General DescriptionThe Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) division seeks non-tenure track adjunct faculty to teach the online science writing courses: 491.658 - Techniques of Science-Medical Writing; 491.697 - Literature of Science; 491.680 - Writing the Tech Story Workshop; 491.750 - Contemporary Science-Medical Writing: Creative and Professional Forms; 491.719 - Technology Tools, Multimedia and Digital Publications for Science Writers; and 491.673 - Science-Medical Writing Workshop in the MA in Science Writing Program. Opportunities to teach these already-developed courses will begin in Summer 2020. The MA in Science Writing Program prepares students for careers with popular science magazines, research agencies, universities, and other outlets that communicate science widely. Of particular interest are candidates who have experience engaging students from diverse backgrounds. Course Descriptions 491.658 - Techniques of Science-Medical Writing A core course that develops the reporting, creative and explanatory skills demonstrated by the best science-medical writers. The course features writing assignments and exercises in journalistic and literary writing, plus interviewing, ethics and the use of scientific journals and databases.
491.697 - Literature of Science In this reading elective, students analyze current and classic books, magazine articles, and newspaper series to discover how the best science, medical, nature, and environmental writers create compelling, entertaining, factual literature. Craft topics include structure, pace, sources, content, explanatory writing, and clear, lyrical language. 491.680 - Writing the Tech Story Workshop This workshop course explores the reporting and writing techniques used to produce compelling stories about technology, its inventors, and its consumers. Students first analyze outstanding examples of technology writing on a range of subjects, forms, and styles, from hard news to creative nonfiction. They then submit their own writing about technology for standard workshop discussion. Special topics include making technology interesting to the non-geek and avoiding a tendency to sound promotional about consumer goods. 491.750 - Contemporary Science-Medical Writing: Creative and Professional Forms This core course provides a broad foundation in the diverse forms and venues encountered in contemporary science writing careers. Students learn elements of classic forms, such as essay, profile, news article, and op-ed, and they explore magazines, institutional publications, literary journals, blogs, speeches, and even museum exhibit text. The course covers the differing goals of various forms and how they might be used in multimedia, social networks, and other digital communication. 491.719 - Technology Tools, Multimedia and Digital Publications for Science Writers An elective course that explores the tools and theories of multimedia storytelling, with examples from cutting-edge digital media, guest lectures by science communicators, and a lot of hands-on practice. Students critique pieces from the real world to learn how multimedia is being used today. They become familiar with tools to create stories using photos, illustrations, audio, video, animation, and data visualization, and they learn about platforms where this content can find an audience. 491.673 - Science-Medical Writing Workshop In a writing workshop, students receive professional guidance in translating complex scientific, medical, or technological knowledge and research into graceful, lucid prose. Students submit individual essays or articles, or parts of a larger work in progress. Writing submissions are critiqued by peers as well as by the instructor, then revised. |
