FYSM 104 - Fact or Fiction:Science & Technology in our Popular Press

Institution:

Trinity College

Subject:

Description:

Our seminar will examine the rapidly expanding field of science and technology, how it impacts and changes our daily lives, but above all the information we receive about it from public news sources. The popular press is quick to extol the virtues of some "new and exciting" advance in the understanding of our natural world, especially if the innovation deals with components that we do not easily understand but could have an impact on our lives or the lives of loved ones. Yet within a day or two, the hubbub disappears from the news. Why is that Did the initial report overextend the true meaning of the innovation Was the report accurate Will the advance truly "change our lives" What is it about the author's presentation that caught our attention What can we learn from the article and what should we "unlearn" Our primary "text" for this course will be the daily New York Times with particular attention paid to the Tuesday science supplement. Students will be expected to choose science and technology related articles, research the issues presented, write "briefs" on the subject, comment on the completeness of coverage, the accuracy of the material and their understanding of just what the author of the article is attempting to say. Summary presentations in class will be followed by discussion dealing with the points outlined above. In addition to the daily assignments, science writers from a number of area newspapers will speak to our group and give us their perspective on science and technology coverage in our public media. The final quarter of the course will consist of a debate between pairs of students on topics chosen by them. One student will defend a pro or supportive position, the other a con position. Judges will be the remaining students. 1.00 units, Seminar

Credits:

1.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.Trincoll.edu

Phone Number:

(860) 297-2000

Regional Accreditation:

New England Association of Schools and Colleges

Calendar System:

Semester

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