B.A. in English: Creative Writing Major

Contact Person:
Richard Henry, Interim Department Chair
120 Morey, (315) 267-2043, henryrm@potsdam.edu

32 credit hours.

The Creative Writing Major hones students’ abilities to write and think imaginatively and critically. Students select workshops in creative nonfiction, drama, fiction, poetry, and screenwriting. Students learn strategies for crafting original expression while courses in literary study further allow them to contextualize their art. Students are expected to attend and give public readings of creative works, assist with literary publications, read extensively in her/his chosen genre(s), and complete a senior portfolio of polished pieces.

All courses are 3 credits unless noted. Credits are divided as follows:
Credits
Gateway Courses
8
COMP 201 Writing Arguments (4 credits)
COMP 202
 Introduction to Creative Writing (4 credits)

Creative Writing Courses:* select three
12
COMP 302
 Fiction Workshop I (4 credits)
COMP 303 Poetry Workshop I (4 credits)
COMP 306 Playwriting: Short Plays (4 credits)  
COMP 307 Creative Nonfiction Workshop I (4 credits)  
COMP 308 Writing Fiction for Children (4 credits)  
COMP 309 Screenwriting Workshop I (4 credits)  
COMP 310 Playwriting: Full-length Plays (4 credits)  
COMP 395, 495 Special Topics (Creative Writing) (4 credits)  

Literature Courses
6
LITR 200 Literary Traditions OR  
   LITR 201
    Patterns of Literature  
Literature Elective at the 300- or 400 level

Theory Course		  
3
LITR 300 Literary Analysis & Research  

Senior Writing Course
3
COMP 490 Writing Supervision  

In addition to formal instruction, each student in the Creative Writing Major will be expected to attend public readings of creative works, give public readings of creative works, assist with literary publications, and read extensively in her/his chosen genre(s).

*Note: May substitute one applied writing course from the Writing Major for one upper-division creative writing course with adviser approval.