Programs and Courses

Source: https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/2026/course/SCOM3029 Parent: https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/program/AACOM

• Code SCOM3029

• Unit Value 6 units

• Offered by Centre for the Public Awareness of Science

• ANU College ANU College of Systems and Society
• Course subject Science Communication

• Areas of interest Science Communication

• Academic career UGRD

• Course convener
• Dr Jasper Montana
• Mode of delivery In Person
• Co-taught Course
• SCOM6029
• Offered in

Second Semester 2026\

See Future Offerings - STEM Course - Graduate Attributes - Critical Thinking - Transdisciplinary - Indigenous Perspectives

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Science Communication and Planetary Crises (SCOM3029)

• Introduction
• Learning Outcomes
• Indicative Assessment
• Workload
• Inherent Requirements
• Requisite and Incompatibility
• Prescribed Texts
• Preliminary Reading
• Assumed Knowledge
• Fees
• Offerings and Dates

This course will prepare you to develop a robust transdisciplinary understanding of planetary crises and proposed solutions, with global aspirations for sustainable futures (e.g., the UN SDGs) as a key reference point. It will increase your understanding of why concerns about uncertainty, diversity and equity matter when we aim to use scientific knowledge to engage with the critical challenges we face around climate change, novel technologies, resource consumption, deepening inequalities and related issues. The course will provide the foundations for recognising and engaging with different cultural lenses, both within science, and between science and other knowledge-systems. Concepts and themes around dialogical, participatory, inclusive and decolonial science communication will be introduced. Building on foundations from the course, you will reflect on the implications for doing science and for using science to inform publics, journalists, governments, industry, professional bodies or other scientists in discussions and practices intended to respond to interlocking planetary crises.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Understand the relevance of uncertainty, diversity and equity for communicating the sciences of planetary crises;
2. Analyse key concepts, themes and empirical examples illustrating cultural differences in doing and using science;
3. Apply the broader insights to analyse a concrete case of science or technology from different cultural lenses such as Indigenous, Western, global South and transdisciplinary knowledges;
4. Develop and report on research undertaken to bring a transdisciplinary approach to a case study of science communication for planetary crises.

Indicative Assessment

1. Blog post (25) [LO 1,2]
2. Research proposal (25) [LO 1,2,3,4]
3. Research report (3000 words) (50) [LO 1,2,3,4]

The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

Workload

The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the session including:

·       Face-to face component, which may consist of 1x 3-hour lectorial per week.

·       Approximately 94 hours of self-directed study which will include complementary readings and assignments.

Inherent Requirements

No specific inherent requirements have been identified for this course.

Requisite and Incompatibility

To enrol in this course you must have completed 72 units of tertiary study. Incompatible with SCOM6029.

Prescribed Texts

No prescribed text required.

Preliminary Reading

Students will be provided readings from a range of sources throughout the course via the Learning Management System.

Assumed Knowledge

SCOM1001 and SCOM1002

Fees

Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.

Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students\ If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. 

Student Contribution Band: : 2

Unit value: : 6 units

If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) placeor international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.

Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.

Course fees

Domestic International

Domestic fee paying students

International fee paying students

Note: Please note that fee information is for current year only.

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Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

The list of offerings for future years is indicative only. \

Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.

2026

Second Semester