The foundation of the MFA Program has always been its writing workshops, representing two genres (poetry and prose). In their first year, students are enrolled in writing workshops each quarter. In the second year of study, graduate students may still continue taking workshop courses, but focus shifts to individual study guided by their thesis committee. This work is supplemented (and complicated) by speciality courses (English 581) focusing on specific areas of artistic concern.
| Course | Description | Sample Syllabus |
|---|---|---|
| English 581 | The Creative Writer as Critical Reader Typically offered in Winter and Spring quarters, this course can be taken up to three times for degree credit, and counts toward the literature seminar requirement for the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. ENGL 581 is taught by a different Creative Writing faculty member each quarter and themes vary, but all incorporate creative writing responses to selected readings and other media. |
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| English 584 | Advanced Prose Workshop Offered Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters, the Advanced Prose Workshop can be taken up to four times for degree credit, and counts toward the creative writing workshop requirement for the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. ENGL 584 is taught by a different Creative Writing faculty member in prose each quarter, and is restricted to students enrolled in the MFA in Creative Writing Program. |
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| English 585 | Advanced Poetry Workshop Offered Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters, the Advanced Poetry Workshop can be taken up to four times for degree credit, and counts toward the creative writing workshop requirement for the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. ENGL 585 is taught by a different Creative Writing faculty member in poetry each quarter, and is restricted to students enrolled in the MFA in Creative Writing Program. |
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| English 587 | Topics in Teaching of Creative Writing Offered in Autumn quarter, Topics in the Teaching of Creative Writing is a required course for graduate students teaching an introductory Creative Writing course in that academic year (typically second year MFA students), and counts toward the elective requirement for the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. ENGL 587 is taught by the Director of the Creative Writing Program. |