Most inventions never make it out of the laboratory. Few reach the public. Why? Innovations and great ideas are not self-evident. Rather, inventors must persuade their fellow citizens that their ideas have merit and are worth adopting. This course will survey the broad field of "Diffusion of Innovations." Through case studies from around the globe and discussions of diffusion theory, students will learn how innovations ranging from vaccines to the world's largest particle accelerator gained acceptance through analog and digital communication. Students will also learn about diffusion failures ranging from water boiling to the DVORAK keyboard. They will then design a strategy for disseminating an existing but underappreciated scientific or technological innovation to United States adopters. The strategy will demonstrate a keen appreciation of scientific merit, diffusion of innovation theory, and the nuances of U.S. culture. This first year seminar course will also familiarize students with the methods used to collect, interpret, analyze, and present evidence in the social sciences, particularly in the field of communication. |