Writing
College of Arts & Sciences
First-Year Writing Seminar (CAS WR 120)
Prereq: CAS WR 112, placement results, or transfer credit for WR 02* (for English language learners only). Topic-based seminar in critical reading and writing. Engagement with a variety of sources and practice in writing in a range of genres with particular attention to argumentation, prose style, and revision, informed by reflection and feedback, including individual conferences. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: First-Year Writing Seminar.
Topics for 2026:
Section A1 - The Language of Identity "The Language of Identity" is an exploration of self through writing about culture, race, gender, and class. We explore how language shapes identity – our own and the diverse communities around us. With writers like Ta-Nehisi Coates, Roxane Gay, Gabriel Mac, June Jordan, Gloria Anzaldua, and many more, we see how the perception of our language shapes how others judge or view our identity – fairly or unfairly. Ultimately, we learn how to craft an argument in the public discourse, and in doing so, notice how the engagement of our language within any discourse informs our identity.
Section A2 - Reimagining Happiness What does it mean to be happy? Can you become happier? If so, how? What factors are most correlated with happiness: physical attractiveness, high income levels, well-respected jobs, healthy social relationships or a strong sense of purpose? How much of your happiness is under your control? We explore these questions by reading academic and nonacademic sources written by psychologists, sociologists, economists, etc. We watch Ted Talks and discuss how happiness is defined in cross-cultural contexts. We keep a journal to record happy moments, look for gaps in our understanding of happiness, and develop our own theory of happiness.
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First-Year Writing Seminar
CAS WR 120
Please see the descriptions of the A1 and A2 sections provided above. 4 cr. Tuition: $3380
Summer 1 (May 19-June 26)
A1 (IND) Mon./Tues./Thurs. 10 am-12:30 pmDaniel DiPaoloTopic: The Language of IdentityA2 (IND) Mon./Tues./Thurs. 1:30-4 pmYelin ZhaoTopic: Reimagining Happiness -
Writing, Research, & Inquiry with Oral and/or Signed Expression
CAS WR 151
Please see the descriptions of the A1 and B1 sections provided above. 4 cr. Tuition: $3380
Summer 1 (May 19-June 26)
A1 (IND) Mon./Tues./Thurs. 10 am-12:30 pmDaryl MorazziniTopic: Literature of the OccultSummer 2 (June 29-August 7)
B1 (IND) Mon./Tues./Thurs. 10 am-12:30 pmFrancis IssahTopic: Speaking Out for Change -
Writing, Research, & Inquiry with Digital/Multimedia Expression
CAS WR 152
Please see the descriptions of the A1 and B1 sections provided above. 4 cr. Tuition: $3380
Summer 1 (May 19-June 26)
A1 (IND) Mon./Tues./Thurs. 1:30-4 pmCourtney MillerTopic: Breaking the Class CeilingSummer 2 (June 29-August 7)
B1 (IND) Mon./Tues./Thurs. 1:30-4 pmGeorge VahamikosTopic: Twenty-First Century Terrors -
Writing, Research, & Inquiry with Creativity/Innovation
CAS WR 153
Please see the description of the A1 section provided above. 4 cr. Tuition: $3380
Summer 1 (May 19-June 26)
A1 (IND) Mon./Tues./Thurs. 10 am-12:30 pmAnna PanszczykTopic: Loneliness Across Disciplines -
Introduction to Creative Writing
CAS EN 202
Primarily a creative writing workshop, in which students write and revise their own short fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry, and read their peers' work with generosity, providing constructive feedback. Students also learn to read closely the work of literary masters past and present. Effective Fall 2022, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Aesthetic Exploration. 4 cr. Tuition: $3380
Summer 1 (May 19-June 26)
A1 (IND) Mon./Wed. 1-4:30 pmSummer 2 (June 29-August 7)
B1 (IND) Mon./Wed. 1-4:30 pm -
Reading and Writing Literary Nonfiction
CAS EN 502
Undergraduate Prerequisites: two previous literature courses or junior or senior standing; and First-Year Writing (WR 120 or equivalent). - Prereq: First-Year Writing Seminar (e.g., CAS EN 120 or CAS WR 100 or CAS WR 120) and two previous literature courses or junior or senior standing. This reading and writing seminar explores literary nonfiction, a wide-ranging, sometimes controversial genre in which writers use techniques associated with fiction and poetry to make meaning of lives. How do writers describe their world, especially peoples, places, and things? What are different ways of using personal voice? Each weekly meeting includes discussion of published nonfiction along with writing short exercises, and workshopping writing. The learning goals of this course are to become better readers and more skillful practitioners of the craft of literary nonfiction. Effective Fall 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Writing-Intensive Course, Creativity/Innovation. 4 cr. Tuition: $3380
