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701-0785-00L 4 Credits BSC , DS , MSC D-USYS , D-GESS
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Environmental and Science Communication

Umwelt- und Wissenschaftskommunikation

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Heinz Bonfadelli, Michael Schanne
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:14:04

Abstract

The course gives an introductionary overview in research questions, theoretical perspectives and empirical results of science-, environmental and risk communication, illustrated by concrete examples.

Objective

Goals: Learning to understand structures and processes of environmental and science journalism, becoming sensitive for problems of science public relations, getting an insight into environmental information campaigns. Methods: Case studies, invitation of media practitioners and experts, discussions, studying key theoretical concepts of communication. Topics: Concrete communication instruments like media conferences, theoretical perspectives of public relations, basic principles and examples of information campaigns, environment and science as media topics, introduction into environmental journalism, functions and structures of science communication, relations between science, media and politics.

Content

I. Introduction - Topics: Environment, Science, Risks, Media - Forms, Functions, Processes of Mass Communication - Uses and Effects II. Public Relations for Environement - Definition - Research Questions - Theoretical Perspectives - Instuments - Informations Campaigns as Case Study III. Science in the Media - Questions and Empirical Research - How Much? What Forms? Quality? - Problems of Selection, Interpretation, Quality IV. Environment in the Media - Questions and Empirical Research - How Much? What Forms? Themes? Quality? - Barriers to Environmental Communication V. Risk Communication - Research Questions and theoretical Perspectives - Goals of Risk Communication - Case Studies

Resources

Lecture Notes

There is a script for the whole course.

Literature

- Bonfadelli, Heinz: Medienwirkungsforschung II: Anwendungen in Politik, Wirtschaft und Kultur. Kap. Informationskampagnen. UVK Verlag: Konstanz 2000. - de Haan, Gerhard (Hg.): Umweltbewusstsein und Massenmedien. Perspektiven ökologischer Kommunikation. Akademie Verlag: Berlin 1995. - Göpfert, Walter / Russ-Mohl, Stephan (Hg.): Wissenschaftsjournalismus. List-Verlag: München 2000. - Hömberg, Walter: Ökologie: ein schwieriges Medienthema. In: Bonfadelli, Heinz / Meier, Werner (Hg.): Krieg, AIDS, Katastrophen... Gegenwartsprobleme als Herausforderung der Publizistikwissenschaft. Universitäsverlag Konstanz: Konstanz 1993, S. 81-93. - Meier, Werner A. / Schanne, Michael (Hg.): Gesellschaftliche Risiken in den Medien. Seismo: Zürich 1996. - Thorbrietz, Petra: Umwelt und Ökologie in den Medien. In: Calliess, Jörg / Lob, Reinhold (Hg.): Handbuch Praxis der Umwelt- und Friedenserziehung. Bd. 1: Grundlagen. Schwann: Düsseldorf, 1987, S. 300-310.

General Information

Language
German
Levels
BSC , DS , MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
end-of-semester examination

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture Umwelt- und Wissenschaftskommunikation
  • Fri 13:15-15:00 (HG D 3.2)
2 h weekly

Offered In