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Catalog HOME General Information College of Arts and Sciences   General guidelines   Degree Programs   Graduation Requirements   Major and Minor Study   Advising & Academic Standing   Grading   Transfer of Credit   Miscellaneous Information   Abbreviations Conservatory of Music Double-Degree Program Registrar's Office Creative Writing The Creative Writing Program is a rigorous program for student writers of serious purpose who want to develop their potential through a series of workshops and independent projects. Students work through a syllabus of reading, exercises, and assignments in classes that divide their time between presentations of assignments and discussions of student work. Most advanced work is accomplished through independent projects. There is a large demand for writing courses at all levels. Most courses and all independent projects require submissions and application forms that are designed to assess students' serious commitment to the nature and structure of the classes. Students who receive a grade of B- or lower in CRWR 201 are normally discouraged from pursuing the major. Major. Majors must complete at least 37 hours: 25 in Creative Writing and 12 in literature. The creative writing courses must include the following: Creative Writing 201; three of the six 300-level workshops (poetry, fiction, playwriting, nonfiction, translation, screenwriting) that are offered on a regular basis; and one or two independent projects (470, 480), which must include at least four credits in the same genre. Students in advanced projects will work on projects of substantial quality and will be strongly encouraged to give a reading during their senior year. Twelve hours of literature (in English, in translation, or in a foreign language) are also required, above the 100 level (except in East Asian Studies, where some 100-level literature courses may count, with permission of the Director of Creative Writing). Students are encouraged to take literature courses in the genre(s) in which they are writing. Film, theory, and other courses that do not focus primarily on written literature will not count toward this requirement, even if they are offered by the English Department. A list of recommended literature courses will be available in the Creative Writing office prior to registration each semester. First-year students are advised to take CRWR 110 and 120, but only one of these courses will count toward the 25 creative writing hours required for the major. Students must have taken CRWR 201 before applying for 300-level poetry or fiction workshops, and must have completed the relevant 300-level workshop (and normally at least one other 300-level workshop as well) before pursuing an independent project in a given genre. CRWR 470, 475, 480 and 485 are repeatable for credit, but only three credits of Reading for Writing (475) and two credits of Practicum (485) will count toward the major. CRWR 331 does not count toward the major. The program encourages cultural diversity among students and welcomes students of all cultural backgrounds. Playwriting Concentration. The basic major requirement of 37 credits is reconfigured as follows: In Creative Writing, at least 20 hours, which must include CRWR 201, 330, 470 (in playwriting) and 480 (in playwriting). At least 13 hours must be taken at the 300 or 400 level, and at least one other 300-level workshop is recommended. In theater and other departments, at least 14 hours, including at least nine in literature (from English, Theater, or other departments), at least six of which must focus on drama; and at least five in acting, design, or technical theater taught by the Theater Department. Transfer of Credit. No creative writing courses taken elsewhere will be accepted for the creative writing major without the approval of the Director of Creative Writing. Only half of the 12 literature hours may be transferred; those also require approval of the director. Winter Term. Various faculty will sponsor projects on worthwhile topics that students have carefully designed in consultation with them before the registration deadline. Winter Term workshops, supervised by faculty and directed by advanced students, will be offered to students who have not taken CRWR 201. 110. Technique and Form in Poetry 3 hours 3HU First Semester. Extensive reading of published poetry from a creative writing perspective. Writing includes weekly exercises aimed at exploring the various techniques of poetry used in the assigned reading. In-class discussion of both assigned reading and student exercises. Two sections. Enrollment Limit: 25 (18 places reserved for first-year students, 7 for sophomores). Ms. Powell 120. Technique and Form in Fiction 3 hours 3HU Second Semester. Extensive reading of published fiction from a creative writing perspective. Writing includes weekly exercises aimed at exploring the various techniques of fiction used in the assigned reading. In-class discussion of both assigned reading and student exercises. Two sections. Enrollment Limit: 25 (18 places reserved for first-year students, 7 for sophomores). Staff 201. Poetry/Prose Workshop 4 hours 4HU, WR First and Second Semester. The reading and writing of poetry, short fiction, and some drama. Students must submit a completed application form and a typed sample of recent work, preferably in at least two genres (due in Program office Friday, June 11, 2004 for first semester, and Friday, January 14, 2005 for second semester). Notes: Not open to first-semester first-year students and seniors; juniors discouraged; some second-semester first-year students will be admitted. Consent of instructor required. Enrollment Limit: 12. Ms. Collins, Ms. Alexander, Ms. Tufts, Staff 227. Asian Pacific American Writing 2 hours 2HU, CD Second Semester. This course explores the so-called "anxiety of influence" on the work of contemporary Asian Pacific American authors by the work of writers from other American traditions. We might look, for example, at Williams's influence on Kingston's Warrior Woman, or at the way in which Sia Fiegel's work is a response to Kingston, Erdrich, and Cisneros. We will pay particular attention to the problematics of polemical writing. There will be weekly responses to the readings, presentations by class members, and one longer creative project or academic paper. Admission based on a completed application form and writing sample (due in program office by Friday, January 14, 2005). Consent of instructor required. Enrollment Limit: 15. Ms. Watanabe 245. Nature Writing 1 hour 1HU Second