Science and media - JJB180
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Poslední úprava: Mgr. Pavel Kasík (01.10.2018)
Students will become familiar with the usual mistakes that journalists make when using scientific resources. We will learn to spot these errors and prevent them. Using specific examples from medicine, physics, statistics and computer science - we will demonstrate how to work with sources: specialized magazines, internet search engines, secondary sources and even directly with the scientists themselves. The course also includes a brief introduction to the history of science, epistemology, technological determinism (Postman, Innis), cognitive errors and distortions (Kahneman, Tversky, Ariely) and their role in journalism and media consumption. Lectures are spiced with discussion of current topics and the lecturer is happy to be interrupted by students with relevant questions or insights. Every lesson starts with short discussion of recently published articles. |
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Poslední úprava: Mgr. Pavel Kasík (01.10.2018)
The aim of this class is to explore the interesting and often intricate relationship between science and the media; with an emphasis on practical skills that are useful for journalists. We will analyze the the role that science plays in modern society and how it is treated by journalists and readers. After finishing this class, the students should be able to find appropriate scientific study, recognize topics that are interesting to their audience, present science in a understandable form and in proper context, explain the basic methodology of scientific work and communicate better with scientists and other experts. A secondary aim is to explain some cognitive biases and illusions that prevent people (scientists, journalists and readers alike) from seeing the reality, and perhaps even show how they can be avoided. |
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Poslední úprava: Mgr. Pavel Kasík (01.10.2018)
To pass this class, you need to attend the lectures (three absences permitted).
Students have a choice of the type of their final product to finish this class:
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Poslední úprava: Mgr. Pavel Kasík (01.10.2018)
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Poslední úprava: Mgr. Pavel Kasík (01.10.2018)
1. Introduction
Getting to know the issues, examples of science in the media
2. Problems in the representation of science in the media
Overview of common problems and their possible causes
3. Historical context
Development of science, development of mass media, their common roots and key differences (epistemology, technological determinism)
4. Scientific studies
What is a scientific research, basic scientific methods, what are some common errors in their presentation in the media
5. Resources
How to find relevant information on the Internet and elsewhere, how to distinguish credible scientific information from untrusted, how to cite
6. Medicine in the media
Examples of bad medicine and bad journalism, especially on topics related to health, practical examples on how to write about medicine.
7. Technology and science in the media, science popularization
Thinking about the possibilities of science popularization. Scientific literacy in society and its implications. How to target readers.
8. Communicating with scientists
Real examples of communication between scientists and journalists. How interview scientists. How to respect scientific work while presenting it to the reader. How to call out scientists when they are mistaken.
9. Pseudoscience in the media, cognitive errors
Cognitive fallacies shaping our perception of reality. Cautionary examples, practical experiments.
10. - 12. Other topics
How to spot bad statistics. How science became scientific. Problems in current science and medicine. How to argue when you know you are right. Practical examples of writing popular scientific articles, experiments, discussions...
The schedule is preliminary and will be subject to changes. |