Course: (MAC 302) Medical and Science Journalism. (2 Credits. Elective)
Course Duration: Two hours per week for 15weeks (30 hours) as taught in the 2011/2012
session
Lecturer:
La’aro, Oba Abdulkadir
M.Sc. Mass Communication, B.Sc. Mass Communication, ( Lagos),
PGD in Education, (Kaduna)
Department of Mass Communication,
Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences,
University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.
E-mail:
obalaaro@yahoo.com
laaro.oa@unilorin.edu.ng
Office Location: First Floor Room 3 Education Technology Building
University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
Consultation Hours: 11am-12noon (Mondays and Tuesdays)
Course Content
Recognizing, investigating, analyzing and explaining scientific and medical findings and issues..
These issues will address contemporaneous pandemic such as malaria scourge, HIV/ AIDS,
Avian influenza, reproductive health, infant mortality and morbidity etc.
Course Description
The course is about acquiring the writing and reporting skills that are necessary for covering
typical medical and science issues and development. The course will examine a broad range of
issues and debates presently taking place in science and medical field and general science world. The
initial part of the course will broach the medical and science journalism which can provide you with
contextual as well as analytical foundations to critically approach the reporting task in the field. The
course will then explore various subjects reflecting cultural, socioeconomic, and political dynamics
that have created the complex nature of medical practice and scientific discovery.
Course Justification
Science is the foundation of modern development while medical practice as a branch of the
sciences is critical to human development and sustenance. Journalism reports development in the
two fields for the populace to be aware of the development in the fields. It is important for the
student to be skilled in technical language peculiar to medical and scientific area for effective
communication.
Course Objectives
The aim of the course is to provide student with the writing and reporting skills that are
necessary for covering typical medical and science issues and development. The course will
build in the students analytical foundations to critically examine and report medical and science
particularly to a developing country audience. Specifically, the student, at the end of the course
will be able to:
1. Explain what is meant by medical and scientific journalism as different from other type
of journalism.
2. Identify what constitute medical journalism and what constitute science journalism.
3. Write an interpretative, investigative/detective article about medical and science
discovery, claims or findings.
4. Demonstrate the validity of scientific claims/findings by critically analyzing research
findings and medical practice.
Course Requirements
Class attendance is compulsory and the timely submissions of assigned beat reports. The student
is expected to read extensively about medical and science practice and keep up to date with
development in the field. Each student is to pick one medical subject and science subject and
write news articles and published two feature articles in a national newspaper on it. Details of
assignment will be announced in class. Subscription and participation in an on-line discussion
group is compulsory. A 75% class attendance is compulsory and assignment must be submitted
in word processing except otherwise indicated.
Methods of Grading
The evaluation criteria, based on the activities of the course, are as distributed below
Grading Criteria
Score (%)
Class Test
10
Practical (news, articles)
20
Special investigation(published or broadcast)
10
Participation in class and online discussion group
10
Final examination
50
TOTAL
100
Course Delivery Strategies
Face-to-face lectures involving theoretical and practical sessions will be the major method of
course delivery. Students will be assigned beats and are expected to present weekly report
publishable in the mass media. Two online discussion on topics agreed upon in class shall be
conducted.
Lecture Content
Week 1: Medical and Science reporting as advanced journalism
Objective:
At the end of the course this week, students will be able to identify the scope and subject of
medical and science journalism.
Description
First Hour
Medical journalism covers health services, pharmacy, vetenary and medical laboratory services.
Second Hour
Science journalism is about reporting scientific and research activities in engineering,
technology, environment and agriculture.
Study Questions:
1. Why do you think medical and science journalism study is important?
2. Identify and discuss four medical and science jargon in a way that will be understood by
audience of mass media.
3. Compare two definitions each of medicine and science.
4. List and evaluate the sources of medical and science reporting.
5. State five goals of medical and science reporting.
Reading List.
1. Anaeto, Soloman G, (2007) Science and technology journalism,Lagos,Jamiro Press
link.pp 1—19 ISBN 978-978-084-668-8
2. Brooks, B.S, Kennedy,G.,Moen, D.R.,Ranly, D.(1988),News reporting and writing, New
York, St. Martin’s Press pp267-270. ISBN 0-313-00279-3
3. Itule, B. D.,Anderson, D.A.,(2008), News writing and reporting for today’s media,
International edition (7th ed),New York, McGraw-Hill pp 7& 27 ISBN 978-007127582-8 or MHID 007-117582-7
4. Harcup,T.,(2004), Journalism principles and practices. London: England, Sage
Publications (www.sagepublication.com) pp1-10…ISBN 13-978-0-7819-74987499-4(pbk). 13-978-0-7819-7498(hbk).
5. Blum, Deborah,Knudson, Mary,Henig,Robin Marantz.(2006) A field guide for science
writers 2ed, Oxford, University Press, pp,1--20
Week 2: Professions/fields of medicine and Science
Objectives: The main objective of this week is to acquaint the student with the broad range of
professions/fields in medicine and science and their basic functions.
Description
First Hour
Identifying and discussing different profession in medical practice
Second hour
Identifying and discussing different fields of Science
Study Questions
1. How will your reporting of pharmacy different from nursing and why?
2. Describe the job of pharmacy in the medical service process
3. List and discuss 3 fields of science medical practice.
4. Evaluate the environment of medical practice in Nigeria.
5. How do you think animal can be of interest to medical and science reporter?
Reading List
Itule, B. D.,Anderson, D.A.,(2008), News Writing and Reporting for Today’s Media,
International edition (7th ed),New York, McGraw-Hill p…ISBN 978-007-127582-8 or MHID
007-117582-7
Harcup,T.,(2004),Journalism Principles and Practices. London,Sage Publications
(www.sagepublication.com) P…ISBN 13-978-0-7819-7498-7499-4(pbk). 13-978-0-78197498(hbk).
Week 3.Requirement of Medical and Science Journalism
Objectives: The main objective of this week is to enumerate the skills and aptitude the student
needs to function effectively as medical and science reporter.
Description
First Hour
The Skills -- informed, seeking to understanding, Knowledgeable, Skeptic/critic
Second Hour
Relevance of News Values in the context of medical and science.
Study Questions.
1. All journalism requires some level of skepticism but more so for medical and science
journalism. Why is this so?
2. Find out the state of facilities in an heath center closer to you and do a one page report on
it.
3. Apply the news value of proximity to select three medical stories.
4. Apply the news value of significance to select story on environment issues.
5. What are the most important science issues in your are now?List them.
Reading List
Brooks, B.S,Kennedy,G.,Moen, D.R.,Ranly, D.(1988),News Reporting and Writing, New
York, St. Martin’s Press.pp 1-30 ISBN 0-313-00279-3
Itule, B. D.,Anderson, D.A.,(2008), News Writing and Reporting for Today’s Media,
International edition (7th ed),New York, McGraw-Hill p12-13 ISBN 978-007-127582-8 or
MHID 007-117582-7
Harcup,T.,(2004),Journalism Principles and Practices. London,Sage Publications
(www.sagepublication.com) pp29-35 ISBN 13-978-0-7819-7498-7499-4(pbk). 13-978-0-78197498(hbk).
Week 4.Writing and Reporting Medical and Science
Objectives: The main objectives of this week is to make use of the journalistic principles in the
context of medical and science reporting
Description
First Hour
Requirements of gathering facts in medical and science: (observing, investigating, interviewing,
researching, listening, skepticism.)
Second Hour
Sources of medical and science journalism:- P.R Releases, website, Blog, Interviews, Touring.
Study Questions.
1. State the importance of journalistic values to reporting medical and science?
2. How will you ensure that the journalism values influence your coverage of medical
and science issues?
3. What are the peculiar journalistic activities in science and medical reporting?
4. How will you convince a scientist to give data he is unwilling to release?
5. Explain why a journalist needs to be a skeptic in reporting medical and science
activities?
Reading List
Brooks, B.S,Kennedy,G.,Moen, D.R.,Ranly, D.(1988),News Reporting and Writing, New
York, St. Martin’s Press. pp …ISBN 0-313-00279-3
Itule, B. D.,Anderson, D.A.,(2008), News Writing and Reporting for Today’s Media,
International edition (7th ed),New York, McGraw-Hill p265-6 and282-4…ISBN 978-007127582-8 or MHID 007-117582-7
Harcup,T.,(2004),Journalism Principles and Practices. London, Sage Publications
(www.sagepublication.com) p43-49 ISBN 13-978-0-7819-7498-7499-4(pbk). 13-978-0-78197498(hbk).
Week 5. Styles/Approaches to Writing medical and Science Journalism.
Objectives: The main objectives of this week is to highlight different styles of reporting medical
and science reporting and their values.
Description
First Hour & Second Hour
A discussion of Interpretative, Investigative, Detective approaches.
Study Questions:
1. Identify the similarities and differences in the three styles/approaches.
2. In what circumstances will you adopt each of the approaches?
3. Write a two page article to illustrate the detective approach.
4. Write an article about a new discovery or issues in medical science.
5. Write an investigative report about the environment in your locality.
Reading List
Brooks, B.S,Kennedy,G.,Moen, D.R.,Ranly, D.(1988),News Reporting and Writing, New
York, St. Martin’s Press. Pp393-410 ISBN 0-313-00279-3
Itule, B. D.,Anderson, D.A.,(2008), News Writing and Reporting for Today’s Media,
International edition (7th ed),New York, McGraw-Hill p.395-409 ISBN 978-007-127582-8 or
MHID 007-117582-7
Harcup,T.,(2004),Journalism Principles and Practices. London,Sage Publications
(www.sagepublication.com) p127-9…ISBN 13-978-0-7819-7498-7499-4(pbk). 13-978-0-78197498(hbk).
Week 6: Writing Medical and Science for Broadcast media
Objectives: The main objective of this week lectures to make student understand the peculiar
characteristics of broadcast media and write medical and science issues that will be acceptable to
television and radio media.
Description
First Hour
Criteria for broadcast media: timeliness, information, audio impact.
Second Hour
Characteristics of broadcast media writing: immediacy, conversational, clarity.
Study Questions:
1. What reporting advantage do the media of broadcasting provide over the print media in
reporting medical and science issues?
2. What are the limitations of broadcast media in reporting medical and science issues?
3. To what extent is the requirement of timeliness applicable to medical and science
journalism?
4. Discuss the role of broadcast journalist in medical and science
5. Compare radio and television reporting.
Reading List?
Brooks, B.S,Kennedy,G.,Moen, D.R.,Ranly, D.(1988),News Reporting and Writing, New
York, St. Martin’s Press. Pp417-429 ISBN 0-313-00279-3
Harcup,T.,(2004),Journalism Principles and Practices. London,Sage Publications
(www.sagepublication.com) pp141-149 ISBN 13-978-0-7819-7498-7499-4(pbk). 13-978-07819-7498(hbk).
Itule, B. D.,Anderson, D.A.,(2008), News Writing and Reporting for Today’s Media,
International edition (7th ed),New York, McGraw-Hill pp264-279 …ISBN 978-007-127582-8 or
MHID 007-117582-7
Lee, Roberts and Misiorowski,Robert, (1979), SCRIPT MODELS A Handbook For The
Media Writer
Mayeux, P.E. (1985), Writing For the Broadcast, Boston USA, Allyn and Bacon Inc pp163-164 ISBN 0-205-083545-9
New York,Communication Arts Books, Hasting House,pp ISBN 0-8038-6755-7,0-883867549pbk
Robert McLeish (2005), Radio Production, fifth Edition, Focal Press Linacre House
Jordan-Hill Oxford,
pp 264-5 ISBN 0-260-51972-8
Uyo, Adidi (1987), Mass Communication Media Classification and Characteristics;
New York, Civiletis International.
Uyo, Adidi (1989), Mass Media Messages In a Nutshell, New York, Civiletis
International.pp34--40 ISBN
Week 7: Test
Objectives:
Description
First Hour
Test Administration
Second Hour
Test Administration
Reading List
Brooks, B.S,Kennedy,G.,Moen, D.R.,Ranly, D.(1988),News Reporting and Writing, New
York, St. Martin’s Press. Pp417-429 ISBN 0-313-00279-3
Harcup,T.,(2004),Journalism Principles and Practices. London,Sage Publications
(www.sagepublication.com) pp141-149 ISBN 13-978-0-7819-7498-7499-4(pbk). 13-978-07819-7498(hbk).
Itule, B. D.,Anderson, D.A.,(2008), News Writing and Reporting for Today’s Media,
International edition (7th ed),New York, McGraw-Hill pp264-279 …ISBN 978-007-127582-8 or
MHID 007-117582-7
Lee, Roberts and Misiorowski,Robert, (1979), SCRIPT MODELS A Handbook For The
Media Writer
Mayeux, P.E. (1985), Writing For the Broadcast, Boston USA, Allyn and Bacon Inc pp163-164 ISBN 0-205-083545-9
New York,Communication Arts Books, Hasting House,pp ISBN 0-8038-6755-7,0-883867549pbk
Robert McLeish (2005), Radio Production, fifth Edition, Focal Press Linacre House
Jordan-Hill Oxford,
pp 264-5 ISBN 0-260-51972-8
Uyo, Adidi (1987), Mass Communication Media Classification and Characteristics;
New York, Civiletis International.
