Statistics 201 - Academic Writing: Writing in STEM

(Offered as ENGL 298 and STAT 201) This interdisciplinary Intensive Writing course investigates the role of writing in public discourse about STEM research, focusing on the way that the general public understands–or misunderstands–science and data. It teaches students to communicate technical information to a variety of audiences beyond academia. As such, this course will involve a community-engaged learning project related to science and communication. Assigned texts will include a range of sources (books, articles, podcasts, videos) from writing studies and a STEM discipline. As they read, listen to, and view materials, students will study the way sources balance rhetorical features (e.g., audience, purpose, context), with an eye on emulating the ways that published authors explain and analyze complicated material. Students can expect to hone their writing skills as well as their ability to use writing as a tool to build meaning in their work in STEM fields. Requires instructor consent. Limited to 24 students. Prerequisites: completion of an introductory statistics course (STAT 111, 135 or 136 or PSYC 122) and successful completion of a 200-level course in any STEM discipline. 

Spring semester. Lecturer Reardon and Professor Correia.

How to handle overenrollment: Students who have been recommended for Intensive Writing and who have not yet had an opportunity to take an Intensive Writing course will have first priority. Second year, third year, and fourth year students will have priority over first-year students.

Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: emphasis on written work, group work, community engagement.