English: Creative Writing
Degree: B.A., English
Department of English and Linguistics
English faculty strive to inspire in students a love for literature and for writing, to help students develop analytical and critical skills, and to guide students in improving their writing.
The Bachelor of Arts degree in English offers courses appropriate to students at all levels. Except for ENGL 295 Methods of Advanced Literary Studies, courses on the 200-level are designed for students from all disciplines. Courses on the 300-level may also appeal to a diverse audience but require a more sophisticated study of texts and more advanced writing. Courses on the 400-level offer a seminar experience in which students study a topic or theme in depth, frequently take charge of class discussions, and produce a major paper or project. To facilitate discussion and individual attention, the department limits enrollment in many classes to 15 to 25 students.
Students who pursue a major in English become familiar with the language, with literary theory, and with a variety of literatures in the language, including works outside the recognized canons. They practice literary and linguistic analysis, and they develop as writers of different modes and genres.
Many juniors and seniors enroll in internships to test classroom knowledge in the outside world and to explore career interests. Juniors and seniors with appropriate academic standing may also elect to pursue individual studies. An increasing number of students choose to study abroad.
Major Requirements
Creative Writing Concentration
The Creative Writing Concentration offers students the opportunity to focus on the craft and art of writing, editing, and analyzing their own original work, the work of established writers, and peer writers.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| LING 101B | Introduction to Linguistics | 3 |
| ENGL 295 | Methods of Advanced Literary Studies | 3 |
| Select five creative writing courses 1 | 15 | |
| Select one 300-level linguistics course | 3 | |
| Select three 300-level literature courses 2 | 9 | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| News Journalism | ||
Any 300- or 400-level English, linguistics and journalism courses, including department-sponsored internships and individual studies | ||
| Total Credits | 36 | |
| 1 | Including ENGL 302A Introduction to Creative Writing, ENGL 314 The Literary Journal: Professional Practice in Publishing and Editing, and ENGL 470 Seminar in Creative Writing. |
| 2 | Must include at least: one course in pre-1900 literature, one course in post-1900 literature, and one course in literature of historically marginalized groups. |
General Education Requirements
The general education requirements for Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degrees apply to all students who are seeking to earn an undergraduate B.A., B.S. or B.S.Ed. degree.
Students seeking a Bachelor of Liberal Studies degree have a separate set of BLS general education requirements.
Electives
Elective courses are those that are not needed to fulfill a general education requirement or major program requirement but are chosen by the student to complete the 120 credits required for graduation with a B.A./B.S./B.S.Ed. degree or the BLS degree. These courses may be taken graded or pass/fail (or S/U in the case of physical education and 100-level dance). No student in a regular B.A./B.S./B.S.Ed. program may count more than 60 credits in a single discipline toward the 120 credits required for graduation.
Total Credits Required for the Degree: 120 credits
English and Linguistics Department
Jonathan Levin, Chair
Maya Mathur, Associate Chair
Marie E. McAllister, Career Advisor (English)
Colin T. Rafferty, Career Advisor (Creative Writing)
Janie Lee, Career Advisor (Linguistics)
Faculty
(The person’s subject field is indicated in parentheses.)
Professors
Antonio Barrenechea (English)
Christofer C. Foss (English)
Teresa A. Kennedy (English)
Jonathan Levin (English)
Eric G. Lorentzen (English)
Maya Mathur (English)
Marie E. McAllister (English)
Colin T. Rafferty (English)
Gary N. Richards (English)
Mara N. Scanlon (English)
Associate Professors
Susanne Brenta Blevins (English)
Laura L. Bylenok (English)
Shumona Dasgupta (English)
Paul D. Fallon (Linguistics)
Mary Katherine Haffey (English)
Benjamin J. LaBreche (English)
Janie Lee (Linguistics)
Clarence W. Tweedy, III (English)
Assistant Professors
Ray J. Levy (English)