The Arts & Sciences Writing Program

The Writing Program helps Boston University undergraduates acquire writing and communication skills and more general habits of mind essential both to their full participation in the intellectual life of the University and to their future personal, professional, and civic lives. Most candidates for the BA are required to complete First-Year Writing Seminar and Writing, Research & Inquiry. The standard way to satisfy this requirement is through the two-course sequence CAS WR 120 First-Year Writing Seminar and one of three versions of Writing, Research & Inquiry: CAS WR 151 (meeting a Hub requirement in Oral and/or Signed Communication), CAS WR 152 (meeting a Hub requirement in Digital/Multimedia Expression), or CAS WR 153 (meeting a Hub requirement in Creativity/Innovation). In these courses, students hone their abilities to craft responsible, considered, and well-structured written arguments; to produce clear and coherent prose in a range of genres and styles; to read with understanding, appreciation, and critical judgment; to search for and select sources; and to express themselves orally and converse thoughtfully about complex ideas.

The Writing Program also is committed to the success of students whose first languages are languages other than English. International students who submitted evidence of proficiency in English as part of their applications for admission are required to take a writing placement administered by the program before registering for any CAS WR course. Students receive a placement of CAS WR 111, CAS WR 112, or CAS WR 120.

For undergraduates interested in developing their writing abilities further, the Writing Program offers a Minor in Writing that complements any major, giving students the opportunity to learn about and practice writing across disciplines, audiences, cultures, and languages. Students can fulfill the requirements for the minor through advanced WR courses and electives in creative writing, translation, and disciplinary writing.