Wikipedia:Wiki Ed/Boston University/Public Writing (Fall 2021)

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BU has a long tradition of connecting what goes on in our classrooms, labs, and libraries to some of the most pressing concerns in the wider world beyond. This class will prepare you to do just that. You will learn about the growing call for scholars to communicate with the public and, through course readings and regular short writing exercises, study and practice the genres that academic researchers and other serious thinkers use to shape public discourse. You will also have the opportunity to explore the immediate relevance of an academic research project you are passionate about and “translate” it to reach a public audience. You will read and write in several public genres (Wikipedia entry, multimedia presentation, commentary article), workshop drafts, incorporate digital elements, and pitch a story. We will consider: How are the scholarly and the public complementary? Why does your area of growing academic expertise matter to the public? How can you use different modes of communication to reach diverse audiences?

The Wikipedia article is a key component in students' exploration of a single research topic through several genres over the course of the semester. As they become experts in their topics, they'll be working to bring their expertise to the public in different ways: through the NPOV in Wikipedia and persuasively in the commentary piece.