Science and society share many intersections. Contacts between science and society are not always smooth but often conflict-ridden. This seminar addresses a variety of subjects from the realm of science and society. Among those subjects are:

·         Freedom of research – formal and in reality

·         Science communication through the media

·         Risk communication

·         Public opinion concerning science and scientists

·         Policy for science: STEM vs. humanities?

·         Politics and Science: “Expertocracy”?

·         Science and propaganda

·         Science and the economy

·         Religion and Science

The topics are explored through presentations by the participants and applied to more or less recent societal debates. The discussions will be furthered by readings of selected (and short) texts by all seminar participants.

The goal of the basic seminar is, on the one hand, for you to critically examine the role that the sciences and especially your field of study play in our society. On the other hand, the seminar raises some fundamental questions that should accompany students taking the Supplementary Studies on Science, Technology and Society through the in-depth courses.

2 LP

registration required via: https://plus.campus.kit.edu/signmeup/procedures/5216