Banned Books

This literature course for creative writers explores the history, themes, and cultural impact of banned and challenged books. From classics to contemporary texts, you’ll read authors and groups whose voices have been silenced, censored, or condemned, and examine why their stories continue to resonate. Through critical and creative engagement with contemporary banned books, you’ll reflect on the role of literature in shaping society and defending free expression. You'll also connect the themes of these texts to your own creative practice, considering how storytelling can be a powerful act of resistance. If you’re passionate about literature’s ability to challenge, transform, and endure, this course invites you to critically examine who gets to speak—and why that matters.