Creative Writing, B.F.A

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The B.F.A. in Creative Writing is a pre-professional degree that offers students intensive training in the writing of fiction, poetry, drama, creative nonfiction, and screenplays. In addition to courses in creative writing, students are required to write a Senior thesis, to take courses in literature, to complete a writing-related internship, and to present their work in a solo reading during their final year.

Program Student Learning Outcomes:

Creative Writing B.F.A. students will be able to:

   • demonstrate competence to write and/or speak clearly in a variety of frameworks and genres.
   • demonstrate the ability to think critically, creatively, and/or construct coherent arguments using claims and reasons supported by credible sources.
   • demonstrate drafting, editing, and publishing skills and practices of a writer and critic, research “appropriate” publishing outlets for their writing, and draft an “appropriate” query letter and manuscript sample to send to publishers.
   • participate in writing activities that support the campus, local, and greater writing community through their work and various literary arts activities.

Program Requirements

Required Courses: 17 Credits

COMP 201 - Writing Arguments 4 Credit(s)
COMP 202 - Introduction to Creative Writing 4 Credit(s)
LITR 300 - Literary Analysis & Research 3 Credit(s)
LITR 200 - Literary Traditions 3 Credit(s)
or
LITR 201 - Patterns of Literature 3 Credit(s)

Intermediate Courses: 16 Credits

Select Four

COMP 302 - Fiction Workshop I 4 Credit(s)
COMP 303 - Poetry Workshop I 4 Credit(s)
COMP 306 - Playwriting: Short Plays 4 Credit(s)
COMP 307 - Creative Nonfiction Workshop I 4 Credit(s)
COMP 308 - Writing Fiction for Children 4 Credit(s)
COMP 309 - Screenwriting Workshop I 4 Credit(s)
COMP 310 - Playwriting: Full-length Plays 4 Credit(s)
COMP 395 - Special Topics 1-12 Credit(s) (Creative)

Advanced Courses: 8 Credits

Select Two

COMP 412 - Fiction Workshop II 4 Credit(s)
COMP 413 - Poetry Workshop II 4 Credit(s)
COMP 416 - Playwriting Workshop II 4 Credit(s)
COMP 417 - Creative Nonfiction Workshop II 4 Credit(s)
COMP 419 - Screenwriting Workshop II 4 Credit(s)

Capstone Project: 3 Credits

COMP 490 - Writing Supervision 3 Credit(s)

Applied Writing Course: 3-4 Credits

Select One

COMP 301 - Advanced Research Writing 4 Credit(s)
COMP 304 - Technical Writing 4 Credit(s)
COMP 305 - Editing and Revising 4 Credit(s)
COMP 311 - Writing in a Digital Age 4 Credit(s)
COMP 312 - Writing in New Media 4 Credit(s)
COMP 316 - Magazine Article Writing 4 Credit(s)
COMP 318 - Writing for the Arts 4 Credit(s)
COMP 321 - Writing about the Environment 4 Credit(s)
COMP 322 - Grant Writing 4 Credit(s)
COMP 395 - Special Topics 1-12 Credit(s) (Applied)
COMP 401 - Directed Professional Writing 3 Credit(s)
COMM 308 - Writing for Mass Communication 3 Credit(s)

Literature Electives: 12 Credits

Four LITR courses at the 300/400/500 level.*

*May substitute one 300/400/500-level LNGS course for one literature course

Note(s)

Students are required to give a public reading during their final year. In addition to formal instruction, all students are expected to attend public readings of creative works, assist with literary publications, and read extensively in her/his chosen genres.