SCOM433 Science and Creative Non-Fiction Writing

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

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

Timetable

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

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

Professor Lloyd Davis

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

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

Timetable