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Precalculus - AS.110.105

Pre-College students & Undergraduate students July 1 - August 2 Homewood Campus
4 Credits Status: Open Save this Course View Saved Courses

This course provides students with the background necessary for the study of calculus. It begins with a review of the coordinate plane, linear equations, and inequalities, and moves purposefully into the study of functions. Students will explore the nature of graphs and deepen their understanding of polynomial, rational, trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions, and will be introduced to complex numbers, parametric equations, and the difference quotient.

This course is scheduled to run Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, between 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Duration
5 weeks
Area of Study
STEM
Department
Mathematics
Instructor
Kumar, Aditya

Probability - EN.553.420

Undergraduate students May 28 - June 28 Homewood Campus
4 Credits Status: Open Save this Course View Saved Courses

Probability and its applications, at the calculus level. Emphasis on techniques of application and on rigorous mathematical demonstration. Probability, combinatorial probability, random variables, distribution functions, important probability distributions, independence, conditional probability, moments, covariance and correlation, limit theorems. Students initiating graduate work in probability or statistics should enroll in EN.553.620 or EN.553.720. Prerequisites: one year of calculus. Corequisites: multivariable calculus and linear algebra.

Students who have received credit for AS.110.106 and/or AS.110.107 taken prior to Fall 2020 should contact the course instructor to determine whether they can receive permission to register for this course.

This course is scheduled to run Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, between 10 a.m. and 12:45 p.m.

Prerequisites: AS.110.107 (Calculus II For Biological and Social Science) or AS.110.109 (Calculus II For Physical Sciences & Engineering) or AS.110.113 (Honors Single Variable Calculus). AS.110.201 (Linear Algebra) or AS.110.202 (Calculus III) or AS.110.211 (Honors Multivariable Calculus) OR AS.110.212 (Honors Linear Algebra) must also be taken prior to EN.553.310 or concurrently.

Duration
5 weeks
Area of Study
STEM
Department
EN Applied Mathematics & Statistics
Instructor
Torcaso, Fred

Probability and Statistics for the Life Sciences - EN.553.211

Undergraduate students May 28 - June 28 Homewood Campus
4 Credits Status: Open Save this Course View Saved Courses

This is an introduction to statistics aimed at students in the life sciences. The course will provide the necessary background in probability with treatment of independence, Bayes theorem, discrete and continuous random variables and their distributions. The statistical topics covered will include sampling and sampling distributions, confidence intervals and hypothesis testing for means, comparison of populations, analysis of variance, linear regression and correlation. Analysis of data will be done using Excel.

This course is scheduled to run Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, between 10 a.m. and 12:45 p.m.

Prerequisite: AS.110.106 (Calculus I For Biology and Social Sciences) or AS.110.108 (Calculus I For Physical Sciences and Engineering) or AS.110.113 (Single Multivariable Calculus).

Statistics Sequence restriction: Students who have completed any of these courses may not register: EN.550.230 (Introduction to Biostatistics) OR AS.280.345 (Public Health Biostatistics) OR AS.200.314 (Advanced Statistical Methods) OR EN.550.310 (Probability & Statistics) OR EN.550.311 (Probability and Statistics for the Biological Sciences and Engineering) OR EN.550.420 (Introduction to Probability) OR EN.550.430 (Introduction to Statistics) OR EN.560.348 (Probability & Statistics in Civil Engineering).

Duration
5 weeks
Area of Study
STEM
Department
EN Applied Mathematics & Statistics
Instructor
Pisano, Zachary

Professional Writing and Communication (W) - EN.661.110

Pre-College students & Undergraduate students July 1 - August 2 Online
3 Credits Status: Open Save this Course View Saved Courses

This course teaches students to communicate effectively with a wide variety of specialized and non-specialized audiences. To do this, students will write proposals in response to JHU-, Baltimore-, or Maryland-based initiatives that focus on a specific area of interest. Potential topics include initiatives to improve urban sustainability, resiliency, health disparities, social justice, mental health/well-being, government/municipal services, and other relevant areas. The class emphasizes writing clearly and persuasively, leveraging evidence effectively, working with key stakeholders, creating appropriate visuals and infographics, developing oral presentation skills, working in collaborative groups, giving and receiving feedback, and simulating the real-world environment in which most communication occurs. Projects include resumes, cover letters, memos, proposals, technical reports, and slides. This course is open to students in any discipline or major.

