Concentration and Courses

The English Department offers an exciting range of writing courses for all levels of experience. In addition to our poetry, fiction writing, and creative nonfiction courses, other departments offer playwriting and screenwriting classes.

Only English majors and minors may add a concentration in creative writing. In order to earn the concentration, students must complete the structured sequence in either fiction or poetry.

Poetry

These courses include

  • 200-level Poetry and Poetry Writing
  • 300-level Poetry Writing
  • 400-level Advanced Poetry Writing

These courses are taught by poets Mary Szybist and Jerry Harp. Advanced Poetry Writing students participate in a student poetry reading at the end of the spring semester.

Fiction

Short-story and fiction writing courses include

  • 200-level Intro to the Short Story
  • 300-level Fiction Writing
  • 400-level Advanced Fiction Writing

All courses are taught by novelists Pauls Toutonghi and Don Waters. Advanced Fiction Writing students participate in a student fiction reading at the end of the spring semester.

Creative Nonfiction

Since prospective writers are often exploring the reach of their medium in the broadest sense, the English curriculum also includes

  • English 208 Creative Nonfiction

All courses are taught by novelists Pauls Toutonghi and Don Waters.