Rhetoric, Writing, and Public Discourse 225: Communication in Science

Grounded in rhetoric of science scholarship, this course introduces students to both the theory and practice of science communication. Areas of focus will include the role of persuasion within the discourses of science, the rhetorical dynamics of science controversies related to matters of public importance, and effective practices for communicating technical material to general audiences. Students will be given theoretical tools to engage in constructive critical analyses of science communication, and practical tools to engage in the production of rhetorically-informed science communication. Course assignments will include essays and a practical project involving the translation of a matter of scientific complexity for a general audience.