Minor in Creative Writing
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Program Overview
The Minor in Creative Writing is designed for students in other majors who wish to develop their creative writing skills through an online creative writing program. Throughout the minor program, you’ll discuss the basic conventions of at least two different contemporary creative genres and produce polished, completed works in those genres. You’ll also read your own work critically and employ revision strategies to improve it and critique the writing of others and offer constructive suggestions for improving it.
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) accredits public and private schools, colleges, and universities in the U.S.
Course Details
Preparation for the Minor
- 2-3 courses, 9-13.5 quarter units
Prerequisite: ENG 102
An overview of the main genres of literature, including fiction, poetry and drama. Examines literary language and different approaches to literary criticism designed to increase student confidence when responding to literature.
Upper Division Prerequisites
Students will also need to take one or more of the following prerequisites for the upper division requirements:
Prerequisite: ENG 102
An introductory course in writing short fiction. Students will focus on the basic elements of fiction writing and write their own original work. Students will also analyze published work and discuss each other’s writing in a traditional workshop format. Designed to give students a basis for future creative work.
Prerequisite: ENG 102
An introductory level poetry workshop. Students will compose their own original poems and study the basics of the craft of poetry along with a general historical overview of the history of poetry and its developments. This course is designed to give students a basis for future personal creative work.
Prerequisite: ENG 102
An introduction to the writing of feature-length screenplays. Students will learn the elements, formatting, and conventions of successful screenplays, and will learn to produce complete plots and scenes. This course is designed to give students a basis for future personal creative work.
* May be used to meet General Education requirements
Requirements for the Minor
- 6 courses; 27 quarter units
Two of the following:
Prerequisite: ENG 201
An intermediate course in writing fiction. Students will build on principles learned in ENG201, focusing on developing compelling and original fiction. Students will also discuss the importance of revision, and engage in thorough critiques of each other’s original work.
Prerequisite: ENG 202
An intermediate workshop in poetry. Students will compose their own original poems and continue the study of the craft of poetry, focusing on the modern tradition.
Prerequisite: ENG 102; ENG 240, or ENG 334A
An advanced course for students interested in using writing as a means of exploring the natural world. This course surveys nature writing in its various forms (essays, articles, poetry, journals, etc.) as well as effective nature writing strategies. This course is designed to give students a basis for future personal creative work.
One of the following:
Course Name
Prerequisite: ENG 240 and LIT 100
An upper-level seminar in contemporary fiction. Students will discuss and analyze major genres and movements in contemporary fiction, focusing on American fiction. Students will situate contemporary fiction in current political, cultural, historical and philosophical trends to better understand the relationship between fiction and the contemporary world.
Prerequisite: ENG 240 and LIT 100
A survey of important authors, movements, trends, and critical stances in contemporary poetry, with an emphasis on American poetry.
One of the following:
Course Name
Prerequisite: ENG 301
An advanced course in writing fiction. Students will analyze sophisticated principles of fiction writing, evaluating different strategies for successful fiction, including non-traditional approaches. Students will write and revise advanced level original work, and provide rigorous feedback for their peers in a workshop setting.
Prerequisite: ENG 302
In a workshop setting, students will build on the skills learned in ENG 202 and 302 to produce a significant collection of original poems.
Two of the following:
Course Name
Prerequisite: ENG 102
Survey of the art of cinema from the silent period to the present; examines film techniques and theories; explores film styles and genres, focusing on elements such as lighting, editing, and cinematography; establishes a basis by which students can make aesthetic judgments.
Prerequisite: ENG 102
An exploration of the ways in which popular media represents our diverse and dynamic culture. The course focuses particularly on images and narratives of race and gender on television, in the movies and in popular culture. It also examines the cultural forces that influence how such representations are produced and perceived, their political and behavioral consequences, and various methods for analyzing and critiquing popular media.
Prerequisite: ENG 102
Introduces the evolution of storytelling, from oral delivery to written and interactive texts, and transmedia publication. Examines the effects of this evolution on storytellers and participants. Offers hands-on creation of online identities and texts.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Discuss the basic conventions of at least two different contemporary creative genres.
- Produce polished, completed works in those genres.
- Read their own work critically and employ revision strategies to improve it.
- Critique the writing of others and offer constructive suggestions for improving it in a collegial setting.
- Produce a significant project in one genre.
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