INQ-300 | Science Reporting

Full Title: Science Reporting: Getting the rest of the story

Topic Description:

From the announcement of a new cancer drug to arguments for and against genetically modified foods, the news is full of stories about science. How can the science in these news stories be protected from cultural, political and financial pressures? How can reporters compensate for readers' lack of interest or scientific background without sensationalizing their stories? As science plays an increasingly large role in our modern lives, we need to develop ways for scientific information to be conveyed accurately to the public by the media. In this course we will examine the problems with how science is presented in the news, and work toward a solution to a specific aspect of these problems within the context of a related news story.

Counts as Global? No

Topic Approved: March 2013