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    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)
    Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $1,571.48
    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
    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

    Semester 2

    Location
    Dunedin
    Teaching method
    This paper is taught through Distance Learning
    Learning management system
    Blackboard
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