Important notice
The course guide is provisional.
The PDF version of the course guide may take a few days to become available in the DDD.
Heritage and Scientific Communication
Code: 45752Credits: 10
| Degree programme | Type | Course |
|---|---|---|
| History of Science: History, Heritage and Scientific Communication | OB | 1 |
Contact lecturer
- Name :
- Miquel Carandell Baruzzi
- Email :
- miquel.carandell@uab.cat
Teaching staff
- Cristina Sans Ponseti
- Ariadna Ferrer March
- Anyely Marín Cisneros
- Edward Isaac Somerville
- Jaume Sastre Juan
- Michele Catanzaro
- Carlos Tabernero Holgado
- Jaume Valentines Álvarez
Teaching staff (external to UAB)
- Emma Sallent - emma.sallent@ub.edu
- Alfons Zarzoso - azarzoso@imf.csic.es
- Oliver Hochadel - oliver.hochadel@imf.csic.es
Group languages
You can consult this information at the end of the document.
Prerequisites
There are none.
Objectives
This course aims to train students to analyze the material culture of science (instruments, spaces, collections, archives) and the processes of circulation of knowledge, thus providing the theoretical and practical tools necessary to incorporate the critical perspectives of the history of science in the areas of scientific heritage management and scientific communication.
Learning outcomes
- CA06 (Critically evaluate the different approaches in the formulation of problems in the fields of definition and management of scientific heritage and scientific communication.) Critically evaluate the different approaches in the formulation of problems in the fields of definition and management of scientific heritage and scientific communication.
- CA07 (Prepare critical bibliographies on specific problems in the fields of definition and management of scientific heritage and scientific communication.) Prepare critical bibliographies on specific problems in the fields of definition and management of scientific heritage and scientific communication.
- CA08 (Rigorously communicate to specialised and non-specialised audiences the impact of gender biases and inequalities in the processes of scientific professionalisation, using well-founded arguments and adapting the discourse to the context.) Rigorously communicate to specialised and non-specialised audiences the impact of gender biases and inequalities in the processes of scientific professionalisation, using well-founded arguments and adapting the discourse to the context.
- KA05 (Accurately describe the processes of definition and management of scientific heritage and the circulation and transmission of scientific knowledge throughout history and in the current context.) Accurately describe the processes of definition and management of scientific heritage and the circulation and transmission of scientific knowledge throughout history and in the current context.
- KA06 (Precisely define the theoretical and methodological axes of the debates and controversial issues of current affairs in the history of science, the definition and management of scientific heritage and scientific communication.) Precisely define the theoretical and methodological axes of the debates and controversial issues of current affairs in the history of science, the definition and management of scientific heritage and scientific communication.
- KA07 (Accurately describe the gender biases and inequalities of rights and opportunities historically and currently present in the processes of scientific professionalisation, identifying the main factors and contexts that have conditioned them.) Accurately describe the gender biases and inequalities of rights and opportunities historically and currently present in the processes of scientific professionalisation, identifying the main factors and contexts that have conditioned them.
- SA06 (Identify the different approaches in the approach to historiographical and practical problems in the fields of the definition and management of scientific heritage and scientific communication.) Identify the different approaches in the approach to historiographical and practical problems in the fields of the definition and management of scientific heritage and scientific communication.
- SA07 (Critically analyse the mechanisms of production and management of narratives about science and its heritage, incorporating the dimensions of gender, race, class, materiality, and power.) Critically analyse the mechanisms of production and management of narratives about science and its heritage, incorporating the dimensions of gender, race, class, materiality, and power.
- SA08 (Critically analyse the mechanisms of production and editing of narratives of and about communication and scientific dissemination, incorporating the dimensions of gender, race, class, materiality and power.) Critically analyse the mechanisms of production and editing of narratives of and about communication and scientific dissemination, incorporating the dimensions of gender, race, class, materiality and power.
Contents
This course explores how the material and communicative dimensions of science are fundamental to the processes of scientific knowledge creation, both past and present. The various sessions provide the necessary theoretical and practical tools to incorporate critical perspectives from the history of science on material culture and scientific communication, while also developing skills in the design and production of professional content in these areas.
