Life on Mars - Or Maybe Not

This seminar looks at science in the popular media. We'll examine these from the perspective of both science and of journalism, in order to understand what compromises science writers are forced to make as they turn technical information into engaging, readable informative pieces the public will readily engage with--without "dumbing down" the science so much that it's misleading or inaccurate. In order to do so, the instructor will draw on his more than 30 years of experience as a science journalist, and also on the experiences of visiting journalists and scientists who will help us analyze case studies from a wide range of media outlets.