This course is scheduled to run Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

A writing-intensive course (W) engages students in multiple writing projects, ranging from traditional papers to a wide variety of other forms, distributed throughout the term. Assignments include a mix of high and low stakes writing, meaning that students have the chance to write in informal, low-pressure--even ungraded--contexts, as well as producing larger, more formal writing assignments. Students engage in writing in the classroom through variety of means, including class discussions, workshop, faculty/TA lectures, and class materials (for instance, strong and weak examples of the assigned genre). Expectations are clearly conveyed through assignment descriptions, including the genre and audience of the assigned writing, and evaluative criteria. Students receive feedback on their writing, in written and/or verbal form, from faculty, TAs, and/or peers. Students have at least one opportunity to revise.

Duration
5 weeks
Areas of Study
Social Sciences, Humanities
Department
EN Center for Leadership Education
Instructor
Choy, Marina

Psychological Profiling - AS.200.205

Pre-College students June 24 - July 5 Online
1 Credit Status: Open Save this Course View Saved Courses

Focus on the strengths and limitations of psychological methods employed by forensic professionals who assist police in criminal investigations. Study clinical cases of serial offenders, spree killers, disgruntled employees, and terrorists. You will also explore legal and ethical issues, including racial profiling, profiling versus pathway-to-violence methodology, and other controversies.

This self-paced program is primarily delivered asynchronously; however, your instructor may schedule live interactions as well. Please refer to your syllabus for these opportunities and for your important program deadlines.

Prerequisite: There are no prerequisites for this program.

Required Text: There are no required textbooks for this program; all readings and video resources will be made available to you throughout the program.

Duration
2 weeks
Area of Study
Psychology and Brain Sciences
Department
Psychological & Brain Sciences

Psychological Profiling - AS.200.205

Pre-College students July 22 - August 2 Online
1 Credit Status: Open Save this Course View Saved Courses

Focus on the strengths and limitations of psychological methods employed by forensic professionals who assist police in criminal investigations. Study clinical cases of serial offenders, spree killers, disgruntled employees, and terrorists. You will also explore legal and ethical issues, including racial profiling, profiling versus pathway-to-violence methodology, and other controversies.

This self-paced program is primarily delivered asynchronously; however, your instructor may schedule live interactions as well. Please refer to your syllabus for these opportunities and for your important program deadlines.

Prerequisite: There are no prerequisites for this program.

Required Text: There are no required textbooks for this program; all readings and video resources will be made available to you throughout the program.

Duration
2 weeks
Area of Study
Psychology and Brain Sciences
Department
Psychological & Brain Sciences

Psychological Profiling - AS.200.205

Pre-College students July 8 - July 19 Online
1 Credit Status: Open Save this Course View Saved Courses

Focus on the strengths and limitations of psychological methods employed by forensic professionals who assist police in criminal investigations. Study clinical cases of serial offenders, spree killers, disgruntled employees, and terrorists. You will also explore legal and ethical issues, including racial profiling, profiling versus pathway-to-violence methodology, and other controversies.

This self-paced program is primarily delivered asynchronously; however, your instructor may schedule live interactions as well. Please refer to your syllabus for these opportunities and for your important program deadlines.

Prerequisite: There are no prerequisites for this program.

Required Text: There are no required textbooks for this program; all readings and video resources will be made available to you throughout the program.

Duration
2 weeks
Area of Study
Psychology and Brain Sciences
Department
Psychological & Brain Sciences

Psychology and Social Media - AS.200.323

Undergraduate students July 1 - August 2 Online
3 Credits Status: Open Save this Course View Saved Courses

This course explores modern-day social media use (e.g., Facebook, Match.com) through multiple theoretical lenses within psychology. Through weekly student-led discussions and readings, it will accomplish 3 aims: 1) applying psychology of identity, motivation, and communication to social media (e.g., self-presentation, intergroup dynamics), 2) investigating clinical/health implications of social media use (e.g., addiction, loneliness), and 3) exploring social media as data-gathering environments (e.g., user experience research from already committed guest-speakers who work in social media industries).

Recommended Course Background: at least 1 course in introductory psychology, developmental psychology, social psychology and/or clinical psychology.

This online course is primarily delivered asynchronously; however, your instructor may schedule live interactions as well. Please refer to your syllabus for these opportunities and for important course deadlines.