The course will begin with an introductory session describing its characteristics and features, as well as its assessment method. From there, the course will consist of two main sections: the first dedicated to heritage and the second to communication. Each section will begin with a lecture exploring the historiographies of scientific heritage and scientific communication and will conclude with a practical session.
Thus, the subject will be structured as follows:
1. Presentation
HERITAGE
2. Historiographical frameworks – Heritage
3. Chambers of wonders: Salvadoriana
4. Exhibited bodies: Anatomical Theatre
5. Heritage, knowledge and colonialism: Maritime Museum
6. Scientific academies: RACAB
7. Museum and natural sciences: Martorell Museum
8. Medicine, Architecture, Urbanism
9. Industrial Heritage and Nation: MNACTEC
10. Practical session - material culture
COMMUNICATION
11. Historiographical frameworks – Communication
12. Scientific journalism I
13. Scientific journalism II
14. Mass media: radio, cinema and television
15. Animals, animal rights and scientific communication
16. Interactivity: the science museum
17. Activist voices: areas of exchange, counterculture and fun
18. Citizen science networks
19. Practical communication session
20. Conclusion and labor market
Learning activities and methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classes Teòrico-Pràctiques | 60 | 2.4 | CA06, CA07, CA08, KA05, KA06, KA07, SA06, SA07, SA08 |
| Treball Autònom | 150 | 6 | CA06, CA07, CA08, KA05, KA06, KA07, SA06, SA07, SA08 |
| Tutories i elaboració treballs pràctics | 40 | 1.6 | CA06, CA07, CA08, KA05, KA06, KA07, SA06, SA07, SA08 |
In addition to providing the student with the necessary theoretical tools, this subject aims to have an eminently practical orientation. The first block of the subject, dedicated to heritage, will use the sessions held in situ in science heritage spaces, such as the Botanical Garden, the Anatomical Theatre or the Terrassa Science and Technology Museum, to endow students with the necessary tools to manage and analyze scientific heritage. The second block will endow students with theoretical tools to critically analyze different types of scientific communication, while providing students with the practical tools of different types of scientific communication.
Assessment
Continuous assessment activities
| Title | Weight | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Informe Patrimoni | 30% | 0 | 0 | CA06, CA07, CA08, KA07, SA06, SA07 |
| Exercicis Patrimoni | 20% | 0 | 0 | CA06, CA07, CA08, KA05, KA06, KA07, SA06, SA07 |
| Article Periodístic | 30% | 0 | 0 | CA06, CA08, SA08 |
| Exercicis Comunicació | 20% | 0 | 0 | CA06, CA07, CA08, KA05, KA06, KA07, SA06, SA08 |
- Heritage Report (30%): Preparation of an analysis report of a heritage element of science, technology or medicine.
- Exercises Heritage sessions (20%): Active participation in the sessions and completion of one brief exercise in the Heritage section.
- Journalistic article (30%): Write a journalistic article with the quality and elements necessary for publication on UAB Media (https://uab.media/). The article will be developed over several sessions of the course and prepared for publication.
- Exercises Communication sessions (20%): Active participation in the sessions and completion of one brief exercise in the Communication section.
This subject allows the use of AI technologies as an integral part of the submitted work, provided that the final result reflects a significant contribution from the student in terms of analysis and personal reflection. The student must clearly (i) identify which parts have been generated using AI technology; (ii) specify the tools used; and (iii) include a critical reflection on how these have influenced the process and final outcome of the activity. Lack of transparency regarding the use of AI in the assessed activity will be considered academic dishonesty; the corresponding grade may be lowered, or the work may even be awarded a zero. In cases of greater infringement, more serious action may be taken.
Bibliography
Bibliography and other resources:
On the Sabers en Acció blog, you will find many posts related to the topics covered in this course.
On the SCHCT website, you can consult the virtual tours of Barcelona's scientific heritage.
Scientific communication at the UAB is available at UABDivulga, and journalism and communication internships are offered at UABMedia.
