PřF:C4868 Science and society - Course Information

C4868 Discover the science - Science and society

Extent and Intensity

2/0. 2 credit(s) (plus extra credits for completion). Recommended Type of Completion: zk (examination). Other types of completion: k (colloquium).
In-person direct teaching

Teacher(s)

doc. Mgr. Jan Havliš, Dr. (lecturer)

Guaranteed by

doc. Mgr. Jan Havliš, Dr.
National Centre for Biomolecular Research – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: doc. Mgr. Jan Havliš, Dr.
Supplier department: National Centre for Biomolecular Research – Faculty of Science

Prerequisites

passing C4866 subject, but you can ask for an exception in the case of basic knowledge of the methodology of science.

Course Enrolment Limitations

The course is offered to students of any study field.

Abstract

main objective of the course is to acquaint students with science in its wider sense, mainly to understand the significance of science in society.

Learning outcomes

at the end of the course students should be able:
to understand the relation of scientists to laymen community
to know the way scientific community works (publication, education)
to perceive and evaluate ethical aspects of scientific conduct
to be familiar with financing and application of science.

Key topics

• B. science as a part of social cognisance
• : role of science in society, technology, education, social dialogue
• : popularisation of science
• : ethics and character of scientific work
• :: collaboration vs competition
• C. science as a system
• : scientific information, publication and communication
• :: literary research, process and ways of publishing
• : scientometrie
• : importance of scientific lingua franca – english
• : scientific community
• :: universities, colleges, research institutes, industrial research
• : science marketing and funding

Study resources and literature

recommended literature
• BROWN, James Robert. Who rules in science? : an opinionated guide to the wars. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 2001, xi, 236. ISBN 0674006526. info
• J. M. W. Slack, Egg & Ego, Springer 1999
• Peter Woit, Not even wrong, Basic Books 2007
• P. J. Richerson, R. Boyd, Not by genes alone, University of Chicago Press 2004
• BERGSTROM, Carl T. and Jevin D. WEST. Calling bullshit : the art of skepticism in a data-driven world. First edition. New York: Random House, 2020, xvi, 318. ISBN 9780525509189. info
• SMOLIN, Lee. The trouble with physics : the rise of string theory, the fall of a science, and what comes next. Boston, Mass.: Houghton Mifflin, 2006, xxiii, 392. ISBN 0618551050. info
• Steven Weinberg, To explain the world, Penguin 2016

Approaches, practices, and methods used in teaching

the lecture is based on ppt presentation, its explication and discussion to this explication. presentation it-self will be available as a study material (black-and-white printable pdf with high resolution and restricted access rights). it is recommended to attend the lecture, because of the explication, which significantly extends the presentation. subject will be eventually lectured if the number of enrolled students exceeds number 5, otherwise students will be given the chance to pass the subject without lecturing combining study materials and on-demand tutorial (at max 2x2h per semester; contact the lecturer to set up the schedule).

Method of verifying learning outcomes and course completion requirements

oral examination; consists of two questions referring to the relation of science and society, one conceptual, the other more factual. within both, understanding and ability to relevantly dispute about will be requested.

Language of instruction

English

Further comments (probably available only in Czech)

Study Materials
The course can also be completed outside the examination period.
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught every week.

Teacher's information

the lecture is going on each wednesday at 10:00 in C02-211.

• Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  
• Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/sci/spring2026/C4868