Semester. First Module. Reading of modern and contemporary authors on nature and the environment; weekly writing. Admission based on a completed application form and writing sample (due in Program office by Friday, January 14, 2005). Consent of instructor required. Enrollment Limit: 12. Ms. Alexander 310. Poetry Workshop 3 hours 3HU, WR First and Second Semester. The writing of poetry. Intensive discussion of student work, accompanied by assigned reading. Admission based on a completed application form and a writing sample of six to eight poems (due in Program office by Friday, June 11, 2004 for first semester, and Friday, January 14, 2005 for second semester). Prerequisite: CRWR 201. Identical to ENGL 395. Consent of instructor required. Enrollment Limit: 12. Ms. Collins, Ms. Alexander 320. Fiction Workshop 4 hours 4HU, WR First and Second Semester. The writing of short fiction. Admission based on a completed application form and a writing sample of at least 12 pages of fiction, made up of at least two separate pieces (due in Program office by Friday, June 11, 2004 for first semester, and Friday, January 14, 2005 for second semester). Prerequisite: CRWR 201. Identical to ENGL 397. Consent of instructor required. Enrollment Limit: 12. Ms. Watanabe, Staff 330. Playwriting Workshop 4 hours 4HU, WR Second Semester. A workshop focused on discussion of student work and on selected examples from modern and contemporary drama, working toward a staged reading of an original one-act play. The course presupposes considerable knowledge of drama. Admission based on a completed application form and writing sample (due in Program office by Friday, January 14, 2005). Identical to ENGL 398. Consent of instructor required. Enrollment Limit: 12. Ms. Jackson Smith 331. Playwriting Lab 1 hour 1HU Second Semester. Second Module. For actors who are available to students in the playwriting class; to try out work in progress and be available for any productions that result. See CRWR 330. Note: CR/NE or P/NP grading. Consent of instructor required. Ms. Jackson Smith 340. Nonfiction Workshop 4 hours 4HU, WRi First and Second Semester. The writing of personal narratives which employ the techniques of both the traditional essay and fiction, with an emphasis on nonfiction as a literary art form. Students will read work by modern and contemporary authors with an eye toward understanding the variety of modes which come under the current heading "creative nonfiction" (memoir, meditation, travel, cultural critique, etc.), and will be asked to employ a number of these methods and approaches in their own work. Admission based on a completed application and writing sample (due in Program office by Friday, June 11, 2004 for first semester, and Friday, January 14, 2005 for second semester). Recommended preparation: CRWR 201. Identical to ENGL 396. Consent of instructor required. Enrollment Limit: 12. Ms. Powell 350. Translation Workshop 3 hours 3HU, CD First Semester. Major writers in modern and contemporary poetry and some classical examples studied by translating them into effective American English. Exercises and assignments in the first half will help students focus on a project of their own design in the second half. Guest appearances by local and visiting writers. This course has no prerequisites, but some knowledge of a foreign language and some experience in writing poetry are required. Admission is based on a completed application form and writing sample (due in Program office by Friday, June 11, 2004). Identical to CMPL 350. Consent of instructor required. Enrollment Limit: 16. Mr. Young 360. Screenwriting Workshop 3 hours 3HU Next offered 2005-2006. 470. Advanced Writing Project I 2-4 hours 2-4HU, WR First and Second Semester. Students will work individually with an instructor in a single genre. Majors should have completed at least two and preferably three of their required 300-level workshops before applying. Applications due in Program office by Friday, June 11, 2004 for first semester, and Friday, January 14, 2005 for second semester. Faculty sponsoring projects include: Ms. Alexander, Ms. Collins, Ms. Grim, Mr. Hobbs, Ms. Jackson Smith, Ms. Powell, Ms. Tufts, Mr. Van Nortwick, Ms. Watanabe. Prerequisites: Workshop in the genre of specialization (i.e. poetry, fiction, nonfiction, playwriting, translation or screenwriting) and one other 300-level workshop. Consent of instructor required. 475. Reading for Writing 1-2 hours 1-2HU First and Second Semester. This course is normally taken in conjunction with CRWR 480 (occasionally 470); it is not a substitute for required literature courses, and it is not a private reading. Advanced students, upon consulting with a faculty sponsor, will select a reading list and keep a journal of their critical responses (and/or discuss the material they contract to cover with the instructor). Faculty sponsoring projects include: Ms. Alexander, Ms. Collins, Ms. Powell, and Ms. Watanabe. Note: CR/NE or P/NP grading. Consent of instructor required. 480. Advanced Writing Project II 3-4 hours 3-4HU, WR First and Second Semester. Students will work individually with an instructor in a single genre. Applications due in Program office by Friday, June 11, 2004 for first semester, and Friday, January 14, 2005 for second semester. Faculty sponsoring projects include: Ms. Alexander, Ms. Collins, Ms. Grim, Mr. Hobbs, Ms. Jackson Smith, Ms. Tufts, Mr. Van Nortwick, Ms. Powell, and Ms. Watanabe. Prerequisite: Advanced Writing Project I in the same genre. Consent of instructor required. 485. Practicum 0-2 hours 0-2HU First and Second Semester. This course is open only to students who are working for FIELD magazine/Oberlin College Press, participating in a sponsored teaching practicum in the public schools, or working in other approved creative writing activities. Students can earn a maximum of four hours credit toward graduation, and two hours credit toward the major. Note: CR/NE or P/NP grading. Consent of instructor required. Ms. Collins, Ms. Watanabe 495. Senior Colloquium 1 hour 1HU First Semester. A one-credit colloquium for senior creative writing majors, concentrators, and others who have taken a substantial number of creative writing courses. A variety of topics will be covered in meetings with various faculty, staff, and visiting writers, and some sessions may be devoted to discussion of student work (topics will be determined in part by discussion with students at the first session). Some reading and written work will be required. Note: CR/NE or P/NP grading. Consent of instructor required. Enrollment Limit: 16. Ms. Collins