Literature and Creative Writing Major

HFA PEAK

The Literature and Creative Writing major offers study in the areas of American, British, and World literature and creative writing (poetry, fiction, and nonfiction). The major is designed for any student with a serious interest in literature and writing, including those who wish to enter a Ph.D. or Master of Fine Arts program.

Major Requirements

The Literature and Creative Writing major consists of 36 credits, to include:

Introduction to the Major

Complete the following course (3 credits):

ENG-150Ways of Reading

3 credits

Studies in Creative Writing

Choose three courses from the following:

COM-111Foundations of Journalism: From Guttenberg to Instagram

3 credits

COM-311Writing Feature Stories

3 credits

COM-411Immersive Journalism

3 credits

ENG-240Creative Writing—Workshop in Poetry

3 credits

ENG-250Creative Writing—Workshop in Fiction

3 credits

ENG-260Creative Writing—Craft

3 credits

ENG-340Creative Writing—Advanced Workshop in Poetry

3 credits

ENG-350Creative Writing—Advanced Workshop in Fiction

3 credits

ENG-360Creative Writing—Advanced Craft

3 credits

IND-305.2Winter Wilderness Experience

4 credits

Studies in Literary History

Complete one course from each of three areas, as follows:

Complete one course in British Literature (3 credits):

ENG-255Topics in Literature—British

3 credits

ENG-355Advanced Topics in Literature—British

3 credits

IND-332London: Art/History/Literature

3 credits

Complete one course in American Literature (3 credits):

ENG-239Visions of Environment

3 credits

ENG-265Topics in Literature—American

3 credits

ENG-365Advanced Topics in Literature—America

3 credits

ENG-368The Prison Experience

3 credits

Complete one course in Postcolonial Literature (3 credits):

ENG-275Topics in Literature—Postcolonial

3 credits

ENG-375Advanced Topics in Literature—Postcolonial

3 credits

Elective Credits in Literature and Creative Writing (12 credits)

Complete any four ENG courses.

Students may also apply 3 credits from each of the following courses toward this elective category (if not applied elsewhere):

IND-305.1Winter Wilderness Experience

2 credits

IND-305.2Winter Wilderness Experience

4 credits

IND-332London: Art/History/Literature

3 credits

IND-333London: Art/History/Literature

4 credits

Senior Capstone in Literature and Creative Writing

ENG-490Senior Capstone in Literature and Creative Writing

3 credits

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this major, students will be able to:

1)  Describe how elements of texts, such as language, form, and purpose, inform their overall meaning or aesthetic achievement;

2)  Demonstrate how texts reflect or complicate political, social, and cultural implications within original and trans-historical contexts;

3)  Apply elements of craft to create meaningful poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction that engages with intersections of cultures and/or socio-politics;

4)  Analyze how marginalized communities engage questions of justice, power, and aesthetics through texts; and

5)  Demonstrate proficiency in locating, evaluating, and integrating sources into literary-analytical or creative writing.