This course examines influential efforts to study human beings and society scientifically, from the seventeenth century to the present. We consider major contributions from prominent thinkers, such as Thomas Hobbes, Adam Smith, Karl Marx, and Sigmund Freud. We also review the contemporary relevance and persistent controversies about their ideas. It will introduce students to various techniques of communicating scientific findings to non-specialist audiences by means of social media posts, videos, podcasts, comics, interviews, news briefs, and public speaking. Students will analyze the public’s perception of science and will discuss ways to address the concerns of science skeptics. Students will have the opportunity to create various forms of science communications material.
This course examines influential efforts to study human beings and society scientifically, from the seventeenth century to the present. We consider major contributions from prominent thinkers, such as Thomas Hobbes, Adam Smith, Karl Marx, and Sigmund Freud. We also review the contemporary relevance and persistent controversies about their ideas. It will introduce students to various techniques of communicating scientific findings to non-specialist audiences by means of social media posts, videos, podcasts, comics, interviews, news briefs, and public speaking. Students will analyze the public’s perception of science and will discuss ways to address the concerns of science skeptics. Students will have the opportunity to create various forms of science communications material.