Duration
5 weeks
Area of Study
Psychology and Brain Sciences
Department
Psychological & Brain Sciences
Instructor
Bowen, Jeffrey

Psychopathology and Its Development - AS.200.199

Pre-College students July 22 - August 2 Online
1 Credit Status: Open Save this Course View Saved Courses

Examine an overview of abnormal psychology (i.e., psychopathology), including its development, etiological/theoretical perspectives, diagnosis, and treatment. Broadly cover the DSM categories, with a focus on understanding the major features of the common disorders and the evidence-based treatment of these conditions.

This self-paced program is primarily delivered asynchronously; however, your instructor may schedule live interactions as well. Please refer to your syllabus for these opportunities and for your important program deadlines.

Prerequisite: There are no prerequisites for this program.

Required Text: There are no required textbooks for this program; all readings and video resources will be made available to you throughout the program.

Duration
2 weeks
Area of Study
Psychology and Brain Sciences
Department
Psychological & Brain Sciences

Reading the Moving Image - AS.061.238

Pre-College students & Undergraduate students May 28 - June 28 Online
3 Credits Status: Open Save this Course View Saved Courses

This course will emphasize close observation and critical thinking. Through weekly screenings and class discussion, students will practice noticing; seeing and hearing with fresh eyes and ears, and taking nothing on screen for granted. And they’ll learn to reflect on and contextualize what they find, drawing evolved conclusions about how film texts communicate ideas and what those ideas may be. They’ll consider all elements of cinematic form; an array of analytical frameworks including genre, historical era, authorship, and modes of production; and representations of gender, race, and class. Regular quizzes, a short oral presentation, and a short written analysis. No prior experience in film studies required; majors and non-majors welcome.

This course is scheduled to run Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday between 5:15 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.

Duration
5 weeks
Areas of Study
Humanities, Film and Media
Department
Film and Media Studies
Instructor
Bucknell, Lucy

Real Analysis I - AS.110.405

Pre-College students & Undergraduate students June 3 - July 26 Online
4 Credits Status: Open Save this Course View Saved Courses

This course is designed to give a firm grounding in the basic tools of analysis. It is recommended as preparation (but may not be a prerequisite) for other advanced analysis courses and may be taken as an Introduction to Proofs (IP) course. Topics include the formal properties of real and complex number systems, topology of metric spaces, limits, continuity, infinite sequences and series, differentiation, Riemann-Stieltjes integration. 

Prerequisite: Grade of C- or better in AS.110.201 (Linear Algebra) or AS.110.212 (Honors Linear Algebra), AND 110.202 (Calculus III) or 110.211 (Honors Multivariable Calculus).

A flexible weekly schedule accommodates all student schedules and time zones, and courses include pre-recorded lectures, notes, and interactives to help students learn the material. Assessments include computer-scored items for immediate feedback as well as instructor-graded assignments for personalized learning. Students have access to instructors through email or individual reviews, and weekly instructor-led synchronous problem-solving sessions are recorded for viewing at any time. Students should expect to work a minimum of 5-10 hours per week.

Duration
8 weeks
Area of Study
STEM
Department
Mathematics
Instructor
Marino, Jeffrey

Science in the Colonial Age - AS.100.224

Pre-College students & Undergraduate students July 1 - August 2 Online
3 Credits Status: Open Save this Course View Saved Courses

This course provides a fresh look at one of the most critical periods in the history of science – the so-called ‘Scientific Revolution’, spanning a period from approximately 1550 to 1750 – through the lens of colonial studies. It will address classic topics within the history and philosophy of science, such as the rise of observational epistemologies and the globalization of scientific knowledge. By connecting these philosophical concepts to the colonial contexts in which they arose, it will use tools from social history, economic history, and art history. Ultimately, it seeks not only to enrich students’ perspectives on the history of science, but also to inspire them to think about the connections between science and society across time, including in our own moment.

This course is scheduled to run Monday, Wednesday, and Friday between 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

Duration
5 weeks
Areas of Study
STEM, Humanities
Department
History of Science and Technology
Instructor
Hinckley, Marlis

Social Inequality and the Public's Health - AS.280.140

Pre-College students June 24 - July 4 Homewood Campus
1 Credit Status: Open Save this Course View Saved Courses

In epidemiology, public health scientists use quantitative and analytic tools examine to the distribution of disease across the population and to identify the various factors that shape these patterns. This course will explore how epidemiologic tools can be used to interrogate the social and structural factors that create health disparities in society. Students will learn about key social determinants of health (including class, race, and gender), the various pathways by which social experiences “get under the skin” to impact physiologic disease states, and how epidemiologists investigate these processes through population-based research. Students will leave the course with an understanding of the ways public health professionals and community members alike can use this public health research to develop policies and programs that protect the health of vulnerable groups and reduce inequality.

