Scientific Journalism

Presentation

The Science Journalism Curricular Unit aims to prepare students for the journalistic coverage of science and technology. Science, understood as a source of knowledge and understanding of the world with strong implications for economic development and the well-being of societies, is an important element in promoting the quality of decisions in public and individual life. The discipline of science journalism seeks to provide theoretical and practical tools for future journalists or communication technicians to deal with science and technology in the various contexts in which they operate, namely in the production of journalistic texts that are simultaneously appealing, informative and enlightening.

Part of this Programme

Communication and Journalism

Level of Qualification|Semesters|ECTS

| Semestral | 4

Year | Type of course unit | Language

3 |Mandatory |Português

Code

ULHT449-5855

Recommended complementary curricular units

Redação Jornalística; Géneros Jornalísticos.

Prerequisites and co-requisites

n/a

Professional Internship

Não

Syllabus

1. CONCEPTS AND DEFINITIONS
- Dissemination/dissemination/of science and the role of science journalism (JC).
- News from and with science
- JC's history
- Scientific production
- Scientific policies
- Science audiences
2. SCIENCE JOURNALISM
- Newsworthiness criteria
- Journalistic/scientific fact
- Scientific/journalistic language
- The role of the journalist/scientist
- Representation of science in the media
3. THE METHODS
- The scientific method
- The journalistic “method”
- Objectivity and truth in science and journalism
- Scientific/journalistic ethics
4. JOURNALISM-SCIENCE INTERACTION
- JC sources: from press offices and scientists to digital sources
- Journalist-scientist interaction
- Uncertainty and scientific controversy
Practice Component
5. NEWS CONSTRUCTION
- From the event to the news: Collection and processing of information
- Contextualization of scientific information
6. CONCEPTS IN SCIENCE
- Basic notions
- Sources of scientific research

Objectives

- Knowledge of the systems of rules, values ¿¿and practices of science and journalism and the ways of articulating the two fields in today's society.
- Knowledge of sources and research methods in the journalistic treatment of science subjects.
- Definition of criteria for collecting and processing scientific information with a view to becoming news.
- Understanding the fundamental concepts and languages ¿¿of each science.
- Use of statistical and epidemiological data.

Teaching methodologies and assessment

Theoretical classes are filled with the exposition of the subjects defined in the content program, followed by discussion and debate with the students.

- Practical classes are dedicated to:
. Science news writing;
. Search and selection of scientific information in papers, research centers websites,

scientific journals, news agencies, etc., with a view to building news; . Preparation of a report work for evaluation.

1. Science news (1500 characters). (20%)
2. Individual work to prepare a report on science (7000 characters) (total 50%), divided into two stages:
a) Presentation (written and oral) of the report project and the structure of the text to be written (10%)
b) Report (40%)
2 - Frequency (30%)

References

COSTA,B. Cristina Palma Conceição, Patrícia Ávila (2007), “Cultura Científica e Modos de relação com a Ciência”, em Costa, António Firmino da, Fernando Luís Machado, Patrícia Ávila (orgs), Sociedade e Conhecimento, Oeiras, Celta Editora.

COUTINHO,A. Ana Godinho, Sofia Jorge Araújo e Mónica Bettencourt-Dias (2004), “Comunicar Ciência em Portugal: Uma avaliação das perspectivas para o estabelecimento de formas de diálogo entre cientistas e o público”, Comunicação e Sociedade, 6.

GRANADO, A, José Vítor Malheiros (2015), Cultura científica em Portugal:Ferramentas para perceber o mundo e aprender a mudá-lo, Lisboa, Fundação Francisco Manuel dos Santos.

Meditsch, E (1989), Método científico e método jornalístico, Intercom 60 – Revista Brasileira de Comunicação, São Paulo, ano XII, 60, 55-61.

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