Uyo, Adidi (1989), Mass Media Messages In a Nutshell, New York, Civiletis
International.pp34--40 ISBN
Wutzel, A. and Acker, S.R. (1989) Television Production, New York, McGraw Hill
Book Company pp ISBN 0-307-1172121-2
Weeks 8: Features and commentary on medical and science issues
Objective:
The main objective of this lecture is to make student differentiate between features and
commentary and be able to write acceptable features and commentary both for broadcast and
print media about medical and science issues.
Description
First Hour.
Defining features and commentaries and stating similarities and differences
Second Hour.
Examples of leads: Question, anecdotes, etc.
Study Questions:
1. Examine two definitions of features from different authors
2. What are the values of features in medical and science journalism?
3. Appraise two definitions of commentaries from different authors
4. What are the values of commentary in medical and science journalism?
5. What do you think are the limitations of features and commentary to medical and science
journalism?
Reading List
Brooks, B.S,Kennedy,G.,Moen, D.R.,Ranly, D.(1988),News Reporting and Writing, New
York, St. Martin’s Press. Pp360-380 ISBN 0-313-00279-3
Harcup,T.,(2004),Journalism Principles and Practices. London,Sage Publications
(www.sagepublication.com) p141- 150 ISBN 13-978-0-7819-7498-7499-4(pbk). 13-978-0-78197498(hbk).
Itule, B. D.,Anderson, D.A.,(2008), News Writing and Reporting for Today’s Media,
International edition (7th ed),New York, McGraw-Hill p245-254…ISBN 978-007-127582-8 or
MHID 007-117582-7
Mayeux, P.E. (1985), Writing For the Broadcast, Boston USA, Allyn and Bacon Inc
pp163--164 ISBN 0-205-083545-9
Robert McLeish (2005), Radio Production, fifth Edition, Focal Press Linacre House
Jordan-Hill Oxford,
pp 264-5 ISBN 0-260-51972-8
Uyo, Adidi (1987), Mass Communication Media Classification and Characteristics;
New York, Civiletis International.
Uyo, Adidi (1989), Mass Media Messages In a Nutshell, New York, Civiletis
International.pp34--40 ISBN
Wutzel, A. and Acker, S.R. (1989) Television Production, New York, McGraw Hill
Book Company pp ISBN 0-307-1172121-2
Weeks 9: Medical and science journalism and society.
Objective:
The main objective is to let student appreciate and be able to connect medical and science
journalism to development.
Description
First Hour.
The roles and functions of medical and science journalist in society.
Second Hour
Medical and Science Journalism as development phenomenon.
Study Questions:
1. What do we mean by development?
2. Is development possible without science? Justify you position.
3. Evaluate recent scientific findings in the faculty of science in terms of development
priorities of the country.
4. Why do you think an environmental issue is a development issues.
5. Is development a quantitative or qualitative matter?
Reading List
Reading List
Weeks 10: Issues in Medical and Science Journalism
Objectives:
The main objective is to sensitize student to the peculiar ethical requirements of the practice of
medical and science journalism.
Description
First Hour
General ethical principles and issues in journalism.
Second Hour
Identifying and examining ethical “booby” trap in medical and science journalism.
Study questions.
1. Which of the ethical principles do you find most relevant to reporting medical and
science issues?
2. What steps will you to avoid ethical booby trap in medical and science reporting?
3. Make collections of what you consider unethical reporting of science and medical issues
in Nigeria?
4. Compare two ethical theories in the context of medical and science journalism.
5. Evaluate one of the issues you collected in 3 above.
Reading List
Brooks, B.S,Kennedy,G.,Moen, D.R.,Ranly, D.(1988),News Reporting and Writing, New
York, St. Martin’s Press. Pp460-487 ISBN 0-313-00279-3
Harcup,T.,(2004),Journalism Principles and Practices. London,Sage Publications
(www.sagepublication.com) pp151-157, ISBN 13-978-0-7819-7498-7499-4(pbk). 13-978-07819-7498(hbk).
Itule, B. D.,Anderson, D.A.,(2008), News Writing and Reporting for Today’s Media,
International edition (7th ed),New York, McGraw-Hill p455-481, ISBN 978-007-127582-8 or
MHID 007-117582-7
Weeks 11. Laws and regulations in medical and science journalism.
Objectives:The main objective is to create awareness in the students of potential legal traps in writing
medical and science issues.
Description
First Hour
General media laws with attention on libel, contempt of courts, copyright etc.
Second Hour.
Extensive discussion of cases of libel and other laws for illustration.
Study questions.
