This unit gives students the opportunity to reflect on how issues concerning Science and Religion are covered in the media. They will look at the kind of stories in this field dealt with by the media and see in what ways this coverage displays a polarised position. Science and Religion are usually represented as completely opposite modes of knowledge. They will look in particular at the coverage that has been given to the teaching of science at Emmanuel College, Gateshead.

They will analyse two different cases to see what beliefs are explored in some newspaper articles, using a questionnaire to help them make comparisons between the two articles. In the following lesson they will use an investigation sheet to judge the extent to which these articles are biased. In a further lesson they will look at a wider range of articles to assess the strengths and weaknesses of journalistic comment. In the final lesson, students will be given a particular scenario and the chance to suggest the ideal way in which its science and religious issues might be dealt with by the media.

• What are the kind of stories which the media cover in relation to science and religion?
• In what ways are science and religion portrayed as polarised and representing completely opposite modes of knowledge /experience?
• How could the media explore science and religion questions further, drawing upon genuinely academic and representative viewpoints?
• Is it possible to determine what actually happened at the college from the media reports? Give reasons for your answer.