Professors Hanstedt, Heller, Schultz; Associate Professors Almeder, McGlaun
The Creative Writing program provides students with the opportunity to explore their experience and their imaginations in depth through writing and reading poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and other genres. Majors will be prepared for life-ling enjoyment of reading and writing, as well as for graduate study in creative writing or literature, or for careers requiring excellent writing skills and creativity, such as journalism, editing and publishing, law, public relations, and advertising.
The Creative Writing major requires 11 units of work as described below:
Core Requirements (six units):
RHET 125 Texts, Rhetoric and Media
CRWR 215 Creative Writing-Fiction
CRWR 216 Creative Writing-Poetry
CRWR 330 Forms and Genres
CRWR 411 Senior Seminar I
CRWR 412 Senior Seminar II
Workshop Course Electives (one unit); students will take at least one advanced workshop course from the following list:
CRWR 315 Advanced Creative Writing-Fiction
CRWR 316 Advanced Creative Writing-Poetry
CRWR 317 Advanced Creative Writing-Special Topics
Literary Studies Electives (four units): any English 200-level or above, two of which must be at the 300-level or above.
Prerequisites: Before students enroll in 300-level workshops they must have completed the 200-level workshop in the appropriate genre (215 or 216). In addition to Rhetoric 125, either 215 or 216 will serve as a prerequisite for 317. Unless otherwise stated, 300- or 400-level literature courses require as prerequisites English 240 or 250, and one other 200-level course.
Minor in Creative Writing
A minor in Creative Writing requires six units, including RHET 125, CRWR 215, CRWR 216, one advanced workshop course (CRWR 315, 316, or 317), CRWR 330, and one 200-level Literary Studies (ENGL) elective.
215 Creative Writing-Fiction
An introduction to writing the short story. Students will receive responses to their writing from their peers and from the instructor. Students will also read and discuss works by notable fiction writers. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
216 Creative -Poetry
An introduction to writing poetry. Students will receive responses to their writing from their peers and from the instructor. Students will also read and discuss works by notable poets. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
315 Advanced Creative Writing-Fiction
Development of writing skills in fiction, building upon introductory creative writing courses. Student will also read and discuss works by notable fiction writers. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: RHET 125 and CRWR 215.
316 Advanced Creative Writing-Poetry
Development of writing skills in poetry, building upon introductory creative writing courses. Students will also read and discuss works by notable poets. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: RHET 125 & CRWR 216.
317 Advanced Creative Writing-Special Topic
Development of writing skills in a designated genre other than poetry and fiction, building upon introductory creative writing courses. Students will also read and discuss works by notable authors in the genre. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: RHET 125 and wither CRWR 215 or 216.
330 Forms and Genre
The study of poetry and prose structures in order to analyze how creative works are crafted, with special attention to the ways contemporary works respond to traditional forms. Students will read and discuss works by major authors and will experiment with forms by creating original works in both poetry and prose. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: RHET 125, CRWR 215 and 216.
405, 406, 407 Independent Study
Supervised production of a final project, which may be different in kind from those completed for other Creative Writing courses, and may include a student presentation of public reading as well. (1/2, 1, 1/2)
Prerequisites: RHET 125, CRWR 215, 216 and one from 315, 316, or 317, and permission of the department chair.
411 Senior Seminar I
The first part of a two-term capstone for majors in Creative Writing, this course draws together students who have previously written and studied poetry, fiction, and perhaps other genres. Discussion will focus on careful reading of significant texts in a variety of genres, periods, and national literatures. In response, students will produce original work in their chosen genre(s). (1) 6 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: RHET 125, CRWR 215, 216; and one from 315, 316, or 317.
412 Senior Seminar II
The second part of a two-term capstone for majors in creative Writing, this course draws together students who have previously written and studied poetry, fiction, and perhaps other genres. Discussion will focus on careful reading of significant texts in a variety of genres, periods, and national literatures. In response, students will produce original work in their chosen genre (2), culminating in the completion of the senior writing project. (1) 6 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: CRWR 411.
416 Internship
Experience in a field of applied writing through programs such as magazine and book publishing, public relations, government communications, or various aspects of the media. (1)
Prerequisite: RHET 125, CRWR 215, 216 and one from 315, 316, or 317, and permission of the department chair.
495, 496, 497 Honors Project
A program of independent study culminating in a final project. (1/2, 1, 1/2)
Prerequisite: Rhetoric 125, Creative Writing 215, 216 and one from 315, 316, or 317. To qualify for consideration to receive honors in the major, a student in his/her senior year or in the summer prior to the senior year, must work under the guidance of his/her committee. A written proposal and application must be approved by the committee and department. A minimum GPA of 3.4 in the major is required. Creative Writing 495 Honors Project is prerequisite for 497 Honors Project.