Writing
College of Arts & Sciences
First-Year Writing Seminar (CAS WR 120)
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First-Year Writing Seminar
CAS WR 120
Topic: College: Myths and Realities. We explore college student life from diverse perspectives, starting with why higher education is central to the American Dream and why many young adults pursue degrees. We critically examine myths about college, such as the “traditional student” concept, and explore challenges students face today, including mental health, financial struggles, and homesickness. We also focus on the unique experiences of international students. Through these discussions, we develop our communication and academic literacy skills. Our readings include authors like Rebekah Nathan, Anthony Abraham Jack, and Rainesford Stauffer, along with traditional and multimodal texts like news articles, video essays, and slam poetry. 4 cr.
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First-Year Writing Seminar
CAS WR 120
Topic: Philosophy, Horror, and Film. In this course, we study disturbing stories and ask why they speak to us. Why are “rough” or immoral heroes so compelling? What makes “immoral” stories, where bad things happen to good people, so gripping? Throughout the course, we survey controversial topics in the philosophy of art such as catharsis, censorship, the meaning of beauty, and the value of art both in our personal lives and in our society today. As we investigate these topics, we analyze influential horror films such as Takashi Miike’s Audition, Kim Jee-woon’s A Tale of Two Sisters, and Anna Biller’s The Love Witch. 4 cr.
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Writing, Research, & Inquiry with Oral and/or Signed Expression
CAS WR 151
Topic: I Want to Believe: UFOs. Half of all Americans believe in UFOs, and 15% of Americans believe that Bigfoot is real. Nearly every recorded culture and established mythology has some version of anomalies in the sky and hairy man-beasts in the woods. In America, belief in UFOs and Bigfoot often assumes a religious vigor, an obsession. What are the ancient urges that underpin such fantastical belief? What purposes do these beliefs serve in the lives of devotees? We closely study the mythologies and research, and write about why so many are inclined to believe in what many scientists claim is either unlikely or impossible. 4 cr.
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Writing, Research, & Inquiry with Digital/Multimedia Expression
CAS WR 152
Topic: Art and Justice in Boston. In this course, we visit and examine some of Boston’s art exhibitions and outdoor works of art and monuments. We consider the critical discourse surrounding these artworks and look at how they function in and outside the city. Research projects begin with questions about art’s interrogation of power. We explore how particular artworks and exhibitions around us engage local communities. As we share our research, we also consider ways these works impact our personal and collective sense of place and self. Our writing and projects consider connections and intersections between art, social justice, reform, and advocacy. 4 cr.
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Writing, Research, & Inquiry with Digital/Multimedia Expression
CAS WR 152
Topic: Hip Hop: Race & Social Justice. Hip-hop, originally a conscious voice, exploring themes of race, identity, and social justice, has consistently evolved, taking roots in different pockets around the world. In this course, students examine these pockets and ask: Given the racial injustice and the current challenges society faces today, why aren't hip-hop and rap music taken more seriously? What are the roots of the flawed perceptions? Do hip-hop and rap artists have a responsibility in exploring themes of race, identity, and social injustice? What role is the feminist movement playing in the evolution of hip-hop and rap? 4 cr.
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Writing, Research, & Inquiry with Creativity/Innovation
CAS WR 153
Topic: AI: Philosophy and Ethics. This course considers the philosophical and ethical implications of Artificial Intelligence. We explore issues such as algorithmic bias, AI’s effect on the economy, AI’s potential to reshape attitudes about love and friendship, and AI’s reshaping of global politics and power. Students pursue an independent research project to explore the implications of AI for their intended field or major. Students have the opportunity to practice prompt engineering as well as collaborate with generative AI for their projects. 4 cr.
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Writing, Research, & Inquiry with Creativity/Innovation
CAS WR 153
Topic: Marijuana in America. In this course, students write about marijuana’s polarizing influence in recent American history. Marijuana prohibition in America has evolved to reflect political, social, economic and scientific trends in twentieth century US history. This course questions the role of science and morality in drug enforcement policy and evaluates the recent push for decriminalization during three periods: the prohibition years in the first half of the century; the counter-cultural period after the 1950s and the backlash it created; and the medicinal marijuana era that followed the 1980s. 4 cr.
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Introduction to Creative Writing
CAS EN 202
Primarily a creative writing workshop, in which students write and revise their own short fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry, and read their peers' work with generosity, providing constructive feedback. Students also learn to read closely the work of literary masters past and present. Effective Fall 2022, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Aesthetic Exploration. 4 cr.
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Reading and Writing Literary Nonfiction
CAS EN 502
Undergraduate Prerequisites: two previous literature courses or junior or senior standing; and First-Year Writing (WR 120 or equivalent). - Prereq: First-Year Writing Seminar (e.g., CAS EN 120 or CAS WR 100 or CAS WR 120) and two previous literature courses or junior or senior standing. This reading and writing seminar explores literary nonfiction, a wide-ranging, sometimes controversial genre in which writers use techniques associated with fiction and poetry to make meaning of lives. How do writers describe their world, especially peoples, places, and things? What are different ways of using personal voice? Each weekly meeting includes discussion of published nonfiction along with writing short exercises, and workshopping writing. The learning goals of this course are to become better readers and more skillful practitioners of the craft of literary nonfiction. Effective Fall 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Writing-Intensive Course, Creativity/Innovation. 4 cr.
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Interdisciplinary Studies in Creative Writing: Writer as Illustrator
CAS EN 549
A workshop-based class, for the artist interested in creative writing, the creative writer interested in art and the history of comics, or any student interested in interdisciplinary studies in humanities. Explores the overlaps between the disciplines of creative writing and illustration, as well as the surprises and difficulties that arise when combining the two. Students write and revise their own creative works, as well as receive feedback from their classmates and professor in the workshop environment. Readings include literary works, comics, and historical articles. 4 cr.
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Introduction to Communication Writing
COM CO 201
Undergraduate Prerequisites: First-Year Writing Seminar (e.g., CAS WR 100 or CAS WR 120) or equivalent. - This is the College of Communication's core undergraduate writing course. Students refresh their grammatical and stylistic skills and apply those skills to professional writing assignments. The course prepares students to write with clarity, conciseness, precision, and accuracy within communication fields. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Writing-Intensive Course, Oral and/or Signed Communication, Research and Information Literacy. (Students on the Hub cannot take CAS WR 100 as a prerequisite.) 4 cr.
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Writing for Communication
COM CM 331
Undergraduate Prerequisites: CO201 AND First Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 100 or WR 120). - Prereq: (COM CO 201) and First-Year Writing Seminar (e.g., CAS WR 100 or CAS WR 120). Intensive exposure to some of the basic writing formats in the communications profession: news releases, letters, features, and profiles. Lead writing, editing, and techniques of interviewing. Extensive writing and rewriting. Develops basic writing skills for different audiences. Effective Fall 2018, course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Writing-Intensive Course. 4 cr.