Julia Boin
-
Bridgerton’s “feminism” falls short of real solidarity
/
Spoilers Ahead! Bridgerton is a show that attempts to be feminist, but often falls short, favouring half-hearted speeches about feminism instead of solidarity between all women for collective liberation. One of the best examples of this is the character of Penelope Bridgerton. Penelope is the author of the Lady Whistledown gossip columns, where she comments on the lives of those…
-
AI Suspicion Shapes Student Writing Habits at Laurier University
/
As the winter 2026 semester began, many Laurier students received their syllabi and saw their professors’ stances on AI use in the classroom. Some say AI is acceptable, but only if used to generate ideas and nothing more. Others are fully against its use. Regardless of the policy, however, students say AI is still being used—often in ways that violate…
-
Giving Classic Literature a chance.
/
Classic literature is often referred to as boring or stuffy, with many young readers today choosing to step away from this period of literature. However, this reputation is unfair. Beneath their age and formal language, classic books are filled with humour, emotion, and deeply human experiences that remain relevant today. Far from being “stuffy,” classic literature can be heartfelt, surprisingly silly,…
-
Taylor Swift’s “Fate of Ophelia” Misses the Point of Shakespeare’s Tragic Heroine
/
The title character of this song, Ophelia from Hamlet, is mischaracterized in the lyrics of the track The song Fate of Ophelia, written by Taylor Swift, is what I would consider a fun listen. It has a great rhythm and is fun to dance to. However, the title character of this song, Ophelia from Hamlet,…
-
Why Modern Rom-Coms Have Lost Their Spark
/
Today’s romantic comedies rely on shortcuts, tropes, and shallow characters Romantic comedies, or rom-coms, have been a staple genre in the film industry for years, with a golden age during the 1990s and early 2000s. In recent years, however, audiences have noticed that this genre is missing the magic that once made them so…
-
Superman (2025): A Beacon of Hope amid crises
/
This Summer, the latest Superman movie, directed by James Gunn, crashed into theatre with a hopeful message. Recently, with the abundance of tragic news across the globe, it is easy to feel hopeless. This movie acts as a beacon in the darkness, offering a kinder perspective to its viewers. In the film, many of the…
Featured stories
The Tie That Binds WLU Since 1926
Serving the Waterloo campus, The Cord seeks to provide students with relevant, up to date stories. We’re always interested in having more volunteer writers, photographers and graphic designers.