Science Writing: Syllabus
Reference Information for Spring 2009
James Collier
Office: 433 Shanks
Hours: 1-2 T,H and by appointment
(O) 231-8340; (H) Please refer to the abridged syllabus
jim.collier@vt.edu
AOL IM: CollierVT
Course Description
Writing in and about the natural and social sciences. Students will write documents such as abstracts, research proposals, and ethnographies, will analyze the development of disciplinary writing practices, and will study non-fiction science writing for general audiences.
Course Goals
• Outline the development of disciplinary writing strategies and identify how those developments shape, and are shaped by, disciplinary structures;
• Recognize normative conventions governing scientific writing and their influence on the organization, use, and distribution of scientific knowledge and information;
• Communicate specialist knowledge and information to non-specialist audiences;
• Study, critique and apply strategies used in science popularizations;
• Examine the role of science in public communication and debate.
The Story of the Course
Narrative Arc
Every course tells a story. The initial story I will tell speaks to the assumptions, goals and practices guiding the class. However, your experience of a course — particularly of what you want to learn — is more than the sum of these parts. I ask you to consider the class as more than a collection of atomized requirements and tasks. Rather, I want you to see how the class achieves meaning through the ways you learn. To tell the story of Science Writing, then, I would ask you to reflect on the ways that you best learn the concepts and practices the course addresses. In so doing, I ask that you look beyond the basic structure of the course to find what, and how, you want to learn.
I assume that you are deeply and uniquely interested in science and technology and in how we make meaning, knowledge and understanding through writing and communication. I understand you as possessing, and in the process of possessing, specialized knowledge and information. And just as you possess specialized knowledge, you are members of the lay public affected by other specialists, and institutions, possessing, holding and distributing information. In this course, I will treat you as engaged and creative specialists, lay persons and communicators.
To convey your knowledge to diverse audiences in unique settings necessitates that you learn the strategies of accomplished science communicators. As science, or specialist, communicators you will craft messages using rapidly changing, increasingly powerful, integrated, convenient media. While writing remains the undeniable focus of this course, you will have opportunities develop your speaking and visual design skills. Ultimately, this course will prepare you to communicate knowledge and information through various means to audiences of experts, professionals and laypersons.
Formal Writing Assignments
Science Writing is a survey course. As such, the course approaches the kinds of documents you will write as genres (e.g., the proposal, the research article). However, we will look beyond genres at the contexts —"bigger picture" — that influence, and are influenced by, the interaction of language, meaning, and culture. The course, then, is not simply about teaching you the mechanics of producing certain documents, rather to have you analyze and incorporate the ways in which creating meaning and understanding are the products of individual and collective effort.
Informal Assignments and Exercises
The informal assignments act as a kind of check or point of emphasis. I want to emphasize how to revise scientific prose, how to ask relevant questions on the readings, and how to collaborate in gathering resources for a shared project. However, I do not feel this work requires the same kinds of evaluation as more elaborated assignments.
Oral Presentations
Why oral presentations in a writing class? Why debates? First, and pragmatically, your future employers demand that speaking skills receive more attention. Second, and theoretically, a trend in which I am a participant is to examine writing as influencing, and being influenced by, a constellation of communications practices. One way to map this constellation is to study the history and culture of academic disciplines. Disciplines emphasize different communications practices and pass on their principles (usually informally) to students. For example, the technical fields (the natural and social sciences, engineering and business) approach communication differently from one another and differently from the humanities. Within disciplines the practice of writing, while considered a prerequisite to becoming a successful professional, holds greater or lesser prominence. Oral presentation abilities, visual design abilities, reading abilities, and abstract reasoning abilities among others, compete with writing as signature practices of a discipline and a profession. We will examine the place of various communication practices in fields and disciplines related to the natural and social sciences.
Of course, the occasion and need to speak clearly and concisely arises with frequency in classroom, laboratory, and professional settings. For the debates I have adapted the "Oxford-style" format to lend organization and focus to the presentation. The oral presentations reflect the kinds of formal and informal debates society currently holds regarding science and technology. I chose to have you investigate scientific controversies because they involve issues that have direct bearing on our collective future. And as much as these controversies turn on the current and future state of scientific knowledge, technological development, and moral reasoning, they turn on the ability of participants to effectively communicate with one another. These controversies are fascinating and complex and will add spice to the admittedly straightforward process of studying and producing science writing.
