English: Writing Curiosity

Intensive instruction and practice in writing, reading, research, and revision through the exploration of a theme related to the instructor's expertise. Topics vary by offering; periodic offering at intervals that may exceed four years.

Sophomores, juniors and seniors only PACE students by permission and override

We will take the curricular necessity of an orientation to scholarly research as an excuse to consider the question of curiosity more broadly, as a feature of our way of thinking and as a fundamental element of the university experience. In other words, since you have to learn to do research, let's figure out why that's interesting and worthwhile: Why come to college if not to find things out? Why support a vast library if not to probe its secrets? Why write papers if not out of curiosity? We will read accounts of inquiry and curiosity in a variety of disciplines, ranging from literary pursuits to the hard sciences. We will also examine some of our cultural myths and stories about curiosity, whether that's something that "kills the cat" or something that exposes "secrets that Man was not meant to know."

Regular preparation of a range of readings and participation in seminar discussion will be the main shared responsibilities from week to week. You will also write a few essays and exercises, culminating in a research paper that passes through a few process stages before it's finished. I hope you will arrive in the class already curious about a variety of things that extend into at least some academic subjects. Part of your effort in the class will be encouraging your own curiosity; another part will be in conveying your curiosity to others.

Most of your grade will come from short writing assignments and the final research paper. Class participation will also be a significant factor in the grade.