- To provide advanced training in historical and social studies on science.
- To train researchers able to develop research projects in history of science and scientific communication.
- To offer a critical programme on historical development of science.
- To provide knowledge about the processes, mechanisms and social media, communication and diffusion of science, from a diachronic and synchronous perspective.
- To teach students to rhetorical and ideologic analysis of the scientific discourse.
- To provide a knowledge of the production processes, consumption and evaluation of the scientific information.
- To stimulate the capacity to analyse critically science and its role in the present and past society.
- To contribute students to know and appreciate the importance of scientific culture in the knowledge society.
- To develop the ability to integrate the historical, communicative and discursive perspective in the global study of sciencie as a social activity.
- To familiarise the students in the information retrieval, and management, organisation and assessment of archival, documental and bibliographical sources
- To teach the students to develop, write and submit in writing and orally research papers.
Teaching organisation
Two modules are offered each semester. The first year modules consist of 15 ECTS whereas those of the second year are 10 ECTS, allowing a greater dedication to the preparation of the Master’s degree project of the second year.
The teaching organisation is designed to combine the theory classes with practical activities and individualised training. It is also intended to make the attendance to classes compatible with other professional activities of the students. Within each module two kinds of three-hour sessions per week plus one additional hour of tutoring will be taught. In the session devoted to the theory lesson (3 hours) the following lines of the dealt topic, the associated problems and the relevant academic literature to study them will be presented.
In the practice session (3 hours), under the supervision of the teacher, students will do exercises that will allow development of skills and working techniques of the field and knowledge of the bibliographical and computer resources of the López Piñero Institute for the History of Medicine and Science. In the remaining tutoring hour an individualised training will be offered, where students will be able to deal directly with the professor their doubts that they deem appropriate, in particular everything related to the exercises and training activities that have been scheduled. Sessions of submission of papers and seminars will also be organized. All classes will be held in the afternoon for four days a week.
