Science JournalismPart IILecture 5Dr. Jessica Laccetti

Outline Homework Review Science Journalism Activity

Homework

Homework Review Split the class in half Left side, in small groups, reviews:

The Loom Right side, in small groups, reviews:

NeuroTribes

Be ready to share your findings on: Author objectivity “truthiness” Scientific accuracy Academic merit (peer review, citations etc) Discussion (comments, tweets, likes)

Susan Hockfield

science journalism “is now, and in the decades ahead, absolutely indispensable.”

5:46

Tweet @JessL: 1 new thing you have learnt from the video

Point of View/ What’s Your Angle?

Every story needs a "news angle" or perspective. Even though you are reporting on science, there is no truly "objective" journalistic view

Perspective close to a single person, e.g. a patient or a victim;

high above a scene, reporting from a distance, independent and little involved;

close to an organisation that offers information, such as an NGO or a company;

close to the scientific community;

close to the audience, examining problems in their daily life

Activity: In Groups of 5-6 Choose one article/blog post from The Loom (

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/) & one from NeuroTribes (http://blogs.plos.org/neurotribes/)

Compare the writing perspectives: what view does each blogger take? Does their view hamper the “objectivity” of the story? How or why?

Post your responses as a comment on the class blog (be sure to list all group members)

Final Thoughts

“Some journalists are still stuck in the model: We give you journalism, that’s the way it is. In

this world, where we don’t know if there’s going to be a pandemic, or where the next terrorist attack will be, or how bad global

warming is going to be, if I’m not engaged in a two-way street with scientifically engaged

readers, I’m not responsible.”

Andrew Revkin

Friday = Online ClassBy the end of class students must: Complete the social media survey on the Module 2

blog post Set up a blog using Blogger and write an introductory

post about you and your field of study and what role communication plays in your work (dissemination of results, linking with fellow researchers, etc.…)

In a comment on the Module 2 blog post, leave a link to your newly started blog (absolutely necessary so the professor and TAs can grade your work)

Note: you require a personal blog for your E-Portfolio. Note: follow ALL e-portfolio guidelines (images, links

and proper citations)