76-395 Science Writing

Units: 9.0 Department: English Prerequisites: 76-270 or 76-271 or 76-372 or 76-375 or 76-379 or 76-472 Cross-listed: 76-795 Related URLs: http://hss.cmu.edu/HTML/departments/engl Today, more than ever, there is a need for illuminating science writing. As the world changes at an ever-accelerating pace, it becomes increasingly difficult to remain scientifically literate and technologically current. This science writing course is for students who want to meet that challenge by developing the special skills needed to comprehend important scientific subjects, and then clearly and effectively write about them for mainstream readers. Students will write short, medium and long form science journalism critiqued in a workshop atmosphere. They will develop pieces for a variety of publication styles including newspapers, hard and soft science magazines, as well as general readership publications, including books. Students from all disciplines are welcome to the course. A special knowledge of science is not necessary (though an appreciation for science is). A central goal is to learn how to engagingly communicate science and technology to lay readers without sacrificing the integrity and complexity of the subjects at hand. The course will also investigate the unique challenges of science writing (as opposed to other forms of journalism), the need to recognize emerging trends that can be transformed into interesting topics as well as the skills that keep readers attention. Students will be expected to hone their abilities in research (primary, secondary and other sources), interviewing, organization and concept pitching.

Popularity index Rank for this semester: #899 Rank in this department: #53   Students also scheduled 76-247 Shakespeare: Comedies and Romances 76-265 Survey of Forms: Poetry 80-110 Nature Mathematical Reasoning 21-110 Problem Solving in Recreational Mat... 03-390 Molecular and Cellular Immunology 76-239 Introduction to Film Studies 03-240 Cell Biology 76-353 Advanced Gender Studies 76-377 Rhetoric of Fiction 76-236 19th Century British Literature

Spring 2005 times

Sec	Time	Day	Instructor	Location
A	3:00 - 4:20 pm	T	Walter	BH 231B
		R	Walter	BH 231B