SDG Detail

ENVSCI 303 : Environmental Science, Risk and Society

Undergraduate course

Project description

Society has become increasingly mistrusting of science and decision-makers abilities to deal with complex environmental issues resulting from changing social and technological pressures. Understanding the nature of science and society is important for recognising the influence of scientific contributions to complex environmental issues. This course is an examination of the contemporary topics that shape the ways in which environmental science may be communicated and understood. Topics of discussion include issues of scientific uncertainty, risk communication, public trust, policy and the role of media. This course is preparation for anyone wanting to progress to a career or postgraduate studies with a focus on the society-environment nexus.

Year 2022

Location New Zealand

Organization University of Auckland

Project aims

Project outcome

By the end of this course, students will be able to: Critique the factors that shape the communication of scientific uncertainty and risk. (Capability 1 and 4) Identify, explain and evaluate contrasting ideas of an environmentally framed issue and proposed solutions. (Capability 1, 4 and 6) Describe, analyse and consider representations of environmental science. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5)