[This is a certified Communication-intensive (CI) Course which meets all of the requirements endorsed by HKU’s Senate, including (i) the teaching assessment of written and visual communication ‘literacies’; and (ii) at least 40% of the course grade is assigned to communication-rich assessment tasks.]

Course Description

The course aims to enhance students’ understanding about science and technology, and to enable them to critically evaluate socio-scientific issues (SSI) as reported in the media. Such critical evaluation should enable them to make rational and responsible decisions on these issues, and to be aware of the implication of such decisions.

The course will consist of three components: (1) Features about science and technology aims to promote an understanding of the nature of science and technology. Cases on frontier scientific research such as the development of anti-cancer drugs and prenatal diagnosis, and their implications and controversies, will be discussed. (2) The making of science-related news in the media aims to develop an understanding of the agendas behind the inclusion of certain science-related social issues in media reports. Operation of the media, criteria of “news worthiness” of science news, and editorial stances of different media, etc. will be considered. (3) Critical evaluation of SSI and making of sensible decisions aims to develop transferable skills such as reasoning, analytical and evaluative skills through critical analysis of the impact of scientific and technological development on issues like equity, public health, and socio-cultural practices.

Course Learning Outcomes

On completing the course, students will be able to:

• 1. Identify and describe relevant features of science and technology as reflected in history of science and contemporary science practice.
  2. Explain the intricate relationship between facts and opinions, and evaluate arguments as presented in different sources of the media on the same issue.
  3. Apply the understanding of the nature of science and technology and news media in critical analysis of SSI.
  4. Communicate ideas related to science, technology and society in an organized manner with appropriate terminology.
  5. Critically evaluate a SSI and make sensible judgments and decisions on the SSI based on evidence and ethical values, etc.

Offer Semester and Day of Teaching

First semester (Wed)