Prompting Creativity: Using Generative AI in the Humanities Classroom

In this session, we share a collaborative instructional project that empowered students in an Honors world literature course to use generative AI for creative scriptwriting. Students selected historical literary figures and, using prompt engineering techniques, crafted dialogues between either an author they read over the semester or a character from readings like Gregor Samsa in Kafka’s Metamorphosis, and a contemporary individual—exploring timeless themes through a modern lens. We will demonstrate how we introduced prompt writing as a skill, provided students with guiding templates, and facilitated their engagement with ethical AI use and critical thinking. Participants will view sample student-generated content and explore how generative tools like ChatGPT can be thoughtfully integrated into humanities curriculum without diminishing scholarly rigor. This session blends practical guidance with reflective discussion. Attendees will leave with example prompts, classroom integration strategies, and ideas for assessment. We aim to inspire educators to adopt generative AI not as a novelty, but as a tool intentionally used for deepening engagement, fostering creativity, and reimagining how students interact with texts.