Adams, Annmarie. Medicine by design: the architect and the modern hospital, 1893-1943. U of Minnesota Press, 2008.
Bennett, Tony (1988), “The exhibitionary complex”, New Formations iv, pp. 73-102.
Carandell Baruzzi, Miquel (2021), The Orce Man: Controversy, Media and Politics in Human Origins Research, Brill.
De la Torre, Marta, ed. (2002), Assessing the Values of Cultural Heritage. Research Report, The Getty Conservation Institute.
Dierig, Sven; Lachmund, Jens; Mendelsohn, J. Andrew. “Introduction: toward an urban history of science”, Osiris, 2003, vol. 18, p. 1-19.
Epstein, Steven (1996), Impure Science: AIDS, Activism, and the Politics of. Knowledge, University of California Press.
Gaskell, Ivan, and Sarah Anne Carter eds. (2020), The Oxford Handbook of History and Material Culture, Oxford Handbooks.
Harrison, Rodney (2020), Heritage Futures: Comparative Approaches to Natural and Cultural Heritage Practices, University College London.
Hochadel, Oliver and Nieto-Galan, A. (2017), Barcelona: an urban history of science and modernity, 1888-1929. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.
Jordanova, L. J. (2012), The look of the past: visual and material evidence in historical practice, Cambridge University Press.
MacDonald, Sharon (1998), “Exhibitions of Power and Powers of Exhibition: An Introduction to the Politics of Display”, in MacDonald, Sharon ed., The Politics of Display: Museums, Science, Culture. Routledge, pp. 1-5.
Nieto-Galan, Agustí (2011), Los públicos de la ciència. Expertos y profanos a través de la historia, Marcial Pons.
Oevermann, Heike i Mieg, Harald, eds. (2014), Industrial Heritage Sites in Tranformation: Clash of Discourses, Routledge.
Pardo-Tomas, José; Zarzoso, Alfons, Sánchez-Menchero, Mauricio, eds. (2019), Cuerpos mostrados. Regímenes de exhibición de lo humano. Barcelona y Madrid, siglos XVII-XX, Siglo XXI editores-Anthropos.
Pardo Tomás, José (2014), Salvadoriana: el gabinet de curiositats de Barcelona. Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona.
Perrin, Andrew J.(2002) “Making Silicon Valley: Culture, representation, and technology at the Tech museum. The Communication Review, 2002, vol. 5, no 2, p. 91-108.
Sastre-Juan, Jaume (2016), “La inocencia de pulsar un botón. Una mirada histórica y crítica a los orígenes de la interactividad en los museos de la ciència”, Investigación y Ciencia: 12-13.
Sastre-Juan i Jaume Valentines-Álvarez (2026), La cultura científica de la Transición: La cultura científica de la Transición: Museos, ciencia y política en la Barcelona pre-olímpica, Bellaterra Edicions.
Smith, Laurajane (2006), Uses of Heritage, Routledge.
Söderqvist, Thomas (2010) “The participatory museum and distributed curatorial expertise”, NTM Zeitschrift für Geschichte der Wissenschaften, Technik und Medizin, vol. 18, no 1, p. 69-78.
Somerville, Ned and Carandell Baruzzi, Miquel (2023), “Museització dels espais hospitalaris barcelonins. El cas de l’Hospital de Sant Pau” in Zarzoso, A. & Barceló-Prats, J. (eds.). Barcelona hospitalária. La ciutat i els seus hospitals, segles XIV-XX.. Muhba, pp. 529-540.
Somerville, Ned (2021), “The musealization of Barcelona’s industrial past”, tesi doctoral, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.
Thompson, John B. (1995), Los media y la modernidad: una teoría de los medios de comunicación, Paidós.
Zarzoso, Alfons, y Maribel Morente (2020), Cuerpos representados: objetos de ciencia artísticos en España, siglos XVIII-XX, Sans Soleil Ediciones.
Software
Not needed.
Course groups and languages
The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE
| Type of teaching | Group | Language | Semester | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (TEm) Theory (master) | 1 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | afternoon |