Academics: Undergraduate + Graduate

The Program in Writing and Humanistic Studies teaches students the craft, forms, and traditions of contemporary writing and communication.  Some students explore writing as a means of artistic expression.  Some learn how to communicate the results of their science and technical work to broad audiences and members of their professions.  Others work collaboratively within the evolving framework of digital media to become skillful in interactive and nonlinear forms of communication.  All subjects in the program emphasize the development of the foundational skills, creative initiative, and critical sensibility necessary to become a good writer.

Subjects in the program’s three options –creative writing (fiction, nonfiction prose, poetry), science writing, and digital media – are taught at both introductory and advanced levels.  All subjects require extensive writing and revision.  Work is typically discussed in workshops and receives the written commentary of the instructor.

The Program in Writing and Humanistic Studies offers three undergraduate options leading to the Bachelor of Science in Writing: Creative Writing, Science Writing and Digital Media. Concentrations in writing  establish a course of study in fiction, prose nonfiction (including rhetoric), science writing, or digital media, and offer engineering or science majors an opportunity to develop abilities that will play a key role in their professional careers.

The Minor in Writing and Humanistic Studies offers students a sustained opportunity to work in one of the program’s three options while also exploring offerings in the program’s core curriculum. 

The program also offers a one-year master’s degree (SM) in science writing.  Students in the graduate program receive intensive training in the craft of turning technically complex ideas and discoveries into compelling writing and productions for broad audiences.  Approaches in the graduate curriculum range from daily journalism to long-form prose, documentary audio and video, and digital media; students complete a required internship.