Reading
The reading requirements for the course are manageable — even, if I may dare say, reasonable. Certain days, however, demand a heavy reading load. All of you have developed strategies for dealing with the amount of reading required by courses. You have learned to skim, to read closely certain parts of a text, to review subheadings to get the sense of an argument - steps necessary for you to deal with the rising tide of text-based information you encounter now and will encounter in the future. In fact, many of you may completely abandon the convoluted prose of your textbooks to locate relevant formulas or illustrations. We will discuss reading strategies further in class. But with respect to the course requirements, let me offer a brief guide:
If you look at the class calendar you will see that I use three verbs in referring to preparation for a given class — 'read,' 'review,' 'refer,' and, occasionally,'consult.'Here, I am signaling an order of priority - what is designated to 'read' is of the greatest importance to that day's discussion; what is designated to 'review' is of less importance, and what is designated to 'consult' is helpful (especially with the writing assignments) but not required. Of course, if you closely read all that is assigned you will take away more from the course. But if you must make choices you can prioritize, and adopt reading strategies, according to the above guide.
Wiki
I use a wiki entitled Science Controversies to supplement our web site. I will ask you to use the wiki in two primary ways: 1) To post your questions on the readings; 2) To post your wiki article assignment. Many of you are new to wiki writing — although you are all familiar with Wikipedia. I chose to use a wiki because it allows for mass collaboration and because it's public.
Instant Messenger
If you wish to chat, or desire a quick answer to a question, "CollierVT" is my ID.
Tips
In designing a course I consider how I would take it — aside from simply fulfilling requirements. Keeping in mind that we possess idiosyncratic learning styles, let me offer a few tips.
Know What You Want: At the beginning of the semester honestly assess your strengths and weakness as a scientific communicator, generally, and a writer, specifically. The course assignments are flexible enough to allow you work on what you need and what you find stimulating. Still, if you feel the course does not adequately address your personal and professional concerns, let me know. The assignments can be tailored to your needs and we can work together on any specific areas of writing and scientific communication you desire.
Keep Perspective: Consider the relative value of assignments. Do not spend an inordinate amount of time on the informal assignments. Remember that formal writing assignments can be revised until the last day of the semester. Get the most you can out of the course but keep your workload reasonable. The best advice I can give is to begin early on formal writing assignments, meet deadlines, and start the semester strong by making sure you take care of informal assignments requirements. If you get informal writing out of the way you will have more time at the end of the semester when time is of the essence.
Meet Teams: There is a collaborative component to the course. I take obligations to groups quite seriously and assume you will as well. I do not want any one finishing this course feeling that they shouldered an unfair burden in collaborative work. Since you, as professionals, will work collaboratively on the vast majority of projects, now is the time to develop good habits working with groups.
Consult With Me: I am available to you well beyond office hours. I keep regular hours in my office, but if you need me do not hesitate to call or e-mail to set up a time to meet. Also, you can contact me through AOL Instant Messenger. A brief personal point: I like being on-line — perhaps too much. To discipline myself and my writing life I have decided not to be on-line (as much) at home. Thus, for an immediate response to a query after 5 p.m. call me at home. I do answer e-mail promptly; still, if you send a message after 5 p.m. you will get a response from me the next morning.
Have Fun: I know "fun" is not the first (or second) notion to leap to mind when you think of science writing. However, this class may be one of the last opportunities you have to creatively and rigorously work on your writing and communication skills before your career begins in earnest. Try to work beyond the common wisdom and expectations you have developed about academic courses. A number of fascinating issues lie at the heart of science communication — the nature of language, meaning and reference; the role of persuasion, moral reasoning and public deliberation; and the relationship of experts, professionals and the lay public in making decisions about science, technology and society. These issues, I believe, are fun insofar as they have direct bearing on our shared well-being. The joy of science writing is in the challenge, in the puzzlement, and in the work, of making meaning.
If you have any questions at any time, please let me know.
A Quick Word
"Not everyone wants to write for a general audience and not everyone can do it well. But clearly, there is a place in the academy for those who can. From a college's point of view, it is important to disseminate faculty research broadly. Many grantmaking agencies depend to a degree on public support for research, which means that telling the public about your professors' useful research makes it more likely that your institution will get grants. Public support increases legislators' enthusiasm for public institutions, too.
For the individual scholar, translating academic jargon into language comprehensible to those beyond your immediate field is a humbling experience. It makes you realize how far your work is from real life, and how difficult it is to convince people that what you are doing is interesting and worthwhile. Using accessible language also makes academe a more user-friendly place, allowing professors and students from other fields to understand what is going on in unfamiliar disciplines
If we take an even broader perspective, we see that as scholars, we also owe an explanation - one that just about anyone can understand - to a wide audience. If the purpose of academic knowledge is to contribute to human knowledge, presumably for the greater good, then that research should be accessible to everyone.
We live in a culture of information. Magazines, books television, radio, the Internet. Words, stories, essays, sound bites. As [scholars] we are in the business of producing much of that information. Explaining what we have learned to the public should be a natural part of our job." — Meredith E. Small "Owing a Written Explanation to the Widest Possible Audience," The Chronicle of Higher Education, 17 November 2000, B5.