1. State types of libels relevant of medical and science journalism.
2. Search and examine one case of contempt of court peculiar to medical and science
reporting
3. What are the possible areas where copyright affect medical and science reporting?
4. Do a critique of libel cases you are familiar with?
5. Is law an hindrance to medical and science reporting in Nigeria?
Reading List
Brooks, B.S,Kennedy,G.,Moen, D.R.,Ranly, D.(1988),News Reporting and Writing, New
York, St. Martin’s Press. Pp441-459, ISBN 0-313-00279-3
Itule, B. D.,Anderson, D.A.,(2008), News Writing and Reporting for Today’s Media,
International edition (7th ed),New York, McGraw-Hill p427-451,ISBN 978-007-127582-8 or
MHID 007-117582-7
Harcup,T.,(2004),Journalism Principles and Practices. London,Sage Publications
(www.sagepublication.com) p151-154,ISBN 13-978-0-7819-7498-7499-4(pbk). 13-978-0-78197498(hbk).
Week 12: Field assignment
Objectives:
The main objective is to assess the level of skills of students in gathering facts and making
meaning out of medical and science issues.
Description
First Hour
Assignment: investigative and interpretative story.
Second Hour
Weeks 13 Field assignment
Objectives:
The main objective is to assess the level of skills of students in writing commentary on radio and
television.
Description
First Hour&.
Assignment: examine and provide analysis of medical or science issues with mechanized scripts.
Second Hour
Weeks 14
The main objective of this is to assess the level of skills of students in writing interesting medical
and science magazine programmes on radio or television.
Objectives:
First Hour.
Assignment:
Second Hour
Week 15: Revisions
Objectives:
Description
First Hour
Second Hour.
Revision Questions.
1. Why do you think medical and science journalism study is important?
2. Identify and discuss four medical and science jargon in a way that will be understood by
audience of mass media.
3. Compare two definitions each of medicine and science.
4. List and evaluate the sources of medical and science reporting.
5. How will your reporting of pharmacy different from nursing and why?
6. Describe the job of pharmacy in the medical service process
7. List and discuss 3 fields of science medical practice.
8. Evaluate the environment of medical practice in Nigeria.
9. How do you think animal can be of interest to medical and science reporter?
10. All journalism requires some level of skepticism but more so for medical and science
journalism. Why is this so?
11. Find out the state of facilities in an heath center closer to you and do a one page report on
it.
12. Apply the news value of proximity to select three medical stories.
13. Apply the news value of significance to select story on environment issues.
14. What are the most important science issues in your are now?List them.
State five goals of medical and science reporting
1. How will your reporting of pharmacy different from nursing and why?
2. Describe the job of pharmacy in the medical service process
3. List and discuss 3 fields of science medical practice.
4. Evaluate the environment of medical practice in Nigeria.
5. How do you think animal can be of interest to medical and science reporter?
Reading List
Brooks, B.S,Kennedy,G.,Moen, D.R.,Ranly, D3.(1988),News Reporting and
Writing, New York, St. Martin’s Press. PP …ISBN 0-313-00279-3
Harcup,T3.,(2004),Journalism Principles and Practices. London,Sage Publications
(www.sagepublication.com) P…ISBN 13-978-0-7819-7498-7499-4(pbk). 13-978-07819-7498(hbk).
Itule, B. D.,Anderson, D.A3.,(2008), News Writing and Reporting for Today’s
Media, International edition (7th ed),New York, McGraw-Hill p…ISBN 978-007127582-8 or MHID 007-117582-7
Lee, Roberts and Misiorowski,Robert, 3 (1979), SCRIPT MODELS A Handbook
For The Media Writer
Lee, Roberts and Misiorowski,Robert, 3 (1979), SCRIPT MODELS A Handbook
For The Media Writer
Mayeux, P.E3. (1985), Writing For the Broadcast, Boston USA, Allyn and Bacon
Inc pp163--164 ISBN 0-205-083545-9
Mayeux, P.E. (1985), Writing For the Broadcast, Boston USA, Allyn and Bacon Inc
pp163--164 ISBN 0-205-083545-9
Robert McLeish 3 (2005), Radio Production, fifth Edition, Focal Press Linacre
House Jordan-Hill Oxford,
pp 264-5 ISBN 0-260-51972-8
Uyo, Adidi3 (1987), Mass Communication Media Classification and
Characteristics; New York, Civiletis International.
.
Uyo, Adidi3 (1989), Mass Media Messages In a Nutshell, New York, Civiletis
International.pp34--40 ISBN
Wutzel, A. and Acker, S.R3. (1989) Television Production, New York, McGraw
Hill Book Company pp ISBN 0-307-1172121-2
Legend
1. Available in University Library
2. Available in Local Bookshop
3. Personal collections
4. Available Departmental library