Duration
2 weeks
Areas of Study
Foundations of Medicine and Health, STEM
Department
Public Health Studies
Instructor
Qureshi, Farah

Social Inequality and the Public's Health - AS.280.140

Pre-College students July 8 - July 18 Homewood Campus
1 Credit Status: Open Save this Course View Saved Courses

In epidemiology, public health scientists use quantitative and analytic tools examine to the distribution of disease across the population and to identify the various factors that shape these patterns. This course will explore how epidemiologic tools can be used to interrogate the social and structural factors that create health disparities in society. Students will learn about key social determinants of health (including class, race, and gender), the various pathways by which social experiences “get under the skin” to impact physiologic disease states, and how epidemiologists investigate these processes through population-based research. Students will leave the course with an understanding of the ways public health professionals and community members alike can use this public health research to develop policies and programs that protect the health of vulnerable groups and reduce inequality.

Duration
2 weeks
Areas of Study
Foundations of Medicine and Health, STEM
Department
Public Health Studies
Instructor
Qureshi, Farah

Spanish Elements I - AS.210.111

Pre-College students & Undergraduate students May 28 - June 28 Online
4 Credits Status: Open Save this Course View Saved Courses

This is an introductory Spanish language course. On completion of this course, the students will have acquired the basic communication and grammatical skills necessary for speaking, writing, listening, and reading in Spanish. Students will demonstrate these skills through their performance in class by completing several online assignments and by taking part in three group presentations in addition to two comprehensive exams which focus on the following thematic topics: Greetings, University Life, Family, and Leisure. Students will also be introduced to the culture, history and geography of various Spanish and Latin American countries. The content covered in Spanish Elements 1 is the foundation for all consecutive Spanish courses. A placement exam is required to ensure the appropriate level. Students wishing to retain credits for Spanish Elements I must complete Spanish Elements II with a passing grade. Your enrollment in Spanish Elements I will not be considered for approval until you have emailed the Spanish Language Director.

This online course is primarily delivered asynchronously; however, your instructor may schedule live interactions as well. Please refer to your syllabus for these opportunities and for important course deadlines.

Duration
5 weeks
Area of Study
Humanities
Department
Modern Languages and Literatures
Instructor
Sanchez, Loreto

Spanish Elements II - AS.210.112

Pre-College students & Undergraduate students May 28 - June 28 Online
4 Credits Status: Open Save this Course View Saved Courses

This introductory Spanish language course is a continuation of the content covered in Spanish Elements I. On completion of this course, the students will have further developed the communication and grammatical skills necessary for speaking, writing, listening, and reading in Spanish. Students will demonstrate these skills through their performance in class by completing several online assignments and by taking part in three group presentations in addition to two comprehensive exams which focus on the following thematic topics: Food, Sports, Shopping, Travel, and Health. Students will also be introduced to the culture, history, and geography of various Spanish and Latin American countries. The content covered in Spanish Elements II prepares the students for Intermediate Spanish. May not be taken Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory. No new enrollments permitted after the fourth class session.

Prerequisite: AS.210.111 (Spanish Elements I) or appropriate Spanish placement exam score.

This online course is primarily delivered asynchronously; however, your instructor may schedule live interactions as well. Please refer to your syllabus for these opportunities and for important course deadlines.

Duration
5 weeks
Area of Study
Humanities
Department
Modern Languages and Literatures
Instructor
Sanchez, Loreto

Spanish Elements II - AS.210.112

Pre-College students & Undergraduate students July 1 - August 2 Online
4 Credits Status: Open Save this Course View Saved Courses

This introductory Spanish language course is a continuation of the content covered in Spanish Elements I. On completion of this course, the students will have further developed the communication and grammatical skills necessary for speaking, writing, listening, and reading in Spanish. Students will demonstrate these skills through their performance in class by completing several online assignments and by taking part in three group presentations in addition to two comprehensive exams which focus on the following thematic topics: Food, Sports, Shopping, Travel, and Health. Students will also be introduced to the culture, history, and geography of various Spanish and Latin American countries. The content covered in Spanish Elements II prepares the students for Intermediate Spanish. May not be taken Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory. No new enrollments permitted after the fourth class session.

Prerequisite: AS.210.111 (Spanish Elements I) or appropriate Spanish placement exam score.

