LBAT - 2413U - Science Communication: Media for creative, fun, and effective STEM communication

2023-2024 - UG - New Course

completed

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(A) Proposal summary
Next
  • STEP 1 - Complete the proposal summary information
  • Home faculty*
    Choose your faculty from the list of available options.
  • This new course is associated with the following:*
  • Will this new course appear anywhere other than the course description section of the calendar?*
    Select 'yes' if the new course will be placed in a program map or in a list of electives on a program page in the calendar. Select 'no' if the new course is to be added to the bank of courses only.

  • If you answered yes to the above, please complete the following additional proposals to show course placement on program pages in the calendar:

    • A new core course for an existing program, specialization or minor, or a new elective course that is part of a defined list: Minor Program Adjustment
    • A new elective course for an existing program, specialization or minor, listed in the calendar as a recommended elective: Elective Course Placement
    • A new course (core or elective) related to a Major Program Modification: Major Program Modification.

    Complete one proposal for each impacted program, specialization or minor. Note: If the new course is for a new program, you do not need to show course placement as it will be captured in the new program proposal.

  • Program(s) impacted*

    Liberal Studies minor in Science, Technology and Society

    Communication and Digital Media Studies

    Please list any other impacted programs including any applicable fields or specializations.
  • Calendar start date*
    When the course should first appear in the Academic Calendar (e.g., Fall 2021).
  • Registration start date*
    The first time the course will be open for registration (e.g., Winter 2021).
  • STEP 2 - Attach supporting documents, if applicable

  • Visit the files section of the toolbox on the right-hand side of the form to attach any supporting documentation.

  • Are you attaching any supporting documents?*
(B) Course information
Next
  • STEP 3 - Complete Section B

  • Important note: Please verify that the course code has not been previously used.

  • Course subject code*
    Any new subject codes must be verified by the Office of the Registrar. If you do not see a verified subject code listed, please contact ciqe@ontariotechu.ca.
    Course number*
    2413U
    2413U
    Course numbers must consist of a four digit numeric code and an alphabetic identifier. Normally, the alphabetic identifier distinguishes the course level, or the source delivery, where U represents undergraduate courses, and G represents graduate courses. New course numbers must be verified by the Office of the Registrar.
  • Course title (long form)*
    Science Communication: Media for creative, fun, and effective STEM communication
    Science Communication: Media for creative, fun, and effective STEM communication
    Titles should reflect the educational content of the course. The long form course title is displayed in the Academic Calendar and should conform to the university's Editorial Style Guide. Contact ciqe@ontariotechu.ca for assistance.
  • Course title (short form)*
    Science Communication
    Science Communication
    The short form course title is used for MyCampus and student transcripts. Titles should reflect the educational content of the course. Short form course titles are limited to 30 characters.
  • Subject area*
    The subject area is used to filter courses in the Academic Calendar. If you do not see an appropriate subject area listed, please contact ciqe@ontariotechu.ca.
  • Course description*

    Science communication is the practice of communicating scientific ideas, methods, research and knowledge to non-expert publics in a way that is accessible, understandable, and useful. This creative course considers how science is communicated to diverse audiences, and how we come to make sense of the scientific world through our exposure to and  interaction with many media forms: the news, TV, advertising, popular culture, and social media. The course considers a wide range of topics and issues in the field of science communication such as media bias, agenda setting, framing, audience analysis, strategic messaging, and the value of humor and entertainment. In this course, students practice communicating scientific ideas through everyday media such as video platforms (e.g., YouTube, Reels, and TikTok), social media sites (e.g., Twitter and Facebook), press releases, abstracts, infographics, and memes. Students will work collaboratively on small creative projects toward a final summative presentation on science communication. Students with STEM backgrounds are welcome, as are any students seeking to enhance their writing, storytelling, and digital media presentations. The course will include a mix of students and perspectives from across faculties and programs to make this experience of science communication collaborative, interdisciplinary, and lively.

    The course description should be a brief summary of the course content and should conform to the university's Editorial Style Guide as it is visible in the Academic Calendar. Contact ciqe@ontariotechu.ca for assistance.
  • Credit hours*
    3.0
    3.0
    A measure used to reflect the relative weight of a given course toward the fulfillment of degree requirements. Unless otherwise indicated, a course normally has a credit hour value of three.
  • Contact hours and instructional method
  • Contact hours

  • Contact hours describe the amount of time students spend engaging directly with the course and are listed in the Academic Calendar.

