Bachelor of Arts, Majors and Minors
Creative Writing
A Major and Minor are offered
Program Fees: Domestic Students, International Students
Apply for Admission: Forms and Information
General Description
The Creative Writing & Journalism department offers introductory, intermediate and advanced-level courses in book publishing, dramatic writing (including writing for the stage and scriptwriting for radio, television and film), fiction, journalism, and poetry, leading to a B.A. with a Major or Minor in Creative Writing. Students have the opportunity to combine applied and creative writing skills with a background in all aspects of print and electronic publishing including editing, distribution, promotion, and production of print materials. Note: some courses may not be offered every year.
Requirements for a Major
Students must fulfill all the Institutional B.A. degree requirements, including Degree English Requirements and courses listed below:
Years 1 and 2: Minimum of 21 credits (7 courses) of first and second-year courses, including at least one course from three of the five following genres: journalism/non-fiction, poetry, fiction, scriptwriting/drama, or publishing. All senior-level courses require completion of at least one prerequisite course at the 200-level; students must attain a minimum grade of “B-” in the prerequisite course in order to progress to a senior-level course in the same genre. The following courses may be used to satisfy genre requirements:
- Non-fiction: CREW 100, 200, 201, 202
- Poetry: CREW 110, 210, 211, 212
- Fiction: CREW 120, 220, 221
- Publishing: CREW 230
- Drama: CREW 140, 240, 241
Years 3 and 4: Minimum of 30 credits (10 courses) of upper-level courses numbered 300 and above, including at least one course from three of the five following genres (journalism/non-fiction, poetry, fiction, scriptwriting/drama, or publishing). The following courses may be used to satisfy genre requirements:
- Non-fiction: CREW 300, 301, 400, 401, 452*; ENGL 315.
- Poetry: CREW 310, 311, 312, 410 .
- Fiction: CREW 320, 321, 420, 421, 422.
- Publishing: CREW 330, 331, 430, 431, 452*.
- Drama: CREW 340, 341, 440, 441, 442, 443.
- Directed Studies courses (CREW 450 and 451) may, depending on the nature of the project, be used to satisfy genre requirements for any of the five genres.
* CREW 452 can be used to meet either Non-fiction or Publishing categories depending on the nature of the student's project.
Note: Upper-level Creative Writing (CREW) courses can be taken no more than twice for credit.
Requirements for a Minor
Students must fulfill all the Institutional B.A. degree requirements, including Degree English Requirements and courses listed below:
Years 1 and 2: Minimum 6 credits from CREW 100, 110, 120, 140. Minimum 6 credits from CREW 200, 201, 202, 210, 211, 212, 220, 221, 230, 240, 241, and/or ENGL 290. All senior-level courses require completion of at least one prerequisite course at the 200-level; students must attain a minimum grade of “B-” in the prerequisite course in order to progress to a senior-level course in the same genre.
Years 3 and 4: Minimum 18 credits from Creative Writing and Journalism courses numbered 300 or higher. Students taking CREW 300 and/or 301 may use ENGL 315 as part of their upper-level credits.
Note: Upper-level Creative Writing (CREW) courses can be taken no more than twice for credit.
Recommended Electives
ENGL 290 or any upper-level English course, particularly ENGL 315, 316, and 318, as well as courses in Art, Graphics, Media Studies, Music or Theatre are recommended. Students wishing to pursue careers in journalism should consider taking upper-level courses in History, Political Science, Economics, Philosophy, Sociology, or Women’s Studies.
Updated October 30, 2009