Creative Writing

Instruction in the writing of fiction. Fiction will be discussed in a workshop situation.

Instruction in the writing of poetry. Student poetry will be discussed in a workshop situation.

Study in advanced feature writing techniques (human interest story, personality profile, travel story and special event story). Lecture/workshop format.

An upper-level course for students who wish to focus on one aspect of writing. Topics may include The Teaching of Writing, Peer Consulting in Writing (for Writing Center staff), Creative Non-Fiction, and the teaching of creative writing.

Each nine-day residency, held on the Converse campus in the summer and January, begins the new semester with a demanding program of creative writing workshops in which student work is discussed and evaluated. The residency will comprise workshops, daily seminars, craft lectures, panel discussions and readings by faculty members, visiting writers, editors and agents. This course may be repeated for credit, but only one Creative Writing Residency may be completed per semester. Students must attend and participate in the residency in order to participate in the mentoring semester. Residencies are a key component of the mentoring semester process.

During each residency students must participate in the following:
• Seven intensive three and a half hour workshops that engage students in critical, supportive discussions of their own work and issues of craft, literature and aesthetics
• A series of one-on-one conferences with writer/mentors to establish a study plan and sequence of readings for the coming semester
• A minimum of six craft lectures, special topics seminars and/or panel presentations.
• A minimum of six readings and Q/A presented by faculty, MFA students and visiting writers.
• Complete all required reading and writing assignments for workshops, lectures and seminars.
• Complete all required forms, including the evaluations, your study plan, and any other forms pertaining to the program given to you by the MFA faculty and staff.

Taken during first mentoring semester. Under guidance of a faculty mentor in the genre, the student will design a specific curriculum for achieving a working awareness of the history, criticism, and craft theory associated with fiction. Each student must file a one-page reading list with the faculty mentor prior to the beginning of the term. The list is developed in consultation with the faculty mentor, and additional reading suggestions may be offered by the faculty mentor in response to writing packets submitted by the student. Writing assignments may include response papers, interviews, critical annotations, reviews, or other options.

Under guidance of a faculty mentor in the genre, the student will design a specific semester curriculum. The course is designed to build on Craft Topics I and provide a more advanced survey of the history, criticism, and craft theory associated with fiction. The student must file a one-page reading list with the faculty mentor prior to the beginning of the term. The list is developed in consultation with the faculty mentor, and additional reading suggestions may be offered by the faculty mentor in response to writing packets submitted by the student. Writing assignments may include response papers, interviews, critical annotations, reviews, or other options.

Under the guidance of a faculty mentor in the genre, each student researches and completes a substantive critical project (25-30 pages, including bibliography) in one of the areas of emphasis: craft of writing, literary theory/criticism in the genre, or creative writing pedagogy.

Independent study with a faculty member chosen as an advisor to direct the student in a project culminating in a craft seminar. Oral presentation of the craft seminar will be scheduled during the fifth graduating residency, following the fourth mentoring semester.

Under guidance of a faculty mentor in the genre, the student will design a specific curriculum for achieving a working awareness of the history, criticism, and craft theory associated with nonfiction. each student must file a one-page reading list with the faculty mentor prior to the beginning of the term. The list is developed in consultation with the faculty mentor, and additional reading suggestions may be offered by the faculty mentor in response to writing packets submitted by the student. Writing assignments may include response papers, interviews, critical annotations, reviews, or other options.

Under guidance of a faculty mentor in the genre, the student will design a specific semester curriculum. The course is designed to build on Craft Topics I and provide a more advanced survey of the history, criticism, and craft theory associated with nonfiction. The student must file a one-page reading list with the faculty mentor prior to the beginning of the term. The list is developed in consultation with the faculty mentor, and additional reading suggestions may be offered by the faculty mentor in response to writing packets submitted by the student. Writing assignments may include response papers, interviews, critical annotations, reviews, or other options.

Under the guidance of a faculty mentor in the genre, each student researches and completes a substantive critical project (25-30 pages, including bibliography) in one of the areas of emphasis: craft of writing, literary theory/criticism in the genre, or creative writing pedagogy.

Independent study with a faculty member chosen as an advisor to direct the student in a project culminating in a craft seminar. Oral presentation of the craft seminar will be scheduled during the fifth graduating residency, following the fourth mentoring semester.