This online course is primarily delivered asynchronously; however, your instructor may schedule live interactions as well. Please refer to your syllabus for these opportunities and for important course deadlines.

Duration
5 weeks
Area of Study
Humanities
Department
Modern Languages and Literatures
Instructor
Sanchez, Loreto

Stars and the Universe: Cosmic Evolution - AS.171.118

Pre-College students & Undergraduate students July 1 - August 2 Homewood Campus
3 Credits Status: Open Save this Course View Saved Courses

This course looks at the evolution of the universe from its origin in a cosmic explosion to emergence of life on Earth and possibly other planets throughout the universe. Topics include big-bang cosmology; origin and evolution of galaxies, stars, planets, life, and intelligence; black holes; quasars; and relativity theory. The material is largely descriptive, based on insights from physics, astronomy, geology, chemistry, biology, and anthropology.

This course is scheduled to run Monday, Wednesday, and Friday between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m.

Duration
5 weeks
Area of Study
STEM
Department
Physics & Astronomy
Instructor
Zheng, Wei

The Hollywood Novel - AS.060.194

Undergraduate students July 1 - August 9 Online
3 Credits Status: Open Save this Course View Saved Courses

Known as Tinseltown, La-La Land, Lost Angeles, the dream machine that privileges the few and leaves in its wake disillusioned starlets, down-and-out screenwriters, and uncredited extras, Hollywood has seized the imaginations of countless artists, not the least of which being novelists. Over the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, several American writers have produced a small but distinct array of works in the only novelistic subgenre centering an industry: the Hollywood novel. With a grudge against the myth of the West and aesthetic roots in P.T.Barnum’s freak show, this subgenre devotes as much energy to the film industry’s triumphs as it does to the grotesquerie of Hollywood’s failures, exclusions, and false promises. In this course, we will watch a few exemplary films, listen to a radio-play, and read seven short Hollywood novels, including two epistolary novels, a surrealist satire, a fictive memoir, a psychological novel, a work of science fiction, and a novel in the form of a screenplay. We will pursue the following questions: What images of the United States emerge when writers foreground the film industry? What stylistic and narrative strategies do these novels derive from filmmaking techniques and technologies? If Hollywood deals mainly in make-belief, what are the realities that the Hollywood novel claims to unveil? Finally, in a culture increasingly occupied by visual media, how do Hollywood novels position their literariness in relation to cinema?

This course is scheduled to run Monday, Wednesday, and Friday between 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.

Duration
6 weeks
Area of Study
Humanities
Department
English
Instructor
Bakopoulos, Heleana

The Mathematics of Politics, Democracy, and Social Choice (W) - AS.110.303

Pre-College students & Undergraduate students June 3 - July 26 Online
4 Credits Status: Open Save this Course View Saved Courses

This course is designed for students of all backgrounds to provide a mathematical introduction to social choice theory, weighted voting systems, apportionment methods, and gerrymandering. In the search for ideal ways to make certain kinds of political decisions, a lot of wasted effort could be averted if mathematics could determine that finding such an ideal were actually possible in the first place. The course will analyze data from recent US elections as well as provide historical context to modern discussions in politics, culminating in a mathematical analysis of the US Electoral College. Case studies, future implications, and comparisons to other governing bodies outside the US are used to apply the theory of the course. Students will use Microsoft Excel to analyze data sets. There are no mathematical prerequisites for this course.

A flexible weekly schedule accommodates all student schedules and time zones, and courses include pre-recorded lectures, notes, and interactives to help students learn the material. Assessments include computer-scored items for immediate feedback as well as instructor-graded assignments for personalized learning. Students have access to instructors through email or individual reviews, and weekly instructor-led synchronous problem-solving sessions are recorded for viewing at any time. Students should expect to work a minimum of 5-10 hours per week.

A writing-intensive course (W) engages students in multiple writing projects, ranging from traditional papers to a wide variety of other forms, distributed throughout the term. Assignments include a mix of high and low stakes writing, meaning that students have the chance to write in informal, low-pressure--even ungraded--contexts, as well as producing larger, more formal writing assignments. Students engage in writing in the classroom through variety of means, including class discussions, workshop, faculty/TA lectures, and class materials (for instance, strong and weak examples of the assigned genre). Expectations are clearly conveyed through assignment descriptions, including the genre and audience of the assigned writing, and evaluative criteria. Students receive feedback on their writing, in written and/or verbal form, from faculty, TAs, and/or peers. Students have at least one opportunity to revise.

