COR 437 SCIENCE IN THE MEDIA: EXPLORING CURRENT SCIENCE ISSUES
This course will explore current scientific topics as they are presented in the media. As the media, in its various forms, has substantial influence over what the general public learns and understands about scientific issues, the importance of analyzing information that can be obtained from the media will be investigated. During the course of our study, we will read from traditional and more current news sources; in addition, more creative and/or artistic sources of scientific information will be examined. We will concentrate largely on science issues that directly impact society in general, and humans in particular, and how the media can portray or distort these issues that are of concern to large segments of society. In addition, we will critically analyze the historical, ethical, political, and societal considerations of how the media presents these topics, and whether these portrayals are accurate or can be subject to interpretation, particularly over time and context. An integral part of this course will include determining the accuracy of scientific reporting, and how that accuracy can be determined and confirmed (and whether accuracy is necessary or even relevant in all types of media). This course is writing intensive. Open to students in the third or fourth year of study.