This course guides students toward writing short, pithy features and reports on issues of scientific controversy, introducing students to the technical basics of short form narrative, while also taking a hard look at a number of scientific issues. Also a refresher unit on statistics and one on the politics of scientific journals. The focus will be on learning to think, report, research and write as a journalist while at the same time building a sound understanding of some of the most critical issues of our day. Students will be expected to produce four pieces of writing- ranging from brief expository pieces to a fully formed profile.