Curriculum
The BA in Creative Writing is awarded upon the completion of 120 credits, 30 of which must be in Creative Writing and Literature. The major consists of four literature courses, four creative writing workshops, the two-credit Writer's Life Colloquium course,
and a four-credit capstone course.
Creative Writing students may choose writing workshops and literature courses across a wide variety of genres, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, writing for children and young adults, journalism, playwriting, and more. A sequence of courses is offered
for the genres of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and journalism, allowing students to progress from intermediate to advanced level courses throughout their program of study.
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Courses
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Credits
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Four Literature Courses
(Subject Code NLIT)
Sample courses:
NLIT 3324 Emily Dickinson
NLIT 3383 Reading Toni Morrison
NLIT 3530 Science Fiction
NLIT 3384 Reading James Baldwin
| 12 |
Four Creative Writing Workshops
(Subject Code NWRW at 2000 Level or Above)
Sample courses:
NWRW 3205 Poetry: The Language of Music
NWRW 3301 The Novel Workshop
NWRW 3403 Finding Your Voice in Nonfiction
NWRW 3611 Arts and Entertainment Journalism
NLIT 4051 Literary Translation Workshop
| 12 |
| NWRW 3906 Writer's Life Colloquium | 2 |
| NWRW 4001 Capstone Project | 4 |
| Total Credits | 30 |
Literature Courses
Classic and contemporary literature is investigated from the specialized perspective of the professional writer. Course offerings represent a variety of genres, but vary each semester according to the interests of the faculty. All literature courses concentrate
on crucial aspects of craft as well as issues of literary history, culture, and theory.
The Writing Workshop
Guided by an experienced writer-teacher, students focus on their writing, both in the workshop and in individual conferences with the instructor. The emphasis is on the creative acts of self-editing and revision. Structure and content are adapted to the
genre of the workshop.
The Writer's Life Colloquium
Creative Writing majors participate in a semester-long colloquium of visiting writers, critics, writing teachers, editors, and publishers. The colloquium reflects the wide range of cultural activity at The New School and the belief that students benefit
from exposure to many voices and genres. Examples of regular events included in the Writer's Life Colloquium are public readings and award ceremonies co-sponsored with the National Book Foundation, the National Book Critics Circle, the Cave Canem
Poetry Foundation, The Story Prize, the Community of Literary Magazines and Presses (CLMP), PEN America, the Academy of American Poets, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), and public readings and discussions across the
many genres of study offered through the Creative Writing Program. In an online course, students write critical and reflective essays about the events they attend.
Capstone Project
The Creative Writing Capstone is the culmination of the undergraduate degree, giving students the chance to revise, reconsider, and build upon the writing produced over the course of the major. Students develop their skills as editors, focusing on copy-editing
as well as reexamining the scope, form, and content of their work. In the capstone workshop, the capstone cohort also develops a community of writers who are close readers of each other's writing. In addition, the capstone instructor provides written
feedback at each step of the process.