In this course, we’ll explore futuristic dystopian worlds where courageous young heroes must step up to fight against propaganda, oppression, and violence. While reading thought-provoking novels and short stories, we’ll learn the characteristics of the dystopian genre of literature and explore authors’ stated intentions and inspiration. You will deepen your understanding of the texts, literary terms, and common themes in dystopian YA literature, all while completing written and multimedia assignments and engaging in online forum discussions with classmates from around the world.

Learn to master the core elements of fiction writing, such as plot, theme, dialogue, and character development by reading and analyzing short works of fiction and writing your own. Assignments are modeled after those taught in undergraduate fiction courses such as the Johns Hopkins Writing Seminars, and in John Gardner's books The Art of Fiction and On Becoming a Novelist. You’ll learn the techniques of seasoned fiction writers and use them to tap into your own imagination to create several pieces of short fiction.

In this creative writing course, we’ll explore poetry, fiction, drama, and non-literary works that use science as inspiration. After reading scientific poems, science fiction short stories, and a play about a scientist’s life, we’ll experiment with your own writing in these genres, using our course readings as models. You will also plan and realize a Capstone Creative Project that combines both art and science.

The saying goes, “You are what you eat,” and in this chemistry class, you’ll learn how true that adage really is. With your classmates, you’ll explore the ways fats, proteins, and carbohydrates fuel our bodies and make energy for everything from taking a breath to reading a book to running a marathon. Through lab experiments and class discussions, you’ll examine the composition of familiar foods, consider the chemical reactions necessary to make them, and explore the role foods play in health and disease.

We all face ethical choices. How do we know what is “good” or “bad,” or “right” or “wrong”? Are there standards of ethics by which we can judge people or their actions? In this course, you'll reflect on common intuitions we have about how humans ought to live our lives. You'll learn to apply analytical reasoning to our intuitions while investigating the debate between moral relativism—which denies ethical distinctions such as right or wrong—and moral realism, which upholds them.

This course will transport you to fantastical worlds where monsters and magic cause all sorts of mayhem. We’ll follow teen protagonists’ journeys through magical lands inspired by diverse, real-world cultures. As these protagonists battle cruel and violent forces, they forge meaningful relationships and uncover secrets that lead them down a path of self-discovery. A variety of creative and essay assignments will enrich your understanding of genre, theme, character development, and figurative language.

Imaginative writing is a powerful tool. As authors, our written pieces can make someone laugh, change their mind, or even help them better understand the world. How can you do this in just a page, a paragraph, or even a single line? In this course we’ll examine the tools and strategies that popular authors use to connect with their audiences, paying special attention to effective short pieces that demonstrate how authors judiciously use a limited amount of space.

Fictional worlds often stick with us even longer than the stories that are set within them. They can be havens or nightmares, futuristic glimpses of what our world could be, or looking-glass critiques of reality. But how are these worlds created? Learn about the process of worldbuilding, discussing its techniques and best practices through the lenses of literature, creative writing, game design, history, and anthropology.

For centuries, readers have been charmed and enchanted by stories about dragons. This course lets you join in the fun by reading novels set in mythical lands and secret mountain caves where fiery dragon battles set the sky ablaze. Dragons form special bonds with humans while conflict in the stories drives the characters to end the mayhem before it’s too late. In this course, you’ll read three unique narratives and one nonfiction selection that explores humans’ attitudes and connections with dragons, from fear to fascination and friendship.

How much is too much technology? What would the world be like if it were run by artificial intelligence? In this course, you’ll read three novels set in worlds where artificial intelligence and robots are involved in every detail of the characters’ lives. We’ll analyze how these robots mimic—and sometimes interfere with—the lives of the people they serve, and evaluate what makes a robot useful, safe, and beneficial for humans. We’ll summarize, compare, and draw inferences between the texts, and practice writing creatively, academically, and persuasively.