Scientific popularisation: theory and case study
[COMU2600]
[30h] 5 credits
Teacher(s): Philippe Verhaegen
Language: French
Level: Second
Aims
know the main theories relating to scientific popularisation and writers on the subject;
be able to evaluate a communication or scientific popularisation device, and design the necessary adaptations;
be able to design and construct a small popularisation device (including, at least, a text and an image) designed to reformulate an area of scientific knowledge.
Main themes
the production of a popularising discourse: the psycho-social and scientific role of the mediator, or third man, and the constraints of a didactic discourse;
the reformulation of a source discourse within a second discourse (e.g. paraphrase, transcoding, translation, narrative and metaphorisation);
recognition by the public of a popularised message (e.g. deciphering and appropriation of scientific information, and the attitudes of a reader of scientific popularisation).
Content and teaching methods
This course is based on the idea that, like science, popularisation may be seen as a kind of discourse (J F Lyotard) that possesses forms of expression and its own social functions. Unlike scientific discourse limited to written expression, popularisation documents use numerous language combinations such as texts, images, sounds and animation. The course reviews these forms of language, and identifies the specific features of a discourse of scientific reformulation. They include:
the vocabulary and organisation of concepts (e.g. map concept and superordered series);
reformulation (e.g. paraphrasing and meta-language), narration and setting the scene for communication;
imagery and visualisation procedures (including metaphorical measures);
humour.
Methodology
Lecture, case study and applied exercise.
Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)
Assessment will consist of a discussion of the theoretical framework presented, and completion of some scientific popularisation work.
SUPERVISION
Assistance from a member of the scientific staff in monitoring and supervising students work.
Classroom with video-recorder, video-data projector, computer and Internet link-up. Students will be able to use a multi-media IT suite.