Apr 23, 2024  
Course Catalog 2022-2023 
    
Course Catalog 2022-2023 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Creative Writing Major


The major consists of a minimum of 10 full courses (or the equivalent).

Note: Students must earn minimum grades of C- or P for all courses that apply toward the major.


arrow View the catalog page for the Creative Writing Program.   

arrow View major application information.

Summary of Requirements


Notes:

  • Only one Practical Studies course (e.g. CRWR 450 ) may apply to the major.
  • Students must complete creative writing courses in at least two genres.
  • Students must take courses at the 200- and 300-level with at least three different instructors.

Transfer of Credit


Upon acceptance to the College, transfer students with an interest in Creative Writing should contact the director of Creative Writing to discuss 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 upper-level workshops. No more than two full courses of transfer credit may be applied toward the Creative Writing Major.  Transfer courses may be applied toward the textual studies requirement, the in-program course requirement, or a combination of these.

Application to the Major


Students may apply to the major in their second or third year once they have, at minimum:

  • satisfactorily completed two 200-level courses, preferably in different genres, or
  • satisfactorily completed one 100-level course and one 200-level course, and are in the process of completing a second 200-level course in good standing, or
  • (for transfer students only) satisfactorily completed one 200-level course and have demonstrated that they have satisfactorily completed the equivalent of another 200-level creative writing course at another institution.

The program accepts applications to the major in the middle of each semester. The application is both rigorous and holistic, assessing students’ development over three main areas: professionalism, workshop citizenship, and artistic commitment. Typically, the application requires a reflection on the student’s experiences in creative writing thus far, a proposed course of study in the major, either a close reading of a work of literature or an example of a feedback letter written to a peer, and a portfolio. Applications are reviewed by the entire creative writing teaching faculty.

Students not accepted into the major may often still complete the creative writing minor.

Creative Writing Major Course Lists


Textual Studies Requirement


Return to the summary of requirements.

Students should consult with their advisors when selecting textual studies courses.

Growing as a writer depends upon growing as a reader. The textual studies requirement asks students to deepen their knowledge of the traditions and current practices that shape the genres in which they write. The requirement may be met by courses in literature, narrative, or poetics (generally at the 200-level and above) offered by the departments of Africana studies, cinema studies, comparative literature, English, theater, and language departments such as French and Italian and East Asian studies. Textual studies credit may, in some cases, be considered for courses outside of these departments but within the Arts and Humanities (ARHU) division of the college.

Students in their fourth (and sometimes their third) year may choose to substitute one of the textual studies courses for a practical studies course such as CRWR 450  or various other practica.