This course considers the idea of human creation from two perspectives: creation of the human and creation
by humans. Throughout our time together we will ask fundamental questions about what makes us human,
and what role “making” plays in our human experience. The first part of the semester will focus on stories of
humanity’s origins. Readings will include creation narratives from a wide range of cultures, scientific texts
such as On the Origin of Species or tales of spontaneous generation, and excerpts from John Milton’s Paradise
Lost. The second part of the semester will shift slightly as we think about humans making other humans,
especially in narratives that seek to circumvent sexual reproduction such as Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, and
the film Ex Machina (2014). Along the way, we will consider issues such as gender, sexuality, disability, race,
class, procreation, artificial intelligence, and craftsmanship. As this is also composition class, we will spend a
significant amount of time discussing technique and strategy and work toward refining our own skills as
humans who create through writing.
This class is about writing and academic inquiry, with a special emphasis on literature. Good arguments stem
from good questions, and academic essays allow writers to write their way toward answers, toward figuring
out what they think. In this writing-intensive course, you will focus on the creation of complex, analytic, well-
supported arguments addressing questions that matter in academic contexts. The course also hones your
critical thinking and reading skills. Working closely with your peers and the instructor, you will develop your
essays through workshops and extensive revision and editing. Readings cover a variety of genres and often
serve as models or prompts for assigned essays; the specific questions you pursue in essays are by your own
interests.
Intended Audience:
This course is welcome to online only students
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 a mix of synchronous and asynchronous
Course testing: remote asynchronous