Information Package / Course Catalogue
Science Communication
Course Code: İLT444
Course Type: Required
Couse Group: First Cycle (Bachelor's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 3
Prt.: 0
Credit: 3
Lab: 0
ECTS: 5
Objectives of the Course

The aim of this course is to enable students to learn the basic concepts and approaches related to communicating scientific knowledge to different target audiences accurately, clearly, ethically, and effectively. Within the scope of the course, students are expected to critically evaluate the relationship between science, society, media, and public opinion. The course also aims to help students develop science communication practices in written, oral, visual, and digital media environments.

Course Content

This course examines the basic concepts and historical development of science communication, as well as the ways in which scientific knowledge is shared with society. Within the scope of the course, the relationship between science, media, public opinion, and society is discussed through topics such as scientific literacy, target audience analysis, science journalism, popular science storytelling, misinformation, trust, and ethics. In addition, examples and practical activities are carried out to help students develop science communication practices in written, oral, visual, and digital media environments.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Learning Outcomes
1.The student can explain the basic concepts, aims, and social functions of science communication.
2.The student can evaluate the relationship between science, society, media, and public opinion from the perspective of communication studies.
3.The student can identify appropriate communication language, tools, and methods for communicating scientific knowledge to different target audiences.
4.The student can analyze scientific literacy, misinformation, disinformation, and trust in science within the context of science communication.
5.The student can develop science communication content suitable for written, oral, visual, and digital media environments.
6.The student can use basic practical principles in areas such as science journalism, popular science storytelling, and risk and crisis communication.
7.The student can observe the principles of ethics, accuracy, transparency, expertise, and social responsibility in science communication processes.
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Çolak, R. (2025). Bilim İletişimi: Kavramlar, Modeller ve Uygulamalar. Nobel Akademik Yayıncılık.
2.Dursun, Ç. ve Dursun, O. (Ed.). (2021). Bilim İletişimi. Siyasal Kitabevi.
3.Bucchi, M. ve Trench, B. (Ed.). (2021). Routledge Handbook of Public Communication of Science and Technology (3. baskı). Routledge.
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
Introduction to the course; the concept, scope, and basic functions of science communication
Week 2 - Theoretical
Historical development of science communication; public dissemination and social circulation of scientific knowledge
Week 3 - Theoretical
The relationship between science, society, and media; the role of scientific knowledge in everyday life
Week 4 - Theoretical
Scientific literacy; public access to scientific knowledge and scientific thinking skills
Week 5 - Theoretical
Models of science communication; the deficit model, dialogue model, and participatory approaches
Week 6 - Theoretical
Target audience analysis; developing scientific messages suitable for different social groups
Week 7 - Theoretical
Science journalism; news value, use of sources, expert opinion, and the production of science news
Week 8 - Theoretical
Popular science storytelling; communicating complex scientific topics in a simple, clear, and understandable way
Week 9 - Theoretical
Visualization in science communication; use of infographics, data visualization, photography, and video
Week 10 - Theoretical
Science communication in digital environments; social media, podcasts, blogs, video platforms, and online communities
Week 11 - Theoretical
Misinformation, disinformation, and trust in science; anti-science attitudes, conspiracy narratives, and verification processes
Week 12 - Theoretical
Risk and crisis communication; public communication on health, environment, disaster, and technology-related issues
Week 13 - Theoretical
Ethics in science communication; accuracy, transparency, expertise, responsibility, and public benefit
Week 14 - Theoretical
Science communication practices; developing written, oral, visual, or digital science communication content and general evaluation
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Seminar2%10
Quiz1%10
Midterm Examination1%20
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory142370
Quiz1000
Midterm Examination125126
Final Examination130131
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)127
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
PÇ-7
PÇ-8
PÇ-9
PÇ-10
PÇ-11
PÇ-12
PÇ-13
PÇ-14
PÇ-15
PÇ-16
OÇ-1
5
4
OÇ-2
4
5
OÇ-3
4
4
OÇ-4
4
5
5
OÇ-5
3
5
4
OÇ-6
4
4
3
3
OÇ-7
5
4
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026