English with a Creative Writing Concentration (BA)
The Creative Writing Concentration is offered within the regular English major, and is intended for students interested in and committed both to their own creative work (fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction) and to the study of literature from a writer's point of view.
Curriculum
Students can begin the English with a Creative Writing Concentration (BA) degree at any point in their undergraduate studies, in consultation with their adviser. The major is designed to be flexible, engaging students with a writing workshops in poetry, prose, and creative nonfiction, as well as courses on literature from diverse historical, national, and global traditions. There is no set sequence of courses, though students may wish to begin their introductory workshops (ENGL 317, ENGL 318, and ENGL 319) early on, in order to prepare them for their Advanced Workshops (ENGL 392, ENGL 397, and ENGL 398). Students may also wish to take ENGL 354 Contemporary Critical Theory or ENGL 355 Studies in Literary Criticism early on, since these courses make them more conscious of what it means to read literature. Once students have declared the major, they are encouraged to contact their adviser in the English Department or the Department’s Undergraduate Program Director for further guidance on how best to progress with their studies.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ENGL 317 | The Writing of Poetry | 3 |
| ENGL 318 | The Writing of Fiction | 3 |
| or ENGL 318R | The Writing of Fiction: Writing Rome | |
| ENGL 319 | Writing Creative Nonfiction | 3 |
| or ENGL 357 | Literature from a Writer's Perspective | |
| ENGL 326 | Shakespeare: Selected Major Plays | 3 |
| or ENGL 327 | Studies in Shakespeare | |
| ENGL 354 | Contemporary Critical Theory | 3 |
| or ENGL 355 | Studies in Literary Criticism | |
| English Literature Before 1900 (See List) | 9 | |
At least one course prior to 1700 | ||
At least one course after 1700 | ||
| English Literature Since 1900 (See List) | 3 | |
| ENGL Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Capstone 3 | 6 | |
| Select two of the following: | ||
| Advanced Creative Nonfiction Workshop | ||
| Advanced Writing Workshop: Poetry | ||
| Advanced Writing Workshop: Fiction | ||
| Total Hours | 36 | |
- 1
Depending on the subject matter, the following courses may be included in any one of the historical periods: ENGL 362 Studies in Poetry, ENGL 368 Studies in Drama, ENGL 372 Studies in Fiction, ENGL 379 Studies in American Literature, ENGL 381 Comparative American Literature, ENGL 382 Studies in American Culture, or ENGL 384 Studies in African American Literature.
- 2
UCLR 100E Interpreting Literature - English may count as the required ENGL elective.
- 3
Students may repeat any advanced workshop twice.
English Literature Before 1900
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Choose at least one course prior to 1700 | ||
| ENGL 306A | Studies in Women Writers Before 1700 | 3 |
| ENGL 312A | Studies in World Literature in English Before 1700 | 3 |
| ENGL 313A | Border Literature Before 1700 | 3 |
| ENGL 320 | English Literature: Medieval Period | 3 |
| ENGL 321 | Intro to Anglo-Saxon | 3 |
| ENGL 322 | Chaucer | 3 |
| ENGL 323 | Studies in Medieval Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 325 | British Literature-The Renaissance | 3 |
| ENGL 327 | Studies in Shakespeare | 3 |
| ENGL 328 | Studies in The Renaissance | 3 |
| ENGL 329 | Milton | 3 |
| ENGL 359A | High and Low Culture Before 1700 | 3 |
| ENGL 362A | Studies in Poetry Before 1700 | 3 |
| ENGL 368A | Studies in Drama Before 1700 | 3 |
| ENGL 369A | Women in Drama Before 1700 | 3 |
| ENGL 372A | Studies in Fiction Before 1700 | 3 |
| ENGL 379A | Studies in American Literature Before 1700 | 3 |
| ENGL 381A | Comparative Literature Before 1700 | 3 |
| ENGL 382A | Studies in American Culture Before 1700 | 3 |
| Choose at least one course after 1700 | ||
| ENGL 282B | African-American Literature 1700-1900 | 3 |
