JOUR 297 - Topics in Public Science

Credits: 3
When Offered: Winter

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing. Open to nonmajors.Co-taught interdisciplinary study of selected issues in science or social science and how those issues are presented to the public by the news media. This course gives a basic presentation of research and other information about particular topics. The emphasis is on how a journalist would find this information, evaluate the quality of various sources, and create a meaningful written presentation that contributes to public understanding. Student work involves extensive writing.

Topic in Winter, 2010:

JOUR 297: Topics in Public Science: The Space Program (3). Appropriate for non-majors. An examination of the history of the space program as well as its current and possible future directions. Topics include the space race and lunar missions of the 1960s, the space stations (Skylab, Mir, and the International Space Station), the Space Shuttle, the unmanned (and unappreciated) interplanetary probes, and the possible routes to a lunar base and Mars mission. We also look at how popular science fiction (Star Trek and Star Wars) have affected the public view of space travel. Extensive use of video. Substantial writing required. Richardson and Desjardins.

Richardson, Staff from a science discipline.