Creative Writing

The Creative Writing track in the English major is designed for students who wish to explore the writing of poetry, fiction, and literary nonfiction; improve their editorial skills; and examine works of literature through the lens of craft.

The track is flexible in both genre and sequence, and its requirements can be fulfilled by a variety of workshops and specialized courses such as Creative Writing and the Environment, Creative Writing and Social Change, and Creative Writing from Real Life. In Forms of Fiction, Forms of Literary Nonfiction, and Forms of Poetry, students increase their understanding of the techniques involved in the creation of the literary arts, from meter to point of view. Literature classes in the chosen genre continue to expand students' reading, writing, and critical thinking skills, as well as their knowledge of both canonical and contemporary works.

All students in the Creative Writing track complete a capstone course that will result in a substantial body of work. 

Requirements

Creative Writing Curriculum Plan 

  • A minimum of 36 credit hours is required, with at least 15 hours in the chosen track.
  • English Composition (ENGL 1001) is prerequisite to any Literary and Cultural Studies coursework.
  • Although not required, it is highly recommended to complete the composition sequence (ENGL 2089: Intermediate Composition or equivalent) prior to beginning Literary and Cultural Studies coursework.

Core Courses for All English Majors 

Take One Creative Writing Intro Course   

  • ENGL 2010 - Intro/Creative Writing: Poetry & Prose
  • ENGL 2011 - Intro/Creative Writing: Fiction
  • ENGL 2013 - Intro to Creative Nonfiction
  • ENGL 2015 - Introduction to Screenwriting
  • ENGL 2017 - Intro/Creative Writing: Poetry
  • ENGL 2027 - Intro/Creative Writing: Drama

Take One Creative Writing Forms Course

  • ENGL 3085 - Forms of Poetry
  • ENGL 3086 - Forms of Fiction
  • ENGL 3087 - Forms of Creative Nonfiction 

Take Two Intermediate Creative Writing Courses

  • ENGL 3015 - Poetry and Sound
  • ENGL 3022 - Writing Sci-Fi and Fantasy 
  • ENGL 3023 - Writing the Mystery
  • ENGL 3025 - Writing Historical Fiction
  • ENGL 3026 - Writing Fiction: Global Vision
  • ENGL 3027 - Writing Comic Fiction
  • ENGL 3030 - Writing the Love Poem
  • ENGL 3031 - The Poet as Actor: Persona Poems
  • ENGL 3032 - Music and Poetry
  • ENGL 3033 - Writing Prose Poetry & Flash Fiction 
  • ENGL 3034 - Audiopoetics
  • ENGL 3049 - Creative Writing/Social Change
  • ENGL 3053 - Writing Fiction: Digital Age
  • ENGL 3054  - Creative Writing Pedagogy
  • ENGL 3055 - Creative Writing from Real Lif
  • ENGL 3056 - Writing Comic Poetry and Prose
  • ENGL 3079 - Creative Writing and the Environment
  • ENGL 3085 - Forms of Poetry
  • ENGL 3086 - Forms of Fiction
  • ENGL 3087 - Forms of Creative Nonfiction
  • ENGL 3096 - Creative Writing & Literary Publishing
  • ENGL 3101 - Reading and Writing Memoir
  • ENGL 3102 - Podcasting/Audio Storytelling
  • ENGL 3103 - Creative Writing in Community
  • ENGL 3104 - Poetic Justice
  • ENGL 3105 - Writing Landscapes: Poetry
  • ENGL 4012 - Intermediate CW: Ficiton
  • ENGL 4013 - Intermediate CW Nonfiction
  • ENGL 4017 - Intermediate CW: Poetry

Take Two Additional ENGL Courses at 2000+ Level (from any ENGL track)

Take One Creative Writing Capstone

  • ENGL 5112 - Senior Writing Seminar: Fiction
  • ENGL 5113 - Senior Writing Seminar: Creative Nonfiction  
  • ENGL 5114 - Senior Writing Seminar: Creative Writing and Research
  • ENGL 5115 - Senior Writing Seminar: Hybrid Forms
  • ENGL 5117 - Senior Writing Seminar: Poetry