| ENGL 306B | Studies in Women Writers 1700-1900 | 3 |
| ENGL 312B | Studies in World Literature in English 1700-1900 | 3 |
| ENGL 313B | Border Literature 1700-1900 | 3 |
| ENGL 338 | Studies in The Romantic Movmnt | 3 |
| ENGL 340 | British Literature - The Victorian Period | 3 |
| ENGL 343 | Studies in the Victorian Period | 3 |
| ENGL 359B | High and Low Culture 1700-1900 | 3 |
| ENGL 362B | Studies in Poetry 1700-1900 | 3 |
| ENGL 363B | Major Author, 1700-1900 | 3 |
| ENGL 368B | Studies in Drama 1700-1900 | 3 |
| ENGL 369B | Women in Drama 1700-1900 | 3 |
| ENGL 372B | Studies in Fiction 1700-1900 | 3 |
| ENGL 375 | American Literature to 1865 | 3 |
| ENGL 376 | American Literature 1865-1914 | 3 |
| ENGL 379B | Studies in American Literature 1700-1900 | 3 |
| ENGL 381B | Comparative American Literature 1700 - 1900 | 3 |
| ENGL 382B | Studies in American Culture 1700-1900 | 3 |
| ENGL 384B | Studies in African American Literature, 1700-1900 | 3 |
English Literature Since 1900
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 282C | African-American Literature since 1900 | 3 |
| ENGL 306C | Studies in Women Writers Since 1900 | 3 |
| ENGL 312C | Studies in World Literature in English Since 1900 | 3 |
| ENGL 313C | Border Literature Since 1900 | 3 |
| ENGL 315C | South Asian Literature Since 1900 | 3 |
| ENGL 316C | Caribbean Literature in English Since 1900 | 3 |
| ENGL 344 | Studies in Modernism | 3 |
| ENGL 345 | British Literature Since 1900 | 3 |
| ENGL 348 | Studies in British Literature Since 1900 | 3 |
| ENGL 351 | Contemporary Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 359C | High and Low Culture Since 1900 | 3 |
| ENGL 361 | Modernist Poetry | 3 |
| ENGL 362C | Studies in Poetry Since 1900 | 3 |
| ENGL 363C | Major Author, After 1900 | 3 |
| ENGL 367 | Modern Drama | 3 |
| ENGL 368C | Studies in Drama Since 1900 | 3 |
| ENGL 371 | The Modern Novel | 3 |
| ENGL 372C | Studies in Fiction Since 1900 | 3 |
| ENGL 377 | American Literature 1914-1945 | 3 |
| ENGL 379 | Studies in American Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 379C | Studies in American Literature Since 1900 | 3 |
| ENGL 381C | Comparative American Literature Since 1900 | 3 |
| ENGL 382C | Studies in American Culture Since 1900 | 3 |
| ENGL 384C | Studies in African American Literature Since 1900 | 3 |
College of Arts and Sciences Graduation Requirements
All Undergraduate students in the College of Arts and Sciences are required to take two Writing Intensive courses (6 credit hours) as well as complete a foreign language requirement at 102-level or higher (3 credit hours) or a language competency test. More information can be found here.
Additional Undergraduate Graduation Requirements
All Undergraduate students are required to complete the University Core, at least one Engaged Learning course, and UNIV 101. SCPS students are not required to take UNIV 101. Nursing students in the Accelerated BSN program are not required to take core or UNIV 101. You can find more information in the University Requirements area.
Learning Outcomes
English Creative Writing Majors will:
- Demonstrate their understanding of literary and cultural theories by incorporating them into their work in precise and effective ways.
- Demonstrate their ability to employ in their own creative works their understanding of the conventions and techniques of particular literary genres.
- Demonstrate their ability to employ in their own creative works their knowledge of textual histories, movements, traditions, and innovations.
- Be able to perform close readings of literature and other kinds of texts, paying careful attention to textual detail.
- Demonstrate an understanding of human diversity as it is represented in literature and other kinds of texts.
- Be able to communicate their ideas clearly, in writing that employs appropriate word choice, diction, structure, and mechanics.
- Be able to create focused and well-supported arguments and analyses.
- Demonstrate an understanding of how texts reflect and affect societies and cultures.