In Writing and Democracy, students investigate a range of cultural, political, social, and artistic experiences. Leonard and Louise Riggio initiated the program through generous development grants to highlight "the writer in the world."
“Louise and I have always believed that skillful writing provides the centering for all political movements,” said Leonard Riggio. “With respect to democratic institutions, their ability to function and remain relevant in a rapidly changing world can
be seen as a function of the many nuances of the language which are their lifeblood. Our interest, then, is to encourage more participation in the ‘programming’ of our democracy by an ever-wider circle of informed people.”
Writing and Democracy students share community resources with The New School's distinguished graduate program in Creative Writing and receive scholarship
funding.
The Writing and Democracy Honors Program fosters a community of writers through regular student readings and additional peer-group activities, including an award-winning literary magazine, 12th Street, edited and published by Writing and Democracy students.
The 32-credit curriculum consists of writing workshops (fiction, nonfiction, poetry), literature seminars, and a thesis project. Students earn credit for attending the Writer's Life Colloquium, an ongoing series of public readings, literary forums, lectures,
and symposia.
Graduates of Writing and Democracy have gone on to graduate school and careers in writing, journalism, politics, human rights organizations, teaching, publishing (print and online), law, international affairs, cultural studies, and media.
The Writing and Democracy Honors Program is designed for Liberal Arts majors in the Bachelor's Program for Adults and Transfer Students at
The New School (though students in any undergraduate program at The New School may apply). Credits earned are applied to the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts. A writing portfolio is required for admission to the program. Students
who want to build a portfolio can take courses from the curriculum of writing workshops offered by The New School.
View the Course Catalog