Course Description

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

Scientific Thinking in Life and Society is an interdisciplinary Common Core course that explores how science works, why it works, and why scientific thinking has been one of the most powerful and transformative tools ever developed by humanity.

Science is not merely a collection of facts. It is a way of thinking: hypothesis-driven, evidence-based, skeptical, self-correcting, and deeply aware of uncertainty and human limitations. Scientific knowledge evolves through rigorous testing, peer review, openness to being wrong, and engagement with multiple perspectives. These features have enabled extraordinary achievements—from vaccines and modern medicine to space exploration, from dramatic increases in life expectancy to a deeper understanding of the universe and ourselves.

In today’s world, scientific thinking is needed more than ever. We live in a digital and social-media environment saturated with misinformation, disinformation, and conspiracy theories. At the same time, our judgments are shaped by cognitive biases, emotional reasoning, and the tendency to see patterns where none exist—phenomena famously described in Thinking, Fast and Slow. Institutions, ideologies, and algorithms can influence what we believe, often without our awareness. Learning how to evaluate claims, when to trust evidence, and why uncertainty matters is therefore an essential life skill.

Through landmark historical examples and contemporary case studies—such as the transition from miasma theory to germ theory, vaccines and public health controversies, the science of climate change, and debates over breast cancer screening—students will examine how scientific ideas are developed, challenged, and refined over time. Rather than asking students to simply “trust science,” the course emphasizes understanding why scientific conclusions deserve trust: the methods, norms, and values that underpin them.

The course places strong emphasis on discussion, reflection, and communication. Students will practice analyzing evidence, identifying cognitive biases, evaluating competing claims, and communicating reasoned arguments to diverse audiences. By the end of the course, students will be better equipped to navigate uncertainty, resist misinformation, make informed and deliberate decisions, and apply scientific thinking thoughtfully in their personal, professional, and civic lives.

Course Learning Outcomes

On completing the course, students will be able to:

1. Define scientific thinking and articulate its significance in addressing complex societal challenges, emphasizing its role in evidence-based decision-making and systematic problem-solving.
2. Identify and mitigate cognitive biases by applying scientific methods to evaluate evidence and arguments, and by critically assessing the reliability, validity, and potential biases of various information sources.
3. Apply scientific and critical thinking skills to real-world issues, engaging in thoughtful, respectful discourse that fosters deeper understanding, challenges assumptions, and supports the development of well-reasoned, informed perspectives.
4. Communicate ideas, arguments, and solutions effectively to diverse audiences using clear and concise language, and by employing appropriate visual aids or presentation techniques to enhance comprehension and engagement.

Offer Semester and Day of Teaching

First semester (Wed)