Creative writing students work in a variety of genres: fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. They participate in workshops that emphasize specificity, precision, and heightened editing skills, with publication as a desirable outcome. Nonfiction students write in several forms: the personal essay, memoir, and journalism.

Creative Writing Major
Creative Writing Minor
Course Descriptions

The English and Creative Writing Major
(39 semester hours)

Required:

Senior Exercise:
ENGL 453    (3)    Senior Portfolio Seminar

Choose 6 three-credit creative writing workshops, including ENGL 106 and at least one course in two of the following genres: fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction.

Note: As a general rule, students should begin their work in creative writing by enrolling in ENGL 106. Students may request permission to substitute another writing workshop for ENGL 106 by submitting to the program director prior to enrolling in one of the other creative writing workshops a portfolio of work that demonstrates significant creative writing experience and accomplishment.

Choose 2 three-credit courses in literature in the English department at the 200- or 300-level.

Choose 4 three-credit courses in literature in the English department at the 300-level.

Notes:
A student may substitute the senior exercise requirements for the English major for one of her required literature courses. A student who selects this option must complete both ENGL 451 and ENGL 452.

Working closely with her advisor, a student may choose courses for her major that allow her to study an area of interest in depth; this may be particularly helpful as students prepare for the senior portfolio seminar. (For example, the student may focus on the particular literary genre that has been the primary focus of her creative work.) Or a student may instead choose to craft a major that offers breadth, pursuing courses in a wider range of topics. Students are encouraged to take course in other departments that complement their course of study and areas of interest in English and creative writing.

Three elective literature courses (9 semester hours) in the English department and two workshops (6 semester hours) must be taken at Sweet Briar College. In addition, the Senior Portfolio Seminar must be completed at Sