Department of
Science and Technology Studies
HPSCGA45
Practical Science
Communication
Syllabus
Session
2014-15 Term 2
Timetable
Thursdays 2-6pm
Web site
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/sts/study
Moodle site
https://moodle.ucl.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=22905
Timetable
www.ucl.ac.uk/timetable
Description
A practical course in communicating science based around two key tasks: (1) writing science news and feature articles suitable for New Scientist or the science pages of the ‘quality’ press; (2) producing a radio science magazine programme, such as might be broadcast on Radio 4’s Inside Science; Issues in the public understanding of science are discussed from this practical standpoint of communication. This module is time intensive.
Key Information
Assessment
10%
News article
40%
Feature article
50%
Radio show
Prerequisites
none
Required texts
Newspapers, Nature, New Scientist, POSTnotes, Radio science
programmes
J. Gregory and S. Miller, 1998. Science in Public (Plenum, New York)
HPSCGA45 Practical Science Communication
2014-15 syllabus
Module tutors
Module tutor
Professor Steve Miller
Contact
s.miller@ucl.ac.uk | t: 020 7679 3490
Web
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/sts/staff/miller
Office location
22 Gordon Square, Room
Office hours:
Mondays 9-10am, Thursdays 10am-12noon
and by appointment
Aims and objectives
aims
The aims and objectives of this course are to introduce students to various forms of communicating science to lay audiences. objectives
By the end of this course students will be able to write news and feature articles, and interview for radio Module plan
Students are expected to attend a series of weekly workshops, lasting 3 hours, with an additional
hour of un-assessed study for some of the weeks. The first hour of each week will consist of a
lecture, followed by practical exercises. The schedule for the additional un-assessed hour will be
worked out after discussion with the course participants, based on what topics they have already
covered in previous modules.
Students can book face-to-face feedback sessions either by reserving slots in the advertised office
hours or by making arrangements by email. Some of these sessions may have to be early
morning or later in the evening, depending on demand.
The set text for this course for the additional hours is Science in Public, and the references
therein. Additional texts will be set as required. Students are expected to keep up to date with
science in the news via whichever media suit them best.
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HPSCGA45 Practical Science Communication
2014-15 syllabus
Schedule
UCL Wk
Date
Topic
Activity
1
21 15-1-15
Making news out of science
Introductory discussion
2
22 22-1-15
Interviewing
Nature news writing
3
23 29-1-15
Writing your news articles
Read newspapers
4
24
Feature writing
Read New Scientist features
5
25 12-2-15
Mrs Kelly’s Monster
Read Mrs Kelly’s Monster
26 19-2-15
Reading Week
no lectures
6
27 26-2-15
Radio science
Radio editorial board
7
28
Discussion of radio topics and
feature article
Interview contributors
8
29 12-3-15
Radio programme recording
Interview contributors
9
30 19-3-15
Radio programme recording
Interview contributors
10
31 26-3-15
Radio programme recording
Draft radio programme due
5-2-15
5-3-15
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HPSCGA45 Practical Science Communication
2014-15 syllabus
Reading list
Newspapers, Nature, New Scientist, POSTnotes, Radio science programmes
Newspapers, Nature, New Scientist, POSTnotes, Radio science programmes.
There are several books that give advice on effective science communication. My view is that
the best of these, despite its age, is still Communicating Science: a handbook by Michael
Shortland and Jane Gregory (Longman, 1991).
Students who have not had the opportunity to do so in previous courses would be well advised
to read Science in Public: communication, culture and credibility by Jane Gregory and Steve
Miller (Plenum, 1998; Perseus, 2000).
Assessment
summary
Description
Deadline
Word limit
10%
News article
23:59hrs Friday, February
20, 2015
350-500
40%
Feature article
23:59hrs, Monday, May 4,
2015
2000
50%
Radio show
23:59hrs, Monday, May 4,
2015
25 minutes
coursework
All of the above assessments are coursework. The exact nature of each piece will be explained
in the lecture part of the class, and practice in carrying out the requisite tasks will be in the
remaining class time.
Multiple drafts of all coursework are permitted up until the day of the deadline. Feedback will be
prompt; expect a maximum 48-hour turn-around and shorter as deadlines approach.
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