Course Catalog 2010-2011 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Creative Writing
|
|
 Return to: College of Arts and Sciences
Sylvia Watanabe, Associate Professor, Program Co-Director, Sem I
Dan Chaon, Pauline Delaney Associate Professor, Program Co-Director, Sem II
Pamela Alexander, Associate Professor
Kazim Ali, Assistant Professor
Jessica Grim, Lecturer
Chelsey Johnson, Visiting Assistant Professor
Bernard Matambo, Visiting Assistant Professor
Lynn Powell, Visiting Assistant Professor
David Walker, Professor of English
Program Coordinator: Suzanne Overstreet, x56567
Combining the breadth of a liberal arts education with rigorous studio training, the creative writing major emphasizes individual mentoring at the advanced level through small, juried workshops (with a maximum enrollment of 12) and independent projects directed by program faculty. While primarily focused on five genres: fiction, poetry, nonfiction, playwriting, and screenwriting, the major also provides opportunities for cross-disciplinary work with the other arts. Through a variety of practica, both on campus and off, students can acquire practical, hands-on experience in writing-related internships.
|
Major
The Creative Writing major requires 37 hours of coursework, distributed as follows: the 201 gateway (4 credit hours), three 300-level workshops (12 credit hours), 5 hours of electives, the capstone, and an additional 12 hours in textual studies. Students who declare the major will usually have completed 201 and been admitted to their first 300-level workshop. No more than one 100-level course will count as a major elective. Students must earn a minimum of a C-, P, or CR in courses to be counted toward the major.
Courses Requiring Applications
Admittance to all workshops and projects, required by the major, is by application only. At the end of each term, applications are due on the final day of classes. Please see the program website for information on submission deadlines and to download forms.
The 201 Gateway:
In CRWR 201, students are given the opportunity to explore a variety of poetry and prose genres and the intersections among them. Successful completion of 201 is a pre-requisite for 310 (poetry) and 320 (fiction), as well as a number of other 300-level workshops.
Upper Division:
As with 201, admittance to the 300-level workshops is based on a juried selection process requiring the submission of a completed application and recent work sample. The quality of the work sample is the primary criterion for selection, and students who hope to major in Creative Writing should focus on producing a strong body of work in 201 and other lower division Creative Writing courses.
Independent Projects and Other Variable Credit Courses:
An application and work sample are required for most 400-level courses. Please check the course catalog for pre-requisites.
Textual Studies
This 12-hour requirement gives majors the opportunity to explore, through various disciplinary perspectives, the genres in which they are writing. The requirement may be met by literature, theory, and film courses (generally at the 200-level and above) offered by English, the language departments, Comparative Literature, Cinema Studies, and other disciplines. While there are many ways of filling this requirement, it is strongly recommended that majors consult with their advisors in selecting courses related to the genres in which they are most interested.
Elective Credit
There are a variety of options for filling this requirement:
- CRWR 110 or 120
- Elective courses at the 200-level
- Cross-referenced courses offered by other programs and departments
- Transfer of credits for work completed outside of Oberlin
- Elective workshops at the 400-level
- Variable credit courses at the 400-level (e.g., CRWR 475, 485)
Capstone
A minimum of 4 hours committed to a creative project, incorporating a substantial amount of independent work and designed in consultation with a faculty advisor, is required for completion of this requirement. Most majors will fill this requirement by completing a semester-long, four-credit independent project (CRWR 470). It is strongly recommended that majors complete two 300-level workshops, including at least one in a related genre, before signing up for 470.
Playwriting Concentration
For concentrators in playwriting, the 37 credits of the major would be reconfigured as follows:
- In Creative Writing, 20 hours (thirteen at the 300- or 400-level), to include CrWr 201, 330, two advanced projects in playwriting and four elective credits.
- In English, Theater and other departments, at least 14 hours, including nine in literature (six of which must focus on drama); and five in acting, design, or technical theater.
- The remaining 3 hours may be in any of the above areas.
Minor
The minor consists of five courses offered by Creative Writing, totaling at least 15 hours. One of these courses must be at the 300-level (or above). A minimum grade of C-, P, or CR is required in courses to be counted toward the minor. Cross-referenced courses
- In Rhetoric: Rhet 303 Writing About Travel (not offered in 2010-2011)
Transfer of Credit
Upon acceptance to the College, transfer students with an interest in Creative Writing should consult one of the co-directors for approval of previous coursework. Third-year transfer students will find it almost impossible to complete the major in four semesters and might consider the minor. While credit is normally given for Creative Writing courses taken elsewhere, equivalent credit is almost never given for any of the four required workshops. Only six of the 12 hours in this requirement may be transferred. Winter Term
Please check with Suzanne Overstreet, the Creative Writing Program Coordinator, for a list of faculty available to sponsor winter term projects. Contests and Awards
Each spring the Creative Writing Program sponsors several college-wide contests in poetry and prose. All currently enrolled Oberlin students are encouraged to submit their work. The winning entries and their authors will be celebrated at an awards reading. Please check the program website to obtain information on contest rules and deadlines. |
Return to: College of Arts and Sciences
|
