This class is about writing and academic inquiry, with a special emphasis on literature. Effective arguments stem from well-formulated questions, and academic essays allow writers to gain deeper understanding of the questions that they are exploring. In this course, you will learn to create complex, analytic, well-supported arguments that matter in academic contexts. The course will also hone your critical thinking and reading skills. Working closely with your peers and instructor, you will develop your essays through workshops and extensive revision and editing. The theme of this course will be "Literature and Science." Students will read works by scientists, novelists, essayists, and poets, which will serve as models or prompts for assigned essays. The specific questions that you will pursue in your essays will be guided by your own interests. Class discussion will attempt to answer questions about the relationship between literature and the sciences. How does scientific writing differ from writing in the humanities? How do literary representations of the sciences influence our expectations about science and technology? Are these fields irreparably divided, or is there space for work that crosses this divide?
Intended Audience:
This course welcomes entirely online participation.
Class Format:
Instruction. Mode: As a DC (Distance due to COVID) course, all aspects of this course will be fully compatible with remote online learning.
Learning Mode: All class instruction will be synchronous
Course testing: no exam