Course Description

Students will analyze the ways that scientists’ and health professionals’ messages must change with the audiences they address, whether scientific, lay, or government. Students will explore topics of interest in a science or health field, and they will communicate about that topic through different writing formats and strategies.

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Athena Title

Science and Health Writing

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Non-Traditional Format

This version of the course will be taught as writing intensive, which means that the course will include substantial and ongoing writing assignments that a) relate clearly to course learning; b) teach the communication values of a discipline—for example, its practices of argument, evidence, credibility, and format; and c) prepare students for further writing in their academic work, in graduate school, and in professional life. The written assignments will result in a significant and diverse body of written work (the equivalent of 6000 words or 25 pages) and the instructor (and/or the teaching assistant assigned to the course) will be closely involved in student writing, providing opportunities for feedback and substantive revision.

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Semester Course Offered

Offered fall and spring

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Grading System

A - F (Traditional)

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Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will apply public health and communication theories to tailor messages for particular science and health rhetorical situations.
• Students will assess and synthesize relevant published and unpublished sources of information as evidence for message.
• Students will create clear and persuasive textual, visual, and oral communications founded in rhetorical theory.
• Students will collaborate in groups to create an intervention plan to respond to a particular public health issue.

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Topical Outline

• - Conduct interviews with researchers, practitioners, patients - Engage with generative AI though strategies and practice - Create essays that bring together a variety of sources (peer reviewed articles, reputable websites such as the WHO, interviews, etc.) to communicate the importance of an area of healthcare or scientific research - Create visual communications - Collaborate on a project to identify a community need and create an intervention using communication and public health theories

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Institutional Competencies

Communication

The ability to effectively develop, express, and exchange ideas in written, oral, or visual form.

Critical Thinking

The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.

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