Third, the School of Journalism has a tradition in science communication with many graduates working in the field. The courses in science, health and environmental communication allow a specialization in science communication for graduate students and an emphasis in science sommunication for undergraduates in the College of Communications and other departments. We offer three of these courses each year. Several of these courses are appropriate for the honors program in the College of Arts and Sciences. A writing workshop in which students analyze examples of successful science writing and write a series of articles for the general public based on scientific journals, news conferences, technical meetings, and interviews.
Students hear presentations from and interview experts in environmental science and reporting.
Exemplary popular literature in environmental reporting is reviewed. Works by authors such as Arthur C. Clarke, Stephen Jay Gould and Richard Selzer are analyzed for literary qualities in a quest to understand why some science writing succeeds. How and why the media report some health issues and not others.