Overview
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.
About this paper
| Paper title | Science and Creative Non-Fiction Writing |
|---|---|
| Subject | Science Communication |
| EFTS | 0.1667 |
| Points | 20 points |
| Teaching period | Semester 2 (Distance learning) |
| Delivery mode | The Distance Learning offering of this paper is taught and assessed remotely |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,665.83 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Restriction
- NHFC 403, SCOM 403
- Limited to
- PGDipSciComm, PGCertSciComm
- Contact
- lloyd.davis@otago.ac.nz
- More information link
- View more information on the Centre for Science Communication's website
- Teaching staff
- Paper Structure
Part One: Vlog
Most classes will begin with a Vlog by way of an introduction to the topic of that week’s class.
Part Two: Lectures
This series of lectures uses examples and practical exercises that focus primarily on aspects of writing about nonfiction subjects, especially science, in creative ways that are engaging while still being informative.
Part Three: Weekly Readings and Discussion
Most classes will have an assigned reading or other online materials (these materials will be made available on the server or, in some cases, may be emailed as links). All students are expected to have read, watched, or listened to these materials and engage in critical discussion of the assigned weekly content using the discussion boards on blackboard. Failure to do so will be obvious.
Part Four: Taking a Trip with LSD
In this series of intimate personal reflections, LSD talks about his experiences as a writer in ways that are relevant to the week’s topic.
Part Five: Exercises
A series of tutorials and exercises to help you develop the skills needed to produce your own book.
- Teaching Arrangements
This Distance Learning paper is taught remotely.
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
- Learn the skills necessary to write about science for children
- Write and submit an essay to an online magazine
- Write and illustrate a travel article suitable for submission to a magazine
- Write, illustrate (incorporating multi-media elements) and publish an e-book on an aspect of science
- Learn to write biographies