Graduate Program
Fiction Core Curriculum
613: Fiction Workshop (Craft of the Novel)
This course will introduce students to the history of the novel as a literary genre and will involve detailed study of structure, characterization, plot, and other techniques associated with the novel form. Students will learn to conceptualize a novel-length project and begin to develop that project in writing. Pre: graduate standing plus 411 for (B); 414 for (C); 412 for (D); or consent.
713: Seminar in Fiction (Genres of Fiction)
This course will focus on the study of one or more genres of fiction, such as mystery, science fiction, noir, young adult, fantasy, historical fiction, etc. Students will explore the history of the genre and learn about associated literary techniques, and will workshop their own works in that genre. Repeatable one time. Pre: 613 or consent.
713: Seminar in Fiction (Short Story)
This course will introduce students to the history and techniques of the short story. In addition to an extensive and varied short story reading list, this course will include a workshop component. Repeatable one time. Pre: 613 or consent.
716: Techniques in Fiction (Narrative Structure)
This course will introduce students to the internal mechanisms and theory of narrative. Readings will include texts in both fiction and critical theory. This course will also include a workshop component. Repeatable one time. Pre: 613 (or concurrent) or consent.
Poetry Core Curriculum
613: Poetry Workshop (Genres of Poetry)
This course will introduce students to one or more genres of poetry, such as Documentary Poetics, Prose Poetry, The Long Poem, the Personal Lyric, Surrealism, etc. For the workshop component of this course, students will write extensively within the assigned genre(s). Pre: graduate standing plus 411 for (B); 414 for (C); 412 for (D); or consent.
613: Poetry Workshop (Crafting the Manuscript)
This course will introduce students to the mechanics and possibilities of organizing a chapbook and book-length manuscript. We will read collections of poetry that employ a variety of structural methods for arranging a manuscript. Pre: graduate standing plus 411 for (B); 414 for (C); 412 for (D); or consent.
713: Seminar in Poetry (International Poetry & Poetics)
This course will introduce students to the history and theory of various national and international poetic movements. In addition, students will focus on poetry in translation and the act of translation itself. For the workshop component of this course, students will write poems based on relevant writing prompts. Repeatable one time. Pre: 613 or consent.
716: Techniques in Poetry (Forms and Theory of Poetry)
This course will introduce students to the history and theory of poetic forms, ranging from traditional to contemporary forms. For the workshop component of this course, students will write and revise poems based on relevant prompts. Repeatable one time. Pre: 613 (or concurrent) or consent.
Undergraduate Creative Writing Courses
ENG 273: Creative Writing and Literature
Emphasizes the reading of imaginative literature as a writer to develop students’ writing skills and practices. Prerequisite: ENG 100 or 101.
ENG 313: Types of Creative Writing
This workshop introduces students to the genres of fiction and poetry. One half of the semester is devoted to writing poetry, the other to writing fiction. ENG 313 is prerequisite for all other courses in creative writing. Prerequisite: FW.
ENG 410: Form and Theory of Poetry
This course provides a foundation in contemporary theories and techniques of poetry through reading the poems, essays, and commentaries of poets. Workshop assignments may be part of the course. Prerequisite: ENG 313 or consent.
ENG 411: Poetry Workshop
This course in advanced poetry writing puts into practice theories and techniques learned in ENG 410. Prerequisite: ENG 410 or consent. The course may be repeated once for credit.
ENG 412: Nonfiction Workshop
Writing nonfiction prose using the techniques of narrative literature found in “new journalism,” essays, literary articles, biography, and in “non-fiction” novels. Prerequisite: ENG 306, 313, or consent. This course may be repeated once for credit.
ENG 413: Form and Theory of Fiction
This course offers students wishing to write fiction at a more advanced level a foundation in contemporary theories and techniques. Reading models and commentaries as well as workshop assignments. Prerequisite: ENG 313 or consent.
ENG 414: Fiction Workshop
This course offers further opportunities to write and refine fiction and to apply what has been learned in ENG 413. Prerequisite: ENG 413 or consent. This course may be repeated once for credit.
ENG 416: Studies in Creative Writing
This is a special topics course on writing in particular genres (nature, travel writing), or writing in forms related to other arts such as dance, the visual arts, video, etc. Prerequisite: ENG 313 and 410, 412, or 413; or consent.