Ethics and Science in Dialogue

Doel vak

Students who have taken and successfully completed this course are expected to be able to:

1. Analyse ethical tensions in real-world cases at the science–technology–society interface using ethical theories and concepts.
2. Reflexively apply contemporary science communication and dialogue theories, models, and principles in the design of a dialogue.
3. Facilitate and moderate science-society dialogue effectively, using appropriate interpersonal and facilitation skills.
4. Critically reflect on and evaluate the dialogue design, implementation, and outcomes, including the design process, the dialogue format, and the relationship between moral mapping and the actual dialogues.
5. Formulate recommendations for commissioners based on reflection, evaluation, and lessons learned from testing the dialogue design.
   

Inhoud vak

This course invites you to explore the role of science and technology in democratic society with a focus on both the ethical accountability of researchers and the communicative aspects of a fruitful science–society dialogue. Science, technology, and innovation hold great promise – seen in areas like gene drives, nanomedicine, or synthetic biology – but these developments are potentially controversial, leading to concerns regarding risks, benefits, and wider moral issues.

Advances in science do not always match the needs, desires, and expectations of stakeholders, while society may not always appreciate the nature of scientific findings. To bridge this gap, this course provides a toolbox of ethical instruments to help analyze (potential) moral problems and illustrates principles of justification through cases of technology ethics, medical ethics, and care ethics. You will learn to identify ethical tensions in real-world cases, such as the nitrogen crisis or digital futures, and reflect on issues related to your own specialization.

The curriculum offers advanced lectures on central concepts and theories in applied philosophy and professional ethics, integrated with an exploration of the dynamic relationship between science and society. This theoretical foundation is paired with an examination of contemporary science communication models and strategies for managing communication during crises. You will learn to navigate societal controversies by shifting from purely technical data to the lived concerns of diverse stakeholders and develop the skills to facilitate impartial and constructive deliberation.

Through a series of training workshops and seminars, you will improve your individual facilitation and moderation skills. As a central group project, you will move from moral mapping of a topic to the design and execution of a dialogue event. You will test your design on your peers, integrate their feedback, and ultimately provide professional recommendations to commissioners based on a critical reflection of the dialogue design and the underlying ethical tensions.

Aanvullende informatie onderwijsvormen

This is a full-time course of four weeks (6 ECTs).

The total study time is approximately 168 hours, divided into the following elements:

• Lectures: 10.5 hours
• Workgroups (mandatory): 26.25 hours
• Dialogue facilitation and participation (mandatory): 3.75 hours
• Presentation (mandatory): 3 hours
• Training workshops (mandatory): 9 hours
• Exams: 4.5 hours
• Self study (individually and in groups): ±110 hours
  

Toetsvorm

• Exams: 40%
• Dialogue execution (group assignment): 30%
• Presentation (group assignment): 30%

All assignments, including sub-assignments, must be passed (grade > 6)

Vereiste voorkennis

• Participation in a Master program of the VU Faculty of Science.
• For students who follow the Studypath Science, Society and Communication (SSC), completing and passing the course The Art of Science Communication (AM_1335) OR Science Journalism and Exhibition Design (AM_1334) OR Interdisciplinary Community Service Learning 2 (AM_1253). Additional background reading is required (see Recommended background knowledge, below) if the student does not meet this requirement.
  

Literatuur

The literature list will be announced on Canvas one month before the start of the course.

Aanvullende informatie doelgroep

• Compulsory course for master students ‘Management, Policy Analysis and Entrepreneurship in Health and Life Sciences’.
• Extracurricular course for VU students
• Available as a secondary subject for non-VU students
• Open course
• Part of an Exchange Programme
• This course is also part of the Studypath Science, Society and Communication.
• Students from the faculty of science can follow this course as an elective.
  

Overige informatie

Use of Generative AI (GenAI)

This course follows the BETA Faculty policy on GenAI use. Use GenAI responsibly and in line with the VU academic integrity policy and the VU recommendations on responsible use of GenAI.

Afwijkende intekenprocedure

Workgroups are formed through Canvas at the start of the course, based on the actual number of students that start with the course. It is not possible to enrol for workgroups otherwise - unless announced via Canvas.

Aanbevolen voorkennis

For non-MPA students:

• Davies, S. R., & Horst, M. (2016). Introduction: Science communication as culture. In Science Communication: Culture, Identity and Citizenship (pp. 1-27). London: Palgrave Macmillan UK
• Wilsdon, J., & Willis, R. (2004). See-through Science: Why Public Engagement Needs to Move Upstream. London: Demos. ISBN: 9781841801250