Creative Writing (BA)

Catalog Year

2020-2021

Degree

Bachelor of Arts

Total Credits

120

Locations

Mankato

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Program Requirements

Major Common Core

Required Writing and Reading courses - Choose 20 Credit(s).

An introduction to writing poetry and short prose. This course does not assume previous creative writing experience on the part of the student.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-11

An introduction to literary genres and to the techniques of writing about literature.

Prerequisites: ENG 101 

Introduction to writing poems.

Prerequisites: Select one course: ENG 340 or ENG 341.

This course enables BA and BFA Creative Writing students to bring their previous critical and creative study to bear in a final program project. It is generally the last course they take in their program.

Prerequisites: Choose from either ENG 446, ENG 449, ENG 494, or ENG 495

Diverse Cultures: Purple

This course approaches works of fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction from the past 30 years with a special focus on the craft issues that are central components of each work's success. English 448 is a required course for BA and BFA majors in creative writing.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Major Restricted Electives

British Literature - Choose 4 Credit(s).

Representative works from British literature encompassing Beowulf through the Eighteenth Century. Prereq: ENG 275

Prerequisites: ENG 275W 

Representative works from British Literature, the Romantic Period to the present. Prereq: ENG 275

Prerequisites: ENG 275W 

American Literature - Choose 4 Credit(s).

A survey of American Literature from its beginnings to the end of the Civil War. Prereq: ENG 275

Prerequisites: ENG 275W 

A survey of American Literature from the end of the Civil War to the present. Prereq: ENG 275

Prerequisites: ENG 275W

World Literature - Choose 4 Credit(s).

Topics on themes, issues, and developments in genres of the literatures of the world. Content changes. May be repeated.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

A study of selected novels from a variety of time periods and cultures, including Eastern and Western Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Prerequisites: none

Major Author courses - Choose 4 Credit(s). Emphasis must be on three or fewer authors.

Studies in selected authors. Specific authors change. May be repeated with content changes.

Prerequisites: none

This course examines Shakespeare's poetry and dramatic works within their social and historical context. The plays will be considered as both literary texts and dramatic performances.

Prerequisites: none

Topics in Creative Writing Form and Technique is a variable-title course that explores special topics relating to the technical mastery of one or more creative genres, or the technical achievement of one or more practitioners. May be repeated with different topics, some of which could fulfill either a major author or a workshop requirement.

Prerequisites: none

Theory/Criticism or Linguistics - Choose 4 Credit(s).

The English language considered structurally (phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics) and sociolinguistically (geographical and social dialects, gender issues, acquisition of first and second language, standard and nonstandard forms).

Prerequisites: none

Theories of literature and its production and use. Prereq: 6 semester credits in literature.

Prerequisites: 6 semester credits in literature 

The development of English from its origins as a dialect of Proto-Indo-European to its current form, with consideration of its social history as well as its formal development.

Prerequisites: none

Trends in film theory and criticism. Practice in critical analysis. Pre-req: 329 or permission of instructor.

Prerequisites: FILM 329 or permission of instructor

Form and Technique courses - Choose 4 Credit(s).

Study of the technical underpinnings of fiction and creative nonfiction genres.

Prerequisites: ENG 242W

Study of the technical underpinnings of poetry.

Prerequisites: ENG 242W

Workshops - Choose 8 Credit(s). Acceptable sections of 449, 494, and 495 will be workshops.

Introduction to writing personal essays and literary journalism.

Prerequisites: Select one course: ENG 340 or ENG 341.

Introduction to writing short stories.

Prerequisites: Select one course: ENG 340 or ENG 341.

Introduction to writing for the screen. May be repeated with new content.

Prerequisites: Writing course or consent: Choose from either FILM 114, ENG 342, ENG 343, or ENG 344.

Topics in Creative Writing Form and Technique is a variable-title course that explores special topics relating to the technical mastery of one or more creative genres, or the technical achievement of one or more practitioners. May be repeated with different topics, some of which could fulfill either a major author or a workshop requirement.

Prerequisites: none

Specialized workshops in topics such as computer-assisted writing, teaching the writing of poetry in the secondary school, or discipline-specific writing. May be repeated with change in topic. When offered as a creative writing workshop, the course may fulfill a workshop requirement.

Prerequisites: none

Specialized, in-depth study of topics such as Holocaust literature, environmental literature, or regional literature. May be repeated with change in topic. WHEN OFFERED AS A CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP, this course may fulfill a workshop requirement.

Prerequisites: none

Other Graduation Requirements

Choose 8 credit(s): take one series Language