Information for Incoming Students: Writing, Registration, and the CAS Core Curriculum

The CAS Core Curriculum is centered around weekly lectures and small discussion classes capped at 16 students taught by faculty from across CAS. “The Core” introduces students to enduring and transformative texts, art, and ideas that help them engage critically with the world and work well with any CAS major or for students who are undeclared.

CAS CC101: Ancient Worlds offers the First-Year Writing Seminar hub unit (=WR120) as well as two more hub units: Aesthetic Exploration & Creativity/Innovation. CC classes have fast-paced and engaged reading requirements, and active, text-centered participation in class is expected. You can read a description of the course here.

First-year students interested in CC101: Ancient Worlds can register in June. We have reserved 200 seats for incoming first-year students. Students must register for the A1 Lecture section (Tuesdays 9:30-10:45 AM) and a discussion section (there are 17 options). Fill out this waitlist form if classes are not available. Please email core@bu.edu if you have any questions.

Multilingual Writer Placement

All incoming students are welcome to register for CC101; however, students who are required to complete the Multilingual Writer Placement* should understand the course in relation to their placement.

  • If you receive a placement of WR111 or WR112, you should wait to join CC101 until you have completed WR112. Recall that CC101 = WR120 in that both offer the First-Year Writing Seminar Hub unit.
  • If you receive a placement of WR120, CC101 might be an option for you instead, especially if you are excited about an interdisciplinary study of the origins of civilization, from Mesopotamia and the Hebrew Bible to the development of Greek civilization through Homer, tragedy, and the philosophy of Plato. CC101 also has dedicated Graduate Teaching Fellows connected to each class who will work with students to develop their writing.

    * Writer Placement: Students who submitted TOEFL or other English-language proficiency test scores (both domestic and international students) as part of their applications for admission are required to take the online Multilingual Writer Placement through the CAS Writing Program. Please make sure to view information on writing placement here.

CAS CC201: Renaissance, Rediscovery, and Reformation offers the Writing, Research and Inquiry; Research and Information Literacy hub units (=WR150) as well as Aesthetic Exploration. Examining works of Petrarch, Elizabeth I, Machiavelli, Montaigne, Cervantes, Shakespeare, Descartes, and Cavendish, we consider the revival of the Classics and explore the new focus on the physical world and questioning of authority. The readings are demanding and participation in discussion is expected, read a description of the course here.

Students in CC201 must have completed CC101 or an equivalent first-year writing course.  This is an excellent option for transfer students to BU as the small classes invite you immediately into our learning community. Students interested in CC201 must register for the A1 Lecture section (Tuesdays 12:30-1:45 PM) and a discussion section (there are 6 options). Fill out this waitlist form if classes are not available. Please email core@bu.edu if you have any questions.

Did you know that Core has a minor? CC101 + CC102 and four more foundational CC course get you the liberal arts Core Minor. Learn more about the Core Minor here.