Summer 1 (May 19-June 26)
A1 (IND) Mon./Tues./Thurs. 1-3:30 pmChris Walsh -
Interdisciplinary Studies in Creative Writing
CAS EN 549
A workshop-based class, for the artist interested in creative writing, the creative writer interested in art and the history of comics, or any student interested in interdisciplinary studies in humanities. Explores the overlaps between the disciplines of creative writing and illustration, as well as the surprises and difficulties that arise when combining the two. Students write and revise their own creative works, as well as receive feedback from their classmates and professor in the workshop environment. Readings include literary works, comics, and historical articles. 4 cr. Tuition: $3380
Summer 1 (May 19-June 26)
A1 (IND) Tues./Thurs. 1-4:30 pmJess RuliffsonTopic: Writer as IllustratorSummer 2 (June 29-August 7)
B1 (IND) Tues./Thurs. 1-4:30 pmTopic: Sportswriter as Storyteller -
Introduction to Communication Writing
COM CO 201
Undergraduate Prerequisites: First-Year Writing Seminar (e.g., CAS WR 100 or CAS WR 120) or equivalent. - This is the College of Communication's core undergraduate writing course. Students refresh their grammatical and stylistic skills and apply those skills to professional writing assignments. The course prepares students to write with clarity, conciseness, precision, and accuracy within communication fields. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Writing-Intensive Course, Oral and/or Signed Communication, Research and Information Literacy. (Students on the Hub cannot take CAS WR 100 as a prerequisite.) 4 cr. Tuition: $3380
Summer 1 (May 19-June 26)
A1 (IND) Tues./Thurs. 1-4:30 pmJuliet Pennington-MatteA2 (IND) Mon./Wed. 6-9:30 pmAllison WaxmanA3 (IND) Tues./Thurs. 6-9:30 pmSam SarkisianSummer 2 (June 29-August 7)
B1 (IND) Mon./Wed. 1-4:30 pmDiana LynchB2 (IND) Tues./Thurs. 9 am-12:30 pmOlga Drepanos -
Writing for Communication
COM CM 331
Undergraduate Prerequisites: CO201 AND First Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 100 or WR 120). - Prereq: (COM CO 201) and First-Year Writing Seminar (e.g., CAS WR 100 or CAS WR 120). Intensive exposure to some of the basic writing formats in the communications profession: news releases, letters, features, and profiles. Lead writing, editing, and techniques of interviewing. Extensive writing and rewriting. Develops basic writing skills for different audiences. Effective Fall 2018, course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Writing-Intensive Course. 4 cr. Tuition: $3380
Summer 1 (May 19-June 26)
A1 (IND) Mon./Wed. 6-9:30 pmMichael DowdingSummer 2 (June 29-August 7)
B1 (IND) Tues./Thurs. 1-4:30 pmMichael Dodge
Writing, Research, & Inquiry with Oral and/or Signed Expression (CAS WR 151)
Prereq: First-Year Writing Seminar (e.g., CAS WR 120) or transfer credit for CAS WR 13* or CAS WR 16*. Topic-based seminar in critical reading, research, writing, and oral communication. Practice in sustained inquiry, including scholarly research and communication of findings to different audiences. Attention to argumentation, public speaking, prose style, and revision, informed by reflection and feedback, including individual conferences. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Writing, Research, and Inquiry, Oral and/or Signed Communication, Research and Information Literacy.
Topics for 2026
Section A1 - Literature of the Occult In this course, we look at the influence of the Western Esoteric Tradition, often called "the occult," on horror literature. The genre of horror is filled with vivid examples of the occult, but how serious authors are about the subject is rarely considered. Our class inquires as to why "occult" practices appear so prominently in many works of horror and how these dense symbol systems and arcane practices speak to the fear of technology and science. The occult continues to be a driving force in literature, movies, and video games, as well as alternative religions, spirituality, and politics.
Section B1 - Speaking Out for Change In our fast-growing world, a lot of voices are being drowned out and so many injustices are taking place. In this course, we discuss themes such as community building, social justice, civic empowerment, and antiracism and respect for difference. We explore how language can be used as a tool for problem solving. As members of collaborative writing teams, we identify problems in our communities and take steps to resolve them through research, writing, and oral presentation. Through research-based oral presentations, we compose artefacts such as oral briefings, needs assessments, progress reports, and formal proposals.
