Looking for a course for this upcoming Spring 2019 semester that explores the role of media in society? This course offers a critical look at the top instances of “science denial” to make news in the last two decades, emphasizing four case studies: climate change, vaccines, GMOs, and evolution. It will take a critical look at the term ”science denial,” who it serves, and what happens when it is used as a frame for media coverage of scientific issues and developments. Students in the course can expect to read media coverage of major science stories alongside scientific and academic studies. They will spend class time comparing the two to see how scientific and media industry norms interact to shape public understanding of science. Students in the course will work on a series of interdisciplinary group projects that will combine journalistic reporting with scientific literature review to produce a new genealogy of contemporary science denialism.

Course Info

Spring 2019
Graduate School of Journalism
J226, Section 1 | 3 units

Thursdays 9am – 12pm
106 North Gate Hall
Course Number 29503; Fieldwork Section 29504
Instructor: Prof. Elena Conis

This course is offered through the Joint Graduate Program in Journalism and Public Health. Please email Professor Elena Conis at econis@berkeley.edu with any questions.