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.

This immersive and collaborative course will introduce you to great essayists including Annie Dillard, Charles Simic, and Richard Rodriguez, and help you find your own distinctive narrative voice. You and your classmates will read, analyze, and discuss works of creative nonfiction, fiction, and poetry, and then experiment with tone and mood, imagery, prose, and a variety of structures and narrative devices while learning how to effectively use figurative language to create your own moving and engaging personal stories.

Want to strengthen your ability to persuade an audience? In this course, you’ll read critical and literary texts that will sharpen your ability to think and write critically about yourself and the world around you. You will write and revise essays of varying lengths, including a capstone essay demonstrating the writing skills and cultural criticism strategies you have developed throughout the course. Writing workshops provide the valuable opportunity to grow with the support and insight of your peers.

What is justice? What is beauty? What is the right thing to do? What is real? How can I be sure of what I know? This philosophy class will cultivate and refine your critical thinking skills by asking you to consider such fundamental questions. The emphasis is not on finding the answers, but on understanding the process of reasoning through a problem. You and your classmates will explore the methods philosophers use to develop and assess potential solutions.

In this course, you will use the drafting and revision skills you learned in The Process of Writing to practice clearly communicating your ideas to an audience.