Assignments
Writing Assignments and Presentations
• Ethnography: 10%
• Proposal: 10%
• Scientific Article: 10%
• Popular Science: 10%
• Debates: 10%
• Article for Controversies Project: 25%
• Informal Assignments: 15%
• Class Presence: -, ,+
Collaborative Assignments
• Debates: 5%
• Scientific Controversies Project: 5%
Explanation of Collaborative Grades
I will assign two grades for the Debate and the Scientific Controversies Project assignments. For Debates, 10% of a student's final course grade will be based on individual performance, 5% of a student's final course grade will be based on group performance. For the Scientific Controversies Project, 25% of a student's final course grade will be based on individual performance, 5% of a student's final course grade will be based on group performance.
Peer Review
Effective peer review is quite important in drafting formal documents. I require that peer reviews, based on outlines reviewed in class (and available on the web links to respective assignments) be turned in with formal assignments. Your participation in providing, and obtaining, thoughtful peer reviews will be figured into the participation grade.
To provide you with and a complete and accurate reading of your assignment on my part, I ask that you supply a cover memo with each formal assignment.
I use the term "informal" in referring to these assignments to note that your grade (15% of the final grade) is solely determined by the number of assignments you complete. You will not have the opportunity to revise these assignments or turn them in late. The requirements for the informal assignments are as follows:
1. I will ask you to put together an annotated bibliography. The annotated bibliography will be due when I meet with groups.
2. I will ask you to develop questions on assigned readings. I will ask you to bring your questions to class and then post them to a forum on the wiki. There are five question sets. The table below breaks down how grades are determined based on the number completed.
3. I will ask you to perform revision exercises. There are four revision exercises. You may complete all of the exercises if you so choose, but the table below breaks down how grades are determined based on the number completed.
I will evaluate the informal assignments according to the following criteria:
• Annotated Bibliography AND 5 Question Sets AND 4 OR 3 Revision Exercises: A
• Annotated Bibliography AND 5 Question Sets AND 2 OR 1 Revision Exercises: A-
• Annotated Bibliography AND 4 Question Sets AND 4 OR 3 Revision Exercises: B+
• Annotated Bibliography AND 4 Question Sets AND 2 Revision Exercises: B
• Annotated Bibliography AND 4 Question Sets AND 1 Revision Exercise: B-
• Annotated Bibliography AND 3 Question Sets AND 4 OR 3 Revision Exercises: C+
• Annotated Bibliography AND 3 Question Sets AND 2 Revision Exercises: C
• Annotated Bibliography AND 3 Question Sets AND 1 Revision Exercise: C-
• Annotated Bibliography AND 2 Question Sets AND 4 OR 3 Revision Exercises: D+
• Annotated Bibliography AND 2 Question Sets AND 2 Revision Exercises: D
• Annotated Bibliography AND 2 Question Sets AND 1 Revision Exercise: D-
• No Annotated Bibliography AND ANY NUMBER of Question Sets OR Revision Exercises: F
"Eighty percent of success is showing up." — Woody Allen
Woody Allen's words speak to a simple truth: A strong correlation exists between attending class (or anything else for that matter) and performing well. I expect and need you in class: I need your energy, your questions, and your insights. To that end, I will monitor your attendance. I will consider attendance, as well as activities such as participation in class discussions, peer reviews and group coordination and cooperation, in the following way.
At the end of the semester, in determining final course grades, I will "help" students who have fully participated in the course. For example, a 'B+' will become an 'A-'. Students who participate roughly half the time, I will neither "hurt" nor "help." But students who neglect their obligations either entirely, or a great majority of the time, will not receive the benefit of the doubt. For example, a 'B' will become a 'B-'. If you have ANY questions about your standing in this area, I encourage you to consult me.
For university grading criteria, please consult "Grades, Grade Points, and Credit Hours" in the Undergraduate Course Catalog.
I grade using a 100-point scale. For assignments receiving letter grades, the following conversion applies:
A = 100
A- = 92
B+ = 88
B = 85
B- = 82
C+ = 78
C = 75
C- = 72
D+ = 68
D = 65
D- = 62
F = 50
For final grades, the following scale applies:
A = 93.5-100
A- = 90-93.49
B+ = 86.5 - 89.9
B = 83.5-86.49
B- = 80-83.49
C+ = 76.5 - 79.9
C = 73.5-76.49
C- = 70-73.49
D+ = 66.5 - 69.9
D = 63.5-66.49
D- = 60-63.49
F = Below 60
Unlike essay writing, science writing is defined by a set of standards often rendered as document templates. Faithfully following prescriptions for documents is often portrayed as the exclusive goal of science writing. It is not. However, document templates will help you organize your ideas by offering a working outline. These templates also provide for transitions among ideas. As you will see in the following grading criteria, emphasis is placed on the writer clearly defining the audience, development, purpose and presentation of each document.