Writing, Research, & Inquiry with Digital/Multimedia Expression (CAS WR 152)
Prereq: First-Year Writing Seminar (e.g., CAS WR 120) or transfer credit for CAS WR 13* or CAS WR 16*. Topic-based seminar in critical reading, research, writing, and digital/multimedia communication. Practice in sustained inquiry, including scholarly research and communication of findings to different audiences. Attention to argumentation, prose style, digital/multimedia design and communication, and revision, informed by reflection and feedback, including individual conferences. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Digital/Multimedia Expression, Writing, Research, and Inquiry, Research and Information Literacy.
Topics for 2026
Section A1 - Breaking the Class Ceiling This course is a study of multimedia texts that (re)define class consciousness. We generate intersectional questions about race, gender, region, and sexuality to study how these subject positions collide with and complicate notions of class hierarchies. Studying various scholarly agendas aids in the design and execution of individual research projects that elucidate some aspect of class identity or class culture, with the goal of producing informed, ethical, anti-classist research. Research projects offer new insights into contemporary notions of class cohesion and division using various digital multi-modal/non-linguistic forms (e.g., podcasts, short films, social media content).
Section B1 - Twenty-First Century Terrors In the 60s and 70s, Vietnam and civil unrest gave birth to a golden age of horror movies. In our new century, we have been forced to confront tragedy on an even greater level. This course examines the horror genre in both film and television as a powerful meditation on the fears of a new and uncertain century, including terrorism, chemical and biological warfare, pandemic, authoritarianism, and nuclear Armageddon. Attention is given to works made in the US, Europe, and Southeast Asia to consider the genre in a global, cross-cultural context.
Writing, Research, & Inquiry with Creativity/Innovation (CAS WR 153)
Prereq: First-Year Writing Seminar (e.g., CAS WR 120) or transfer credit for CAS WR 13* or CAS WR 16*. Topic-based seminar in critical reading, research, writing, and creativity and innovation. Practice in sustained inquiry, including scholarly research and communication of findings to different audiences. Attention to argumentation, prose style, creative process, and revision, informed by reflection and feedback, including individual conferences. Effective Spring 2022, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Creativity/Innovation, Writing, Research, and Inquiry, Research and Information Literacy.
Topic for 2026
Section A1 - Loneliness Across Disciplines Concepts of loneliness can be discussed in any number of fields and disciplines within the hard or social sciences, humanities, communications, and business. Therefore, in this course, students explore ideas and depictions of loneliness in three very different disciplines in order to not only study the complexity of loneliness but also to examine and explore the demands and expectations of three distinct and diverse disciplines.
Through its courses and tutorials, the Writing Program helps 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.
All students entering Boston University as first-year undergraduates in Fall 2018 and after will pursue coursework in the BU Hub, a general education program that is integrated into the entire undergraduate experience. BU Hub requirements are flexible and can be satisfied in many different ways, through coursework in and beyond the major (or minor) and, in some cases, through co-curricular activities. Students who take CAS WR 120 and either CAS WR 151, WR 152, or WR 153 will satisfy Hub requirements in First-Year Writing; Writing, Research & Inquiry; and Research and Information Literacy. Those who take CAS WR 151 will receive an additional Hub unit in Oral and/or Signed Communication. Those who take CAS WR 152 will receive an additional Hub unit in Digital/Multimedia Expression. Those who take CAS WR 153 will receive an additional Hub unit in Creativity/Innovation. While it is permissible for students to take more than one writing course at the 150 level (WR 151, WR 152, WR 153), it is not generally recommended. CAS WR 111 and CAS WR 112 (not offered in summer) are reserved for ELL (English Language Learner) students who may need preparatory work prior to enrolling in CAS WR 120.
Current and incoming Boston University international students who submitted English-language proficiency test scores, such as TOEFL or DET scores, to Admissions are required to complete the online Multilingual Writer Placement (MWP) before taking any WR courses if they have not received a placement yet. Students should arrange to complete the MWP self-evaluation activity before the start of Summer Term by using the Placement Help Form on the Writing Program website (www.bu.edu/writingprogram) under the Student Resources section.
Writing assistance is available to students enrolled in summer WR courses. To make an appointment with a writing consultant, please go to www.bu.edu/writingprogram/the-writing-center.