate and evaluate science communication trends in your discipline. 3. Analyze and critically evaluate the role of science in the community. Module 2 - Research Summary 1. Compare and explain the difference between jargon and plain language. 2. Translate scientific principles into plain language. 3. Summarize your own research in 100-200 words. Module 3 - In the Elevator or the Hallway: Informal Science 1. Define your audiences. 2. Using your written research summary, verbally explain the role of research and science in solving policy issues. 3. Demonstrate active communication skills during informal conversations. 4. Defend a position with scientific and ethical principles. Module 4 - Science Blogs 1. Explore science blogs and read others similar to your research topic. 2. Design and create a blog. 3. Create at least 10 substantial posts. Module 5 - Communicating Science to the Media 1. Write a press release using your research topic. 2. Develop media messages. 3. Participate in mock interviews.

Module 6 - Communicating Science to Policymakers 1. Consider the value of effective communication with policymakers. 2. Explain why not every policy maker is going to be concerned with science and why not every scientist is going to be concerned with policy. 3. Critique the premise that the role of science in policy should be that of informing policy, not making policy. Module 7 - Communicating Science to the Public 1. Articulate the difference between public understanding and public engagement. 2. Describe the value of public engagement. 3. Engage in at least one outreach event or program in your field of interest. 4. Describe and evaluate potential controversies from your audience. Module 8 - Presentation Preparation 1. Identify general principles for oral presentations. 2. Identify general principles for poster presentations. 3. Prepare a 5-10 minute oral presentation to give to a general audience. 4. Create a poster for a scientific audience. 5. Answer questions and defend your position during a poster session. Course Requirements and Grading Discussion and participation 80 points (10 each module) Elevator talk 20 points Science blog 40 points Research summary short essay 40 points Science communication trends essay 40 points Press release 20 points Essay policy 40 points Essay public engagement 40 points Oral presentation 50 points Poster Presentation 50 points TOTAL 420 points University Policies: Link to the Secretary of the University Web site (http://www.uwm.edu/Dept/SecU/SyllabusLinks.pdf) that includes the following University policies: 1. Students with disabilities. Notice to these students should appear prominently in the syllabus so that special accommodations are provided in a timely manner. http://www.uwm.edu/Dept/DSAD/SAC/SACltr.pdf

2. Religious observances. Accommodations for absences due to religious observance should be noted. http://www.uwm.edu/Dept/SecU/acad%2Badmin_policies/S1.5.htm 3. Students called to active military duty. Accommodations for absences due to call-up of reserves to active military duty should be noted. http://www.uwm.edu/Dept/SecU/acad%2Badmin_policies/S40.htm 4. Incompletes. A notation of "incomplete" may be given in lieu of a final grade to a student who has carried a subject successfully until the end of a semester but who, because of illness or other unusual and substantiated cause beyond the student's control, has been unable to take or complete the final examination or to complete some limited amount of term work. http://www.uwm.edu/Dept/SecU/acad%2Badmin_policies/S31.pdf 5. Discriminatory conduct (such as sexual harassment). Discriminatory conduct will not be tolerated by the University. It poisons the work and learning environment of the University and threatens the careers, educational experience, and well-being of students, faculty, and staff. http://www.uwm.edu/Dept/SecU/acad%2Badmin_policies/S47.pdf 6. Academic misconduct. Cheating on exams or plagiarism are violations of the academic honor code and carry severe sanctions, including failing a course or even suspension or dismissal from the University. http://www.uwm.edu/Dept/OSL/DOS/conduct.html 7. Complaint procedures. Students may direct complaints to the head of the academic unit or department in which the complaint occurs. If the complaint allegedly violates a specific university policy, it may be directed to the head of the department or academic unit in which the complaint occurred or to the appropriate university office responsible for enforcing the policy. http://www.uwm.edu/Dept/SecU/acad%2Badmin_policies/S49.7.htm 8. Grade appeal procedures. A student may appeal a grade on the grounds that it is based on a capricious or arbitrary decision of the course instructor. Such an appeal shall follow the established procedures adopted by the department, college, or school in which the course resides or in the case of graduate students, the Graduate School. These procedures are available in writing from the respective department chairperson or the Academic Dean of the College/School. http://www.uwm.edu/Dept/SecU/acad%2Badmin_policies/S28.htm 9. Final Exam. The final exam requirement, the final exam date requirement, etc. http://www.uwm.edu/Dept/SecU/acad%2Badmin_policies/S22.htm 10. Grading. Grading will follow University policy. https://www4.uwm.edu/current_students/records_grades/grades.cfm#system