Duration
8 weeks
Areas of Study
STEM, Social Sciences
Department
Mathematics
Instructor
Ratigan, Christopher

The Psychology of Evil - AS.200.213

Undergraduate students May 28 - June 28 Online
3 Credits Status: Open Save this Course View Saved Courses

Why is there evil in the world? Are some born evil, or do social, environmental, and cultural forces create evil? What makes otherwise good people do evil things? The scientific study of evil epitomizes the fundamental challenge that psychology faces in dissecting the role of biology (nature) and the social context (nurture). Credit earned through this course counts toward the 120-credit degree requirement but does not count towards the Psychology major/minor. Students must be aged 18 or older to enroll, due to the sensitive nature of the material in this course (e.g., research on violence).

Duration
5 weeks
Area of Study
Psychology and Brain Sciences
Department
Psychological & Brain Sciences
Instructor
Roberts, Scott

Thriving Through College: A Developmental and Psychological Perspective - AS.200.210

Pre-College students & Undergraduate students July 1 - August 2 Homewood Campus
3 Credits Status: Open Save this Course View Saved Courses

Students will develop a working knowledge of the characteristics that have been identified through research as being important in effective college transitions. Using practical and theoretical objectives, the course will explore the relevance of developmental and positive psychological processes as they apply in academic and social settings and provide theory-based research approaches for thriving in college and beyond. The developmental period of emerging adulthood (ages 18-25) will be discussed with a primary focus on cognitive, moral, and identity development theories. Students also will gain an understanding of what contributes to thriving and how to build the enabling conditions of a life worth living. The developmental theories and central concepts in positive psychology will provide students with a foundation to navigate college academic expectations and equip them with the attitudes, skills, and resources needed to function optimally and excel in college.

This course is scheduled to run Monday, Wednesday, and Friday between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Duration
5 weeks
Area of Study
Psychology and Brain Sciences
Department
Psychological & Brain Sciences
Instructor
Bauman, Leslie

Understanding the Food System - AS.190.223

Pre-College students & Undergraduate students July 1 - August 2 Homewood Campus
3 Credits Status: Open Save this Course View Saved Courses

This course examines the politics and policies that shape the production and consumption of food. Topics include food security, obesity, crop and animal production, and the impacts of agriculture on climate change. We will also consider the vulnerabilities of our food system to challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as efforts to transform food and agriculture through new food technologies and grass-roots movements to create a more democratic food system.

This course is scheduled to run Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday between 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Students who have completed AS.190.405 (Food Politics) may not enroll in this class.

Duration
5 weeks
Area of Study
Social Sciences
Department
Political Science
Instructor
Sheingate, Adam

Writing the Unreal (W) - AS.220.207

Undergraduate students May 20 - June 28 Online
3 Credits Status: Open Save this Course View Saved Courses

"We left what we felt at what we saw," the poet Wallace Stevens once wrote, suggesting writing involves a direct response to our experiences of reality. In this class, we’ll look exclusively at writing which takes on what hasn’t been seen and hasn’t been felt. Through reading works of science fiction, magical realism, gothic literature, and speculative fiction, students will investigate how the unreal can still speak to our experiences and perceptions of the real. Additionally, students will get the chance to craft their own fantastical worlds through regular writing assignments. Tales of time travelers, haunted houses, unreal languages, and reimagined cities will be covered. Readings will include selections from Paul Beatty, Octavia Butler, Italo Calvino, Ursula K. Le Guin, Yoko Ogawa, and Mary Shelley.

This online course is primarily delivered asynchronously; however, your instructor may schedule live interactions as well. Please refer to your syllabus for these opportunities and for important course deadlines.

A writing-intensive course (W) engages students in multiple writing projects, ranging from traditional papers to a wide variety of other forms, distributed throughout the term. Assignments include a mix of high and low stakes writing, meaning that students have the chance to write in informal, low-pressure--even ungraded--contexts, as well as producing larger, more formal writing assignments. Students engage in writing in the classroom through variety of means, including class discussions, workshop, faculty/TA lectures, and class materials (for instance, strong and weak examples of the assigned genre). Expectations are clearly conveyed through assignment descriptions, including the genre and audience of the assigned writing, and evaluative criteria. Students receive feedback on their writing, in written and/or verbal form, from faculty, TAs, and/or peers. Students have at least one opportunity to revise.

Duration
6 weeks
Area of Study
Humanities
Department
Writing Seminars

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