SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALISM

Prerequisites & course information

Requisites: JOURN 335 or graduate/professional standing Course Designation: Core GenEd - Communication & Literacy Level - Advanced L&S Credit - L&S Liberal Arts and Science Grad 50% - Counts toward 50% graduate coursework requirement Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Spring 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. Report accurately on scientific, environmental, and health topics using credible sources and clear explanations suited to public audiences. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. Analyze the social, political, and ethical contexts that shape how science and environmental stories are produced and received. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. Evaluate the credibility of scientific information and data presented in journalistic, governmental, and industry sources. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 4. Develop and pitch original story ideas that translate complex scientific concepts into accessible, engaging narratives. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 5. Write and revise science and environmental stories that demonstrate clarity, accuracy, and narrative quality. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 6. Apply principles of ethical science reporting, including accuracy, transparency, and fairness in sourcing and framing. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 7. Synthesize and critique scholarly and journalistic literature to situate their reporting within broader debates about science communication, policy, and public understanding. Audience: Graduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Report accurately on scientific, environmental, and health topics using credible sources and clear explanations suited to public audiences. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. Analyze the social, political, and ethical contexts that shape how science and environmental stories are produced and received. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. Evaluate the credibility of scientific information and data presented in journalistic, governmental, and industry sources. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 4. Develop and pitch original story ideas that translate complex scientific concepts into accessible, engaging narratives. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 5. Write and revise science and environmental stories that demonstrate clarity, accuracy, and narrative quality. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 6. Apply principles of ethical science reporting, including accuracy, transparency, and fairness in sourcing and framing. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 7. Synthesize and critique scholarly and journalistic literature to situate their reporting within broader debates about science communication, policy, and public understanding. Audience: Graduate