HPSC3053 Globalization in Theory and Practice. Course Syllabus. Course Information. Basic course information

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1 HPSC3053 Globalization in Theory and Practice Course Syllabus session Dr Simon J Lock address: simon.lock@ucl.ac.uk Course Information We live in an increasingly globalized world. But what is? How is it re-shaping our world? Scientists themselves now work increasingly as part of increasingly global teams, but does this mean scientific knowledge is universal? Science and technology exist in, and enable, many of the global networks that have become central to the modern world, for example finance and communication. This student research-led module will first introduce students to theoretical perspectives on science, technology and. Students will then be supported to work in groups to collaboratively research a specific and relevant contemporary case study e.g. climate change, energy policy, internet regulation. Students will produce an individual research essay on a focused aspect of the topic and a group policy report which distils out the relevant information from all individual essays. Basic course information Moodle Web site: Assessment: Timetable: Prerequisites: Required texts: Course tutor(s): Contact: Web: 1 x individual essay (3500 words), 1 x group report (3500 words) Fridays 10am -12pm none none Dr Simon J Lock simon.lock@ucl.ac.uk Office location: 22 Gordon Square, Rm 2.2

2 Schedule UCL Week Topic Date Activity 20 Introduction to Science, Technology and Globalization 13 th Jan 21 Theorizing science, technology and 20 th Jan 22 Thinking about climate change 27 th Jan 23 Thinking about the internet 3 rd Feb 24 Thinking about energy 10 th Feb Students finalise their groups and topics Reading Week 26 Researching science technology and 27 Researching science technology and 28 Researching science technology and Individual essay due 24 th Feb Each group presents topic, initial research questions and individual areas of focus 3 rd Mar Each group presents work in progress 10 th Mar Each group presents work in progress 16 th Mar 29 How to write for policymakers 17 th Mar 30 Policy report WIP presentations 24 th Mar Policy report due 31st Mar Assessments Summary Description Deadline Word limit Deadline for Tutors to provide Feedback Individual essay 16 th March th March 2017 Group written policy briefing/report 31st March (group total) 14 th April 2017

3 Assessment Specific Criteria for Assessment for this Module: A good essay for this module will: produce a highly synthetic literature review of academic and policy work on the chosen issue Utilize theories and understandings of to critically analyse the issue in a sophisticated manner Demonstrate extensive research skills and sensitivity to use of different types of sources A good policy report for this module will: Draw out the relevant aspects of the individual essays within each group to provide a timely overview of the policy dimensions Demonstrate an understanding of how to translate academic work into a UK government policy-style briefing Provide information in an easy to understand manner Assessment on this module is comprised of two pieces of coursework: Coursework must be submitted via Moodle In order to be deemed complete on this module students must attempt both pieces of assessment. Essay (due 16th March 2017) A 3500 word academic essay on an area of science or technology You must choose a science and/or technology issue within the broad areas of the internet, climate change or energy technologies. The specific topic will complement your fellow group members topics, so that you can bring together an authoritative policy report on the overarching topic/issue Essay must show synthetic literature review of academic and policy work on this issue o Where the issue is very new, they should demonstrate a critical representation of public and media commentary on the issue Demonstrate how theories and understandings of can help to critically understand and analyse the issue. To break this down further your essay should: Display evidence of wide reading and research on the topic. Beyond a well-researched

4 summary of the issue you will want to consider some or all of the following: e.g. What are the key areas of consensus or debate in the academic literature? Show critical engagement with the literature on and/or social shaping of technology which helps shed light on the social processes involved in the issue, e.g.: e.g. How are processes of implicated in this issue? Can theories or criticisms of help us understand the dynamics of the issue? To what extent is this a technological issue and/or a social and political one? Group policy briefing (due 31st March 2017) You must produce as a group a 3500 word policy report on your overarching group topic/ issue. This will bring together and condense the individual work you have each done for your individual essays to provide a timely, relevant authoritative briefing in the area your group has examined. A four-page policy brief should cover the following aspects: An "at a glance" summary - sum up the key points in a few bullets, so that anyone can ascertain what the point of the briefing is The what and the why's - What is the issue? Why is it important now? Why should the minister care about this? (i.e. what are the policy implications, how does it affect people (their main concern)?) It should not advocate a specific position or stance, it should brief the minister on the state of the evidence (what we already know), highlight where there are uncertainties (what we don't yet know) and where there is controversy present the range of opinion (but giving weight appropriately to the balance of evidence/opinion) Provide information in an easy to understand manner (bear in mind you are communicating this to a non-specialist who may not have thought about this issues before) On the topic of references, policy briefings are not referenced like academic essays, you only include a few references. In essence you serve as the source for much of the factual information in a policy briefing, so you should be sure that when you provide information is presented accurately and use appropriately. Things you might reference are: other bits of policy legislation, comments or quotes from other bodies, key reports. More specific guidance on this assignment will be provided in class. Aims & objectives This module aims to engage students with the complex relationship between science, technology and. The module will explore what is, and its

5 effects as well as its influence in science and technological issues. By the end of this module student should have developed: knowledge of the history of science as a global and globalising phenomenon knowledge of the scope and character of knowledge and understanding of the social, political and financial processes shaping scientific and technological systems of global significance skills in researching a contemporary scientific and technological issue skills in writing for policy makers and developing policy advice skills in working in a team, supporting group research and writing. Reading list Please refer to Moodle for the reading list

Programme Specification. MSc in Palliative Care: Global Perspectives (Distance Learning) Valid from: September 2012 Faculty of Health & Life Sciences

Programme Specification. MSc in Palliative Care: Global Perspectives (Distance Learning) Valid from: September 2012 Faculty of Health & Life Sciences Programme Specification MSc in Palliative Care: Global Perspectives (Distance Learning) Valid from: September 2012 Faculty of Health & Life Sciences SECTION 1: GENERAL INFORMATION Awarding body: Teaching