Under guidance of a faculty mentor in the genre, the student will design a specific curriculum for achieving a working awareness of the history, criticism, and craft theory associated with poetry. Reading will certainly be a part of this, and each student must file a one-page reading list with the faculty mentor prior to the beginning of the term. The list is developed in consultation with the faculty mentor, and additional reading suggestions may be offered by the faculty mentor in response to writing packets submitted by the student. Writing assignments may include response papers, interviews, critical annotations, reviews, or other options.

Under guidance of a faculty mentor in the genre, the student will design a specific semester curriculum. The course is designed to build on Craft Topics I and provide a more advanced survey of the history, criticism, and craft theory associated with poetry. The student must file a one-page reading list with the faculty mentor prior to the beginning of the term. The list is developed in consultation with the faculty mentor, and additional reading suggestions may be offered by the faculty mentor in response to writing packets submitted by the student. Writing assignments may include response papers, interviews, critical annotations, reviews, or other options.

Under the guidance of a faculty mentor in the genre, each student researches and completes a substantive critical project (25-30 pages, including bibliography) in one of the areas of emphasis: craft of writing, literary theory/criticism in the genre, or creative writing pedagogy.

Independent study with a faculty member chosen as an advisor to direct the student in a project culminating in a craft seminar. Oral presentation of the craft seminar will be scheduled during the Fifth graduating residency, following the fourth mentoring semester.

Under the guidance of a faculty mentor in the genre, each student researches and completes a substantive critical project (25-30 pages, including bibliography) with a general focus on Environmental Writing and Literature. The areas of emphasis: craft of Environmental writing, literary theory/criticism in the genre, or creative writing pedagogy. Mentor may require a field experience component.

Independent study with a faculty member chosen as an advisor to direct the student in a project culminating in a craft seminar In Environmental Writing and Literature. Oral presentation of the craft seminar will be scheduled during the Fifth graduating residency, following the fourth mentoring semester.

Under the guidance of a faculty mentor in the genre, each student researches and completes a substantive critical project (25-30 pages, including bibliography) with a general focus on Young Adult Writing and Literature. The areas of emphasis: craft of Young Adult writing, literary theory/criticism in the genre, or creative writing pedagogy.

Independent study with a faculty member chosen as an advisor to direct the student in a project culminating in a craft seminar in Young Adult Writing and Literature. Oral presentation of the craft seminar will be scheduled during the Fifth graduating residency, following the fourth mentoring semester.

An intensive study of the writing of fiction. poetry or nonfiction focusing on advanced techniques of narration, exposition, descriptive detail, scene development, point of view, and other elements of craft with an emphasis on the complex influences of place, the natural world, and the environmental imagination. All instruction and discussion is revision-based. Students must make manuscript of at least 10 to 25 pages during the residency (10 pages in poetry and up to 25 in fiction and nonfiction) and five submissions of equal length in the mentoring component of the semester. Taken during the third semester of the program. Open only to those students accepted into the emphasis at the time of MFA program acceptance.

An advanced Independent study with a faculty member chosen as the thesis advisor. The student works one-on-one with the MFA thesis advisor to revise and develop a body of original, publishable writing resulting in the completion of the required Master's thesis. The creative work will be produced in the student's admitted genre with an emphasis that encourages writers to identify and explore in their creative work the complex influences of place, the natural world, and the environmental imagination. In addition, students prepare to offer a reading from their work to the community during the fifth and final graduation residency.

An intensive study of the writing of fiction focusing on advanced techniques of narration, exposition, descriptive detail, scene development, point of view, and other elements of craft with an emphasis on the craft strategies associated with Young Adult fiction. All instruction and discussion is revision-based. Students must submit a manuscript of at least 20-25 pages during the residency and five submissions of equal length in the mentoring component of the semester. Taken during the third semester of the program. Open only to those students accepted into the emphasis at the time of MFA program acceptance and to students who have completed Fiction Writing I and II.

An advanced independent study with a faculty member chosen as the thesis advisor. The student works one-on-one with the MFA thesis advisor to revise and develop a body of original, publishable writing resulting in the completion of the required Master's thesis. The creative work will be produced in the student's admitted genre with an emphasis that encourages writes to identify and explore in their creative work techniques associated with Young Adult literature. In addition, students prepare to offer a reading from their work to the community during the fifth and final graduation residency.

