Science Writing and New Media: Perspectives on Medicine and Public Health
MIT's Comparative Media Studies/Writing program offers this course on how physicians and health practitioners communicate their work, both to professional peers and to lay audiences. Students read and analyze narrative essays, case studies, and public health writing by doctors and clinicians, examining how technical medical knowledge gets translated into accessible prose. The syllabus covers the range of forms health practitioners use, from patient education materials to personal essays exploring ethical and emotional dimensions of clinical practice. Coursework includes writing assignments modeled on these forms, giving students practice producing their own science writing for both specialist and general readers. Materials are available through MIT OpenCourseWare at no cost, including readings lists and assignment prompts, though no certificate is offered. The course suits anyone interested in medical writing, science communication, or the rhetorical challenges of explaining complex health information to the public.