    Note: If the following non-required fields do not apply, please leave them blank (i.e., do not add 'n/a' as this content will import to the calendar).

  • Lecture hours
    3.0
    3.0
    The number of contact hours offered in lecture format. Note that each contact hour may consist of a variety of instructional methods and schedule types.
    Lab hours
    The number of contact hours offered in lab format. Note that each contact hour may consist of a variety of instructional methods and schedule types.
  • Tutorial hours
    The number of contact hours offered in tutorial format. Note that each contact hour may consist of a variety of instructional methods and schedule types.
    Other hours
    The number of contact hours offered in another format not already covered here (e.g., seven practicum hours). Note that each contact hour may consist of a variety of instructional methods and schedule types.
  • Instructional method

  • Instructional method describes the ways in which the contact hours of a course may be taught; all instructional methods that may apply to the contact hours above should be selected. Note that instructional methods (and scheduling information) are not listed in the Academic Calendar.

  • CLS (in-class delivery)*
    HYB (in-class and online delivery)*
  • IND (individual studies)*
    OFF (off-site)*
  • WB1 (virtual meet time - synchronous)*
    WEB (fully online - asynchronous)*
  • N/A (not applicable)*
  • Cross-listing(s)
    The practice of offering a single course under two different course codes.
  • Prerequisite(s) and Prerequisite(s) for Banner
    A course that must be successfully completed prior to commencing a second course for which it is required. Note that this field will be visible in the calendar and cannot contain strings of text (e.g., upper-year Science courses) or special characters. Please include strings of text in the 'Course Restrictions' field. Use and or or to separate courses and use brackets for groups, e.g., (BUSI 2170U and BUSI 2202U) or (BUSI 2205U or BUSI 2210U).
  • Corequisite(s)
    A course that must be taken concurrently with the course for which it is required. If the course can be taken at a previous time, please see Prerequisite with Concurrency.
  • Prerequisite(s) with concurrency
    A prerequisite with concurrency (i.e., a course that may be taken either in advance of or at the same time as the course for which it is required). Use and or or to separate courses and use brackets for groups.
  • Credit restriction(s)
    This section is for instances where two or more courses are not equivalent, therefore a student is not eligible to receive credit for both towards their program. Students are restricted from registering in these credit restricted courses.
  • Credit restriction(s) - Equivalent course(s)
    Two courses are similar enough in content that they are considered equivalent so students can register in either course but they will only receive credit for one course in their program.
  • Recommended

    COMM 1100U, COMM 2620U

    A recommended but not required prerequisite course. Use and or or to separate courses and use brackets for groups. Recommended prerequisites will not be added to Banner.
  • Course restrictions
    Any restriction that is required for a course (e.g., Must be registered in Year 4).
  • Course type
  • Course type*
  • Is the course undergraduate or professional?*
    E.g., some Education courses are classified as professional.
  • Grade mode
  • Grade mode*
    Identifies the method of grading applied to the course
  • Teaching and assessment methods
  • Teaching and assessment methods*

    This course incorporates published academic literature in the field of science communication and representations of science  conveyed by news media, TV and radio broadcasts, advertising and public relations, popular culture, and social media. Students will complete a variety of hands-on projects such as video (e.g., YouTube), podcasts, advertisements, social media posts (including photos, Reels, videos, and text), press releases, and news articles. Students will engage in peer assessment, receive feedback from the instructor, and provide their own rationale and critique of their work.  The course will include formative assignments and a summative project.

    Include an exhaustive list of every possible way of administering and/or assessing the course in bulleted format.
  • Learning outcomes

  • For assistance with developing your course learning outcomes, please refer to the Teaching and Learning website or contact them at teachingandlearning@ontariotechu.ca

  • Course learning outcomes*

    Upon completion of this course, students will:

    1) Be able to demonstrate their knowledge about research on science communication and digital media in society.

    2) Know about and utilize significant methods and theories in the field of science communication and digital media studies (e.g., media agenda setting framing, bias, audience studies, content analysis and interpretation).

    3) Be able to enact some science communication skills: spoken, written, professional, digital creative and critical (e.g. by summarizing articles, reading and writing reports, participating in discussions, creating digital media and infographics, choosing appropriate media platforms, tailoring scientific images and messages for specific audiences, gaining and keeping public attention).

