Creative Writing (CRWR)

Emphasizes the basics of writing fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. No previous writing experience is required. Open to all undergraduate students with priority given to academic sophomores and academic freshmen.

Practice in writing papers of various types under supervision, emphasizing style and expository techniques. Sections limited to 15 students each.

A workshop course focused on the development of the basic craft techniques used in fiction and the discussion of multiple styles and forms in the genre. To seek instructor approval, send the instructor an email with a writing sample and a request specifying the course and section for which you seek approval at least one week prior to the deadline for completing your registration cart.

A workshop course focused on the development of the basic craft techniques used in poetry and the discussion of multiple styles and forms in the genre. To seek instructor approval, send the instructor an email with a writing sample and a request specifying the course and section for which you seek approval at least one week prior to the deadline for completing your registration cart.

Topics in creative writing. Sections limited to 15 students each.

A workshop course focused on the development of the basic craft techniques used in creative nonfiction and the discussion of multiple styles in the genre.To seek instructor approval, send the instructor an email with a writing sample and a request specifying the course and section for which you seek approval at least one week prior to the deadline for completing your registration cart.

A workshop course that explores a particular topic, style, form, subgenre, or theme in creative writing. Some examples include speculative fiction, hybrid forms, travel writing, ekphrastic poetry, and eco/climate fiction. May be repeated with a new topic.

An advanced workshop in creative nonfiction aimed at honing one’s skills in the genre and developing one’s process. Discussion of the professional and practical concerns of the writer will be coupled with a deeper reading of exemplary published works and related theory.

An advanced workshop in writing narrative fiction, with emphasis on short fiction or the novella, for students of demonstrated promise and achievement.

An advanced workshop in fiction aimed at honing one’s skills in the genre and developing one’s process. Discussion of the professional and practical concerns of the writer will be coupled with a deeper reading of exemplary published works and related theory.

An advanced workshop in poetry aimed at honing one’s skills in the genre and developing one’s process. Discussion of the professional and practical concerns of the writer will be coupled with a deeper reading of exemplary published works and related theory.

An advanced workshop in poetry writing for students of demonstrated promise and achievement.

An advanced workshop in writing the screenplay, with emphasis on three-act narrative structure, screenplay formatting, and viewing of contemporary and classic films. To seek instructor approval, send the instructor an email with a writing sample and a request specifying the course and section for which you seek approval at least one week prior to the deadline for completing your registration cart.

Intensive study of a special topic in creative writing with a distinguished writer-in-residence. May be repeated once for credit (with different professor). To seek instructor approval, send the instructor an email with a writing sample and a request specifying the course and section for which you seek approval at least one week prior to the deadline for completing your registration cart.

A tutorial on a topic agreed upon by the student and instructor and approved in advance by the English Department Undergraduate Program Committee. Normally may be taken only once.

Honors study in Creative Writing comprises the completion of a supervised project in the student’s genre and defense of that work in the final weeks of the spring semester. Applications for CRWR Honors are due December 1 of the junior year. Guidance is provided by the student’s advisor at the end of the spring semester of the junior year and work on the project begins over that summer or in the fall of the senior year. Reach out to the director of CRWR for more information. For College provisions governing the Admission to Honors, see catalog section titled Honors and Special Programs.

Honors study in Creative Writing comprises the completion of a supervised project in the student’s genre and defense of that work in the final weeks of the spring semester. Applications for CRWR Honors are due December 1 of the junior year. Guidance is provided by the student’s advisor at the end of the spring semester of the junior year and work on the project begins over that summer or in the fall of the senior year. Reach out to the director of CRWR for more information. For College provisions governing the Admission to Honors, see catalog section titled Honors and Special Programs.