SCOM433 Science and Creative Non-Fiction Writing

A seminar-based paper that examines the academic and theoretical issues associated with creative non-fiction and how science can best be popularised.

This paper nurtures the student's ability to write about science in creative and engaging ways. Different genres are explored and practised, including biography, travel writing and writing for children. Students will write, illustrate and publish an e-book.

Paper title	Science and Creative Non-Fiction Writing
Paper code	SCOM433
Subject	Science Communication
EFTS	0.1667
Points	20 points
Teaching period	Semester 2 (Distance learning)
Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD)	$1,442.12
International Tuition Fees	Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.

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Restriction

NHFC 403, SCOM 403

Limited to

MSciComm, PGDipSciComm, PGCertSciComm, MAppSci, PGDipAppSci, PGCertAppSci

Notes

Normally available only by distance. Students intending to take this paper on campus should enrol for SOCM 403 instead.

Eligibility

In most cases this paper is available only for those students enrolled in a programme of study with an endorsement in Creative Nonfiction Writing.

Contact

lloyd.davis@otago.ac.nz

More information link

View more information on the Centre for Science Communication's website

Teaching staff

Professor Lloyd Davis

Paper Structure

• Part One (45 min): Weekly Readings and Discussion
  Each class will begin with a discussion of the assigned readings, listening and/or viewing exercises from the week before. (These materials will be made available on the server or, in some cases, emailed as links.) All students are expected to have read, watched, and listened to these materials by the onset of class and to be prepared to engage in critical discussion and detailed in-class analysis of the assigned weekly content. Failure to do so will be obvious.

• Part Two (60 min): Seminars focus primarily on aspects of writing about nonfiction subjects, especially science, in creative ways that are engaging while still being informative. Guest speakers with relevant expertise and experience in the subject area may occasionally join in during the seminars, depending on timing and availability. Students are expected to contribute when appropriate.

• Part Three (60 min): In-Class Exercises
  Following the break, students will participate in an in-class exercise (approx 60 min). These exercises will include a variety of illustrative tasks that involve either individual or team effort. Many of these exercises will be related to the production of the e-book (Assignment 6).

Teaching Arrangements

This Distance Learning paper is taught remotely.

For students who wish to take this as an On-Campus Learning paper please enrol in SCOM403.

One 3-hour session per week.

Textbooks

Any required readings will be made available on Blackboard.

Course outline

The course outline will be supplied at the beginning of the semester.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Lifelong learning, Communication, Critical thinking, Environmental literacy, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

1. Learn the skills necessary to write about science for children
2. Write and submit an essay to an online magazine
3. Write and illustrate a travel article suitable for submission to a magazine
4. Write, illustrate (incorporating multi-media elements) and publish an e-book on an aspect of science
5. Learn to write biographies

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