Science and Agricultural Journalism Featured Courses
Sci_Ag_J 1160
Introduction to Agricultural and Environmental Journalism (3 credit hours)
This class is a beginning reporting class. Students learn to write news and feature stories using correct journalistic style. Speakers from various areas of the profession share their knowledge, experiences and tips for success throughout the semester. Students in this class report for cafnrcornerpost.com, an online publication, and gain experience finding sources, conducting interviews, and creating multimedia projects.
Sci_Ag_J 3240
Communicating on the Web (3 credit hours)
Learn how to write effective web content by gaining an understanding of how people really read and use websites. Students also learn fundamental design principles, how to shoot effective photographs, and how to create effective banners and logos and optimize images for the web. This is a hands-on class where students develop two websites, one personal site and a site for a client. Students are responsible for site design and content.
Sci_Ag_J 4301, Topics
Will Write for Food (and Wine) (3 credit hours)
This class focuses on food and wine writing in current U.S. culture. Shirtsleeves are rolled up and elbows are on the table as you find your place in this rich, diverse field of work. You will shape your pieces into sharp focus and make them fresher with input from fellow student critiques. You will generate new material that will answer the burning question, “Why are you telling me this?” with work that is situated within a clearly defined wider culture. Come ready to create culinary narrative that can, as Kevin Kerrane says in the Art of Fact, “make facts dance,” and actively seek publishing your finished work.
Sci_Ag_J 4301 Topics
Current Issues in Science Journalism (3 credit hours)
An advanced course in the theory and practice of science journalism focusing on learning and writing about the interplay of one or more current issues of concern to journalists, scientists and society. Depending on the semester, these issues may range from energy technology and policy, to climate change, to medical and agricultural biotechnology, to the biodiversity crisis and other issues concerning the integrity and productivity of the biological and physical worlds. Includes short field trips. Topics offered include:
Covering Energy and Climate Change
From Stem Cells to StarLink: Writing about Agricultural and Medical Biotechnology
Sci_Ag_J 4414
Field Reporting on the Food System and Environment (3 credit hours)
Focus on professional-level field reporting and story telling on the scientific, economic, political, environmental, social and ethical dimensions of the food system and the environment. Includes intensive three-day field trip over a weekend in September or October. All field trip expenses paid by a gift from Farm Journal.
Journ 4650/History 2004
Writing About Nature and Society in the Developing World (6 credit hours)
A winter intersession study abroad program focusing on international reporting on the environment, agriculture and natural resources. During the two-week study abroad portion of the course, students will discover and write about the intersections of nature and society in the developing world. In addition to encountering a new culture, students will learn how to find stories and sources; understand some of the complexities of rural areas in a developing country; and report and produce stories from farms, forests and biological and agricultural research stations. Classes once a week in the evening the last four weeks of the fall semester and first four weeks of the spring semester.