COMM 397: Special Topics in Production
COMM 397-001: Environmental Storytelling
(Fall 2026)
04:30 PM to 07:10 PM W
David J. King Hall 1011B
Section Information for Fall 2026
COMM 397 — Special Topics: Environmental Storytelling
Storytellers wanted. Your beat: sustainability, climate change, and the ideas shaping our rapidly changing planet. We are living in the Anthropocene—a geologic age defined by human influence. In this course, you will produce stories that connect science, society, and natural systems—work that informs, explains, and inspires. Strong storytelling in this space requires rigor (research, data, accuracy) and creativity. Expect both. Storytelling is iterative, collaborative, and driven by original ideas.
Course Objectives:
- Build fluency in sustainability, climate change, and emerging solutions
- Develop multimedia storytelling skills that translate complex science into engaging narratives
- Produce work that is accurate, compelling, and audience-centered
Learning Outcomes:
- Explain key environmental challenges and solution pathways
- Apply journalistic and creative storytelling techniques to science-based topics
- Evaluate effective storytelling, including the role of character, data, and narrative structure
- Pitch, research, and develop original story ideas
- Produce and publish multimedia content across video, writing, and digital platforms
Course Information from the University Catalog
Credits: 1-3
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes.