Italian

Learning outcomes
Storytelling is one of the most effective ways to communicate, pass down and disseminate values and knowledge. Therefore, the course aims at providing students with theoretical and practical skills useful for learning how narrative methodologies can be applied to different specialized knowledge in order to foster adequate and possibly correct public communication. In particular, the course provides a summary overview of narrative styles and methods as applied to history, science, technology, and environmental issues. Various areas and styles of science storytelling are then explored, from those in journalism and publishing industry to those in museums and mass media.
Expected learning outcomes include:
- knowledge and ability to critically analyze topics covered in class and in reference books;
- ability to critically analyze different types of media sources;
- ability to translate events, notions and terms of specific forms of knowledge into narrative form;
- acquisition of skills useful for the profession of science journalist/writer.

Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites.

Course contents
The course is divided into two complementary parts: a theoretical part (about 24 hours) and a practical part (about 24 hours).

The theoretical part mainly covers the following topics:
- introductory aspects of the history of science communication;
- what is the scientific imaginary;
- the scientific imaginary in mass culture and its role in the social representation of science;
- stories of science in the media and magazines - science and public opinion;
- how urban legends and fake news about science, technology and the environment are born, develop and spread (analysis of some well-known and emblematic case studies);
- the dangers of pseudoscience;
- sources, methods and styles of mass and non-specialist science communication;
- science/environmental journalism;
- science/nature writing.

The practical part consists of individual and group activities aimed at composing different types of science communication papers (investigative reports, guided article writing, short essays, science narrative papers).

Teaching methods
Teaching objectives are achieved through lectures (about 24 hours) and practical exercises using a PC workstation and teaching materials provided by the lecturer (about 24 hours). Lectures may also take place in seminar form to encourage critical analysis and discussion among students.

Methods and criteria of evaluation
The exam consists of an oral interview, which aims to assess knowledge of the main topics discussed during the course and included in the reference books. The interview includes at least one question on each reference book and at least one question on the teaching materials uploaded on the e-learning platform. The final grade (out of thirty) is formulated on the basis of:
- accuracy of answers (65%),
- language skills and argumentative ability (20%),
- critical analysis skills (15%).

More information
The lecturer receives by appointment, which can be arranged by sending an e-mail to: a.candela@uninsubria.it. Any requests for more detailed explanations of the topics covered in the lectures and reference books can also be made at the end of each lecture.