UMBC Department of English adds course on Writing with AI

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 17:09:31 -0400
ai, class, course, engl, english, prompt, root-beer, writing

UMBC’s Department of English has added a new course, ENGL 211 Writing with AI. The course is being taught for the first time this Fall by Dr. Tanya Olsen, a Senior Lecturer and the Director of the Department's Writing and Rhetoric Division. Here is the description from UMBC's course catalog.

What if AI could help you solve problems, generate ideas, or tackle challenges simply by asking the right questions? This course introduces prompt writing - the art of crafting clear, purposeful inputs to guide AI tools, which is rooted in rhetorical skills. Rather than replacing human thinking, AI can enhance the creativity and analysis you bring to any writing situation. Students will master a range of prompt writing techniques while critically engaging with AI to design prompts for personal, academic, and professional purposes.