A paper
The overall presentation shows a high level of understanding and perspective. Well-conceived and descriptive. A clear understanding of the audience. The work's purpose and objectives are clearly and convincingly stated. Concise background material clearly sets the context, frames, and introduces the subject. Technical content themes are logically stated and organized and support the overall objective. Data and descriptions are objectively stated and separated from interpretations Content is detailed and suggestive. Conclusions are persuasive and well-supported by the data. The prose is easy to read. Exhibits a defined sense of unity and purpose. Includes topic, paragraph, and sentence transitions, and contains no major and few minor grammatical or technical errors. Graphics, when used, are highly informative, well-designed, and easy to interpret. The document template is used flawlessly.
A- Generally means you meet all criteria for an 'A' except presentation and problems with one or two criteria. Audience and purpose may be clear, for instance, but you failed to develop an idea. For example, a proposal that addresses the criteria provided in an RFP (Request For Proposal) but fails to develop a section pertaining to the budget.
B paper
Paper presents content clearly and displays a firm grasp of the material but without as much focus and perspective as an 'A' paper. Successful effort is evident throughout the paper. Slight inconsistencies in identifying audience. The work's purpose and technical objectives may be somewhat ill-defined. Background material sets the context, frames, and introduces the subject. While well-written and adequately detailed, some sections may lack complete development and coherence. Unevenness in presentation and content. No major grammatical errors; some minor grammatical errors but none that disrupt an easy reading of the paper. Graphics are informative, intelligible and support the content of the paper. The document template used may be missing a minor element.
B+ Exceeds the criteria for a 'B' in one or more areas. For example, the purpose of the paper may possess greater clarity. Audience is clearly identified and the contexts governing the explanation and interpretation of the information are well-detailed. Greater consistency in execution than a 'B'; better paragraph development and coherence among sentences for example.
B- A lack of connection among, for example, audience and purpose. A number of presentation errors affect the meaning of the sentences or structure of the text. A somewhat stronger relationship among the elements of the paper -- audience, purpose, content, style -- than a "C" paper. Still, the paper lacks full development of ideas and demonstrates some problems weaving together a complete understanding of the content with a clearly identified audience, purpose, and context.
C paper
Displays a reasonable grasp of the technical content but little original thought. The purpose of the work is inconsistently presented. The audience cannot be clearly identified. While understandable, the purpose and objective are not presented in relationship to the context set in the opening. Treatment of the topic is general. Lapses exist in coherence, organization, and development. Contains errors in technical content. Technical content marginally supports the conclusion. Some major grammatical errors and frequent minor grammatical errors. The paper is difficult to read and lack flow. Graphics do not support content objectives. The document template used may be missing a major element; a required section of a proposal for example.
C+ Exceeds the criteria for a 'C' in one or more areas. Perhaps more imagination in thought and explanation. Greater consistency in determining audience, purpose and objective. Fewer errors in technical content and somewhat greater coherence in the presentation and the conclusion. Fewer grammatical and cosmetic errors. An easier read than the 'C' paper.
C- The elements of the paper -- audience, purpose, content, style -- are unclear and appear unrelated. For example, a final report about a weapons controversy may deal with a number of different systems in only a cursory way. No explanations are given about how the topics of the paper lead to one another. Presentation errors suggest no revision.
D (of any variety) or F paper
I will ask you revise 'D' or 'F' papers until you receive, minimally, a 'C-'. You have the choice of whether or not to revise. If you choose not to revise, you will receive a failing grade.
You may revise any formal writing assignment as many times as you wish during the semester. I will average the grade on the revision(s) with the original grade. I will take revisions until the final week of the semester.
Required:
Scott L. Montgomery. The Chicago Guide to Communicating Science. University Of Chicago Press, 2003. ISBN-10: 0226534847
Sylvia Nasar and Jesse Cohen (eds.) The Best American Science Writing 2008. Harper Perennial, 2008. ISBN-10: 0061340413
Thomas A Easton (editor) Taking Sides: Clashing Views in Science, Technology, and Society. 8th edition. McGraw-Hill/Dushkin, 2008. ISBN-10: 0073515353
Sharon M. Friedman, Sharon Dunwoody and Carol L. Rogers (eds.) Communicating Uncertainty: Media Coverage of New and Controversial Science. Lawrence Erlbaum, 1999. ISBN-10: 0805827285
This course follows university policies pertaining to academic honesty and plagiarism. If you any have questions please ask me, or consult the Undergraduate Honor System web site.
