CHEM380

[WesMaps Home Page] [Course Search] [Course Search by CID]

CHEM380

Writing about Science CHEM380 FA

Section	Class Size	*Available	Times
1	5	0	Times: .T.T... 10:00AM-11:20AM;

*The number of spaces listed as available is based on class seats open for the current phase of registration. Some seats may be taken in previous phases while others may be held out for subsequent phases of registration. (Last Updated on Wed Mar 4 05:01:03 EST 1998 )

This course emphasizes writing about science and technology for a general audience. An overview is developed by close analysis of science-related news accounts, articles from quality newspapers and popular science magazines. In parallel with these readings, students will undertake a graded series of writing assignments leading to the development of a complete science article in the genre of THE SCIENCES, OMNI or DISCOVER. Special problems will be explored in depth, including the difficulty of writing about counterintuitive concepts, turning complicated jargon and abstractions into understandable prose, and the use of example and metaphor to communicate to a general audience. There will be interviews with professional science writers as well as possible trips to research facilities. A special feature will involve novel use of the Internet in accessing information.

MAJOR READINGS

Freidman, Dunwoody, Rogers: SCIENTISTS AS
JOURNALISTS: REPORTING SCIENCE AS NEWS
Selected readings from: The NEW YORK TIMES, THE SCIENCES
(NYAS), SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, DISCOVER magazine, SCIENCE
TIMES

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Weekly reading and short writing assignments. One major paper (publication-length article). Final exam.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

The course will include guest lectures by NSM faculty in their fields of expertise.

COURSE FORMAT: Discussion Lecture Use of computers/Internet

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UG Credit: 1.00 Gen Ed Area & Dept: NSM CHEM

Prerequisites: None

Section 01: McConnell, J; Times: .T.T... 10:00AM-11:20AM;; Grading Mode: A/F; Registration Preference (1 high to 6 low, 0=Excluded) Sr: 1, Jr: 1, So: 2, Fr: 0; No Major Preference Given

Last Updated on MAR-03-1998

Contact wesmaps@wesleyan.edu to submit comments or suggestions.