Science Journalism
Introduction to Science Journalism
* As a result of the demand by students for the course, it will also be offered in May 2013. The outline of the 2012 fall program is listed below. Visit us again for details.
Science journalists play a key role in the public understanding of science by reporting on the results and implications of scientific research. Learn how science journalists do their work, including developing story ideas, interviewing researchers and working with editors and producers. The course is designed to provide a practical introduction to the techniques and practice of science journalism for graduate students interested in applying a scientific background to a career in science media, or for those who would like to augment an academic career with popular science writing or broadcasting.
The course runs for four weeks from November 13 to December 4, 2012, Tuesday evenings 5-7pm. Only students able to attend all four classes should register for the course.
Instructor: Ivan Semeniuk
An experienced science journalist and broadcaster, Ivan is the US news editor for the journal Nature. He currently manages a team of reporters who cover science and science policy news across North America in print and in online media. He was previously Boston bureau chief for New Scientist magazine, a columnist and producer for Discovery Channel in Canada, and a MIT Knight Fellow in Science Journalism.
Course outline:
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WEEK 1 - November 13, 2012 5PM to 7 PM
Turning science into news (finding and developing ideas)
Assignment: find three ideas to pitch
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WEEK 2 - November 20, 2012 5PM to 7 PM
Working with sources (reporting and interviewing)
Assignment: identify and interview 2 sources
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WEEK3 - November 27, 2012 5PM to 7 PM
Building a narrative (character and story)
Assignment: write a first draft of a short science news story
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WEEK4 - December 4, 2012 – 5PM to 7 PM
Science and the spoken word (reporting for audiovisual media)
Hand in draft story for feedback.
Limited enrolment. Registration begins October 9, 2012, 10AM through ELWS.
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