The Debating Science courses formally begin with the workshop in Missoula and continue throughout the fall of 2008 online. At the workshop, participants will be treated to talks by leading scientists and ethicists in the areas of nanotechnology, biotechnology and climate change. In addition, the course instructors (Bendick, Preston and Scott) will meet with students in a seminar format to introduce them to the Online Deliberation Center (ODC), essentially a web-based tool for facilitating deliberation over policy issues. Students will leave Missoula familiar with this new technology and the goals of this project. Perhaps most importantly, participant will interact and make friends with a wide variety of graduate students from around the country who are interested in the ethical implications of science. Thompson speaking to Debating Science students. The three Debating Science courses take place throughout the fall on the Online Deliberation Center (ODC). One of the goals of this project is to test the ODC as an educational tool. During the first year of this project we gained many insights into how to make the ODC a useful educational tool. During the second year we will implement and test many new features and instructional techniques.
This technology creates exciting new possibilities for cooperative, democratic deliberations between people with different areas of expertise located at universities across the country. Working on the ODC provides participants with the opportunity to reflect on the ethical and social contexts for research. This project is designed to provide graduate students with the unique opportunity to step back and look at the bigger picture.
In order for this project to be successful, participants must commit to consistent participation. This means reading assigned articles, conducting research, and working online with their cohort every week. Over the course of the term participants will regularly log on to the ODC to discuss issues and collaborate in writing analyses and recommendations. Commitment to regular participation by all participants is essential to the success of this project. All students who are accepted into this program must take the course for credit and grade.
"I was very impressed with my fellow participants and I look forward to interacting with them over the coming semester and beyond"
Find out more about Debating Science with our interactive online course.
