As a computer science (CS) major, I spend most of my time writing code, debugging programs, and thinking about algorithms. It requires precision and logic: every semicolon matters; every function needs to return the right value. But this semester, I decided to take Detective Fiction with Professor Jesse Rosenthal, and it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve made at Hopkins. Not just because I get to read about detectives solving mysteries, but because it’s also given me a space to think creatively and engage with stories in a way my CS classes don’t always allow.
My first writing intensive course was Oral Presentations, which fulfilled one of the two writing requirements for my CS degree. Through that class I was able to do a presentation on noir films, which I’m a huge fan of. As I learned more about the genre, I became increasingly more curious about its origins in detective Pulp Fiction. And my favorite superhero? Batman. I grew up obsessed with the detective side of Batman, an integral part of his character. Playing Batman Arkham games showed me how nuanced detection can really be. So, when I saw Detective Fiction listed as a writing intensive course, it felt like the perfect fit. I could knock out my second writing requirement while diving into the genre that inspired the noir films and detective heroes I love.
The class itself is split into two sections: lectures on Mondays and Wednesdays with Professor Rosenthal, and discussion sessions on Fridays with our TA. The lectures cover whatever we’re reading that week—we just wrapped up “Gaudy Night” by Dorothy L. Sayers—and are moving on to “The Maltese Falcon” by Dashiell Hammett, which I’m particularly excited about since Hammett is one of the pioneers of detective Pulp Fiction. I love our discussion sections. We talk about parts of the book we found compelling, questions we have, or moments we want to hear other’s thoughts on. These sessions are conversational and laid-back, which is a lot of fun.
What I enjoy the most about the class is hearing my classmates’ opinions. During discussions, someone might bring up a dialogue I didn’t think twice about, and suddenly it becomes this whole topic of discussion. Or someone will mention something they were confused about, and I’d have had the same question, and we’ll work through it together. It’s refreshing to be in a space where there’s no single “right answer.” In Detective Fiction, interpretation is subjective, and that’s what makes it so engaging. You get to explore different perspectives, hear what people like or dislike, and challenge your own understanding of the text.
As a CS student, this class has been a much-needed creative outlet. My other courses this semester are heavy on coding assignments and technical concepts. They’re challenging and rewarding in their own way, but they don’t leave much room for creativity or open-ended thinking. Detective Fiction, on the other hand, lets me engage with stories, analyze characters, and think about themes like justice, morality, and human nature. It’s a completely different kind of mental exercise, and I’ve realized how important it is to balance the rigid structure of computer science with the flexibility of humanities.
If you’re a STEM major like me, I can’t recommend enough thinking hard about the humanities courses you join. It’s easy to get tunnel vision and only focus on your major’s requirements and carelessly pick classes to fulfill your humanities requirements, but stepping outside that mindset has been incredibly rewarding. Detective Fiction has helped me stay creative, connect with narratives in a meaningful way, and connect with a community of people who are just as excited to talk about books as I am.
So, if you’re looking for a class that’ll challenge you in a different way, give you a break from problem sets, or just let you explore a genre you’re passionate about, I’d say go for it. You might just find a new side of yourself you didn’t know was there—or at the very least, you’ll get to read some great books and have some fun discussions along the way.
