BIOL 5710 - Biology, Society, and Public Engagement

Meets with BIOL 3710. What role does the discipline of biology play in our culture, and how is biology related to other social institutions, practices, and attitudes in society? Through lectures, seminars, discussions, writing, and active participation, this course explores the process and practice of biology, how biology is communicated to scientists and non-scientists, how scientific advancements affect society today, and how society affects the study of biology. Attention will focus on public audiences who have been underserved by traditional pathways of informal and formal education; broader participation in the biology/scientific enterprise will be considered. Oral, written, and social media communication skills will be developed.