    4) Enact their autonomy with regard to academic, civic, and professional development as related to science communication.

    5) Reflect upon the limits of their knowledge about science communication and its role and impact in society.

     

  • Current term*
    Select the current term from the list of available options.
  • Experiential learning
  • Does this course contain any experiential learning components?
    Only 'yes' values entered in this field will display in the Academic Calendar.

  • If the course DOES NOT contain any experiential learning components, then no further action is required in this section.  If the course DOES contain experiential learning components, please select 'Yes' above, then enter a 'Yes' or 'No' value for each of the experiential components below as appropriate.

  • Case Study
    Simulated workplace project
  • Consulting project/workplace project
    Applied research
  • Field experiences
    Other types of experiences (please describe below)
  • Other
(C) Impact and consultation
Next
  • STEP 4 - Complete Section C
  • Does this new course impact the Graduate Calendar?*
  • We have consulted with all impacted areas*
    By selecting 'yes', you agree that you have consulted with all affected areas prior to beginning this proposal. Select 'N/A' only if the addition of this course does not involve students, staff and faculty from other programs or courses.
  • Process of consultation, if applicable:*

    CDMS program, LBAT director, dean and associate dean, Digital Life Institute director.

    Presentation and discussion at Undergraduate Curriculum Committee.

    Describe the consultation that took place with those impacted.
  • Have you considered the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion or decolonization included when creating this new course?
  • Please explain
    Based in the inter-discipline of communication and media studies, CDMS courses are attuned to EDID, and include articles/chapters that sync with EDID imperatives. Also, current teaching, research and publication on science communication in society has started to integrate EDID topics and issues, and this course will reflect these developments (e.g., considerations of EDID as related to women, racial and religious minorities in STEM; science communications that are inclusive of diverse social groups). Also, the course emphasizes accessible science communication, and students learn how to design and present scientific information in ways that are accessible (i.e., captioning, including alternate text) and resonate to audiences from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, cultures and identities.
  • Indigenous Content and Consultation
  • Does this course contain any Indigenous content?*

  • For more information on how Indigenous content is defined at Ontario Tech University and how to consult with the Indigenous Education Advisory Circle, please refer to the Protocol for Consultation with the Indigenous Education Advisory Circle.

  • Has the IEAC been contacted?
  • If Yes, when?
  • What was the advice you received from the IEAC? And, how has it been included in your proposal?
  • Did the IEAC ask you to return the proposal to them for review?
    If Yes, have they completed their review?
(D) Financial implications
Next
  • STEP 5 - Complete Section D
  • Financial implications*

    This is an open elective course for Liberal Studies’ Science, Technology and Society (STS) minor and CDMS. It is open to all of SSH and OTU faculties/programs. If FT faculty do not teach, budget for sessional instructor needed (budget FSSH open/general elective resources and/or from SSCI / LBAT / CDMS)

    Provide an analysis of the financial implications associated with the new course.
(E) Routing
Next
  • STEP 6 - Enter routing information

  • Important note: it is imperative that you choose the correct routing path as it cannot be changed once a proposal has been launched. If you have made a routing error after launching the proposal, the proposal will be cancelled and a new proposal will be required. If you require assistance with routing, please contact ciqe@ontariotechu.ca.

  • Should this proposal be routed to the Program Approval step prior to Curriculum Committee?*
    If your curriculum committee is organized by program, or if program-level approval prior to curriculum committee is not required, select 'no'.
  • Faculty or program-level group*
    Choose your faculty or program-level group from the list of options. If your faculty has program-level committees, choose the corresponding program group from the list. Otherwise, choose the home faculty. You may choose more than one option, but please note that your proposal will go to the committees of all options selected. The proposal will not move on to the next step until all faculties have approved at their respective committees. Note: If you are making a change for a Bachelor of Engineering program in FESNS, you must select both the Faculty of Energy Systems and Nuclear Science, and the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science from the list of options.
  • Is this change for a Bachelor of Engineering program or program which requires Engineering Curriculum Committee approval?*
  • Are there departments associated with your faculty?*
(F) End of proposal
Next
  • STEP 7 - Save and ensure all required fields are complete
  • STEP 8 - Validate and launch proposal
  • STEP 9 - Approve proposal

  • As the originator, you must approve the proposal to send it on to the next step. To approve, navigate to the decisions section of the toolbox on the right-hand side of the form.

(G) CIQE use only
Next
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