Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing
The program in creative writing seeks to help students develop their creative potential, especially in writing; explore the practical aspects of publishing and getting published; learn a respect for and an understanding of language; appreciate and profit from a study of our common literary heritage; increase their awareness of and empathy for diverse peoples and cultures; discover the relevance of ideas and values found in their reading; and learn to think critically and evaluate wisely.
Creative writing majors are prepared for a variety of careers in advertising, communications, education, government, management, personnel work, public relations, and sales. A degree in creative writing also provides an excellent undergraduate preparation for the student planning to pursue graduate study of business, law, or the humanities.
The degree program in creative writing requires 45 hours in English:
- ENGL 2043 Introduction to Creative Writing
- ENGL 2063 Introduction to Literary Studies
- ENGL 3043 Literary Editing and Publishing
- ENGL 3073 Creative Nonfiction Workshop
- ENGL 3083 Fiction Workshop
- ENGL 3093 Poetry Workshop
- ENGL 3313 American Literature to 1900
- ENGL 3323 Modern American Literature
- ENGL 3413 British Literature to 1800
- ENGL 3423 British Literature since 1800
- ENGL 4093 Seminar in Creative Writing
- ENGL 4813 Senior Project in Creative Writing
- and 9 credit hours of English electives
The creative writing major must complete two semesters in one foreign language or have completed two years of language study in high school with grades of "C" or better.
Students who plan to use a creative writing degree as a preparation for law school are encouraged to complete some of the following electives in addition to their required courses:
- BLAW 2033 Legal Environment of Business
- CJ 2043 Crime and Delinquency/SOC 2043 Crime and Delinquency
- CJ 3023 Judicial Process/POLS 3023 Judicial Process
- CJ 4023 Law and the Legal System
- COMM 2003 Public Speaking
- COMM 2111 Debate Practicum- COMM 2121 Debate Practicum
- COMM 4153 Persuasive Theory and Audience Analysis
- JOUR 4123 Laws of Communication
- PHIL 3103 Logic
- POLS 4043 American Constitutional Law
- PSY 2003 General Psychology
Curriculum
The matrix below is a sample plan for all coursework required for this program.
| Fall | Credits |
|---|---|
| ENGL 1013 Composition I 1 |
3 |
| SS 1XXX Social Science Courses 1 |
6 |
| MATH XXXX 1 |
3 |
| Beginning Language I 5 |
3 |
| TECH 1001 Orientation to the University | 1 |
| Total Hours | 16 |
| Spring | Credits |
|---|---|
| ENGL 1023 Composition II 1 |
3 |
| FAH 1XXX Fine Arts and Humanities Courses 1 |
3 |
| SCIL 1XXX SCIENCE WITH LABORATORY 1 |
4 |
| Beginning Language II 5 |
3 |
| Elective 3 |
3 |
| Total Hours | 16 |
| Fall | Credits |
|---|---|
| USHG 1XXX U S HISTORY & GOVERNMENT 1 |
3 |
| FAH 1XXX Fine Arts and Humanities Courses 1 |
3 |
| SCIL 1XXX SCIENCE WITH LABORATORY 1 |
4 |
| ENGL 2043 Introduction to Creative Writing | 3 |
| ENGL 2063 Introduction to Literary Studies | 3 |
| Total Hours | 16 |
| Spring | Credits |
|---|---|
| SFHS 1XXX Social Sciences/Fine Arts/Humanities/Communication Courses 1 |
3 |
| ENGL 3043 Literary Editing and Publishing | 3 |
| English Elective 2 |
6 |
| Elective 3 |
3 |
| Total Hours | 15 |
| Fall | Credits |
|---|---|
| ENGL 3073 Creative Nonfiction Workshop | 3 |
| ENGL 3093 Poetry Workshop | 3 |
| ENGL 3313 American Literature to 1900 | 3 |
| ENGL 3413 British Literature to 1800 | 3 |
| Elective 3 |
3 |
| Total Hours | 15 |
| Spring | Credits |
|---|---|
| ENGL 3083 Fiction Workshop | 3 |
| ENGL 3323 Modern American Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 3423 British Literature since 1800 | 3 |
| Elective 3 |
6 |
| Total Hours | 15 |
| Fall | Credits |
|---|---|
| ENGL 4093 Seminar in Creative Writing | 3 |
| English Elective 3, 4 |
3 |
| Elective 3, 4 |
9 |
| Total Hours | 15 |
| Spring | Credits |
|---|---|
| ENGL 4813 Senior Project in Creative Writing | 3 |
| Elective 3, 4 |
9 |
| Total Hours | 12 |
1See appropriate alternatives or substitutions in "General Education Requirements".
2Any 2-4000 level English courses excluding ENGL 2003 Introduction to World Literature, ENGL 2013 Introduction to American Literature, ENGL/JOUR 2173 Introduction to Film, ENGL 2881 Practicum-Literary Journal Publication, and ENGL 4881 Practicum-Editing Literary Journal-4.
3At least 40 of the 120 hours required for graduation must be earned in 3000-4000 level
courses.
4Seniors admitted to the Accelerated BA in Creative Writing to MA in English Program
can substitute twelve (12) hours of the following courses as electives: ENGL 5023 Second Language Acquisition, ENGL 5083 Seminar: English Language, ENGL 5093 Seminar in Creative Writing, ENGL 5103 Literary Theory, ENGL 5173 Seminar in Film Studies, ENGL 5213 American Folklore, ENGL 5283 Seminar: World Literature, ENGL 5383 Seminar: American Literature, ENGL 5483 Seminar: British Literature, ENGL 5683 Seminar in Gender Studies, ENGL 5703 Teaching English as a Second Language, ENGL 5713 ESL Assessment, ENGL 5723 Teaching People of Other Cultures.
5All minimum college hours (at least two semesters) should be in one language. Students
with previous study in a foreign language should refer to Foreign Language Advanced
Placement and Credit under Credit by Examination. Students may waive three hours of
language requirements for every one year of language study in high school with grades
of "C" or better.