Science and Sensibility · Writing (School Of The Arts)
We learned about various types of science writing, a history of the genre, different structural methods authors use when writing in the genre, as well as techniques for ideating on topics and then researching them.
I feel as though my writing has evolved be more intentional about structure and intent.
This course was a satisfying nuts and bolts exploration of science writing in the many different voices of award-winning authors who we read and analyze. Additionally, the course offers us the opportunity to meet some of these authors, who are able to define their methodology and help answer questions regarding the science writing process. I would absolutely recommend this course to any science or writing majors.
We learned about what science writing/ scientific writing actually is and how it is in conversation with other types of writing with emphasis on the importance of worldbuilding and characters along with the factual information that is being dispersed.
As someone who took this course with a biology-heavy background/familiarity with science, I learned that science can be communicated with profound impact in more ways than one. Science and its implications can be made accessible.
We learn different forms of Science Writing. What is science, and what isn't. Different creative ways of telling the science stories.
I even tell my friends who don't go here to stalk my prof, reach out to her, and send out the syllabus.
As an avid news-consumer who's undertaking a creative major dual-track undergrad, this course fired on all. cylinders for me. Professor Meehan Crist runs a tight ship, and there was an awful lot of reading and writing. Out of my four classes this fall semester, I think that Science & Sensibility was my most demanding. I also think it was my favorite class. Having access to Pulitzer-winning authors like Ed Yong, and Elizabeth Rush, was a fantastic bit of access that I wont soon forget. Thank you very much Professor Crist.
I would recommend this course to writers in any field, not just nonfiction or science writing. The strategies that we learned and readings we did were helpful and informative to all types of writing, and you will likely leave the course with a newfound appreciation for science and research based creative writing.
This class is excellent if you love to read first and foremost and otherwise very good if you prefer to write more than read.