An intensive study of the writing of fiction, focusing on advanced techniques of narration, exposition, descriptive detail, scene development, point of view, and additional craft elements in fiction. All instruction and discussion is revision-based. With the guidance of a faculty mentor, the student will research, develop, and write a customized project or projects for the course. Students must make two submissions of at least 12 to 25 pages during the residency session and four submissions of equal length in the mentoring component of the semester.

A continuation of the study of Fiction Writing I. An intensive study of the writing of fiction, focusing on advanced techniques of narration, exposition, descriptive detail, scene development, point of view, and additional craft elements in fiction. All instruction and discussion is revision-based. With the guidance of a faculty mentor, the student will research, develop, and write a customized project or projects for the course. Students must make two submissions of at least 12 to 25 pages during the residency session and four submissions of equal length in the mentoring component of the semester.

A continuation of the intensive study of Fiction Writing II. An intensive study of the writing of fiction, focusing on advanced techniques of narration, exposition, descriptive detail, scene development, point of view, and additional craft elements in fiction. All instruction and discussion is revision-based. With the guidance of a faculty mentor, the student will research, develop, and write a customized project or projects for the course. Students must make two submissions of at least 12 to 25 pages during the residency session and four submissions of equal length in the mentoring component of the semester.

An advanced independent study with a faculty member chosen as the thesis advisor. The student works one-on-one with the MFA advisor to revise and develop a body of original, publishable writing resulting in the completion of the required Master’s thesis. In addition, students prepare to offer a reading from their work to the community during the fifth and final graduation residency.

An intensive study of the writing of nonfiction, focusing on advanced techniques and craft elements in the genre. All instruction and discussion is revision-based. With the guidance of a faculty mentor, the student will research, develop, and write a customized project or projects for the course. Students must make two submissions of at least 12 to 25 pages during the residency session and four submissions of equal length in the mentoring component of the semester.

A continuation of the intensive study of Nonfiction Writing I. A study of the writing of nonfiction, focusing on advanced techniques and craft elements in the genre. All instruction and discussion is revision-based. With the guidance of a faculty mentor, the student will research, develop, and write a customized project or projects for the course. Students must make two submissions of at least 12 to 25 pages during the residency session and four submissions of equal length in the mentoring component of the semester.

A continuation of the intensive study of Nonfiction Writing II. A study of the writing of nonfiction, focusing on advanced techniques and craft elements in the genre. All instruction and discussion is revision-based. With the guidance of a faculty mentor, the student will research, develop, and write a customized project or projects for the course. Students must make two submissions of at least 12 to 25 pages during the residency session and four submissions of equal length in the mentoring component of the semester.

An advanced independent study with a faculty member chosen as the thesis advisor. The student works one-on-one with the MFA advisor to revise and develop a body of original, publishable writing resulting in the completion of the required Master’s thesis. In addition, students prepare to offer a reading from their work to the community during the fifth and final graduation residency.

An intensive study of the writing of poetry, focusing on advanced techniques and craft elements in the genre. All instruction and discussion is revision-based. With the guidance of a faculty mentor, the student will research, develop, and write a customized project or projects for the course. Students must make two submissions of at least 5 to 10 pages during the residency session and four submissions of equal length in the mentoring component of the semester.

A continuation of the intensive study of Poetry Writing I. A study of the writing of poetry, focusing on advanced techniques and craft elements in the genre. All instruction and discussion is revision-based. With the guidance of a faculty mentor, the student will research, develop, and write a customized project or projects for the course. Students must make two submissions of at least 5 to 10 pages during the residency session and four submissions of equal length in the mentoring component of the semester.

A continuation of the intensive study of Poetry Writing II. A study of the writing of poetry, focusing on advanced techniques and craft elements in the genre. All instruction and discussion is revision-based. With the guidance of a faculty mentor, the student will research, develop, and write a customized project or projects for the course. Students must make two submissions of at least 5 to 10 pages during the residency session and four submissions of equal length in the mentoring component of the semester.

An advanced independent study with a faculty member chosen as the thesis advisor. The student works one-on-one with the MFA advisor to revise and develop a body of original, publishable writing resulting in the completion of the required Master’s thesis. In addition, students prepare to offer a reading from their work to the community during the fifth and final graduation residency.

Following the fourth mentoring semester, students finish the program by returning to campus for a fifth, graduating residency. In this final residency, graduating students complete the following:
• give a presentation and oral defense of their creative thesis project
• give a public reading from their creative work
• lead their fellow students in a craft seminar developed under the guidance of a faculty mentor.