Course Description
Communicating science with non-scientist audiences is not only an essential component of the scientific process, but it’s also critical for informing data-driven decision making across key stakeholder groups. You will learn the basic principles of strategic science communication and practice applying them through foundational assignments and an applied, stakeholder-focused science communication project.
Athena Title
Comm Science with Stakeholders
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in FANR 8320
Non-Traditional Format
This course will be taught 95% or more online.
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student learning Outcomes
- Students will locate, evaluate, and interpret rigorous, peer-reviewed scientific information.
- Students will identify and describe key stakeholder groups (i.e., target audiences) relevant to natural resource issues.
- Students will develop appropriate goals and objectives to achieve desired perception and/or behavior change outcomes.
- Students will demonstrate strategies to navigate controversial topics across values, beliefs, and identities.
- Students will apply basic principles of strategic science communication to real-world topics.
- Students will design tailored communication (e.g., written, spoken, visual, etc.) for specific stakeholder groups.
Topical Outline
- Accessing, interpreting, and evaluating peer-reviewed scientific articles
- Principles of science communication (e.g., history, the deficit model, two-way communication, participatory science, stakeholder engagement)
- Science in society (trust, values, and navigating controversy)
- Strategic science communication process and strategies
- Writing, speaking, and designing for science communication (i.e., storytelling across mediums)
Institutional Competencies Learning Outcomes
Critical Thinking
The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.
