Objectives
The program aims to develop students' skills in writing in a variety of genres conventionally described as “creative,” such as fiction, poetry, drama, and creative non-fiction. It will also offer students the option to take courses in contemporary literature.
The focus of the creative writing courses will be on the composition, critiquing, and editing of the students’ own work, and, in both the creative writing and contemporary literature courses, on analyzing examples of excellent writing.
Course description
The Department of English Language and Literature added a Creative Writing Diploma to its repertoire in 2006. The program builds on Memorial’s already strong reputation for bringing artistic and literary talent to the fore.
Students complete EIGHT courses (24 credit hours), at least FIVE of which must be in Creative Writing in at least three different genres. The remaining courses must be drawn from other Department of English courses.
Courses taken in previous years may count toward the diploma, as, in certain circumstances, may courses taken at other institutions.
Students are required to complete a minimum of 24 credit hours of course work, including at least 15 credit hours from the following:
English 3900, English 3901, English 3902, English 3903, English 4910, English 4911, English 4912, and English 4913
The remaining courses must be taken from:
1. additional courses from the above list
2. one or more special topics courses in Creative Writing (English 4920-4930)
3. one or more of English 3100, 3155, 3156, 3158, 3160, 3161, 3171, 3172, 3173, 4080, 4270, 4302, 4822
4. one or more courses from the Diploma in Professional Writing.
ADMISSION
Admission to each course is competitive, and will require submission of a portfolio of work in the relevant genre. Normally this will occur in the months prior to registration for that course, so it is important students pay close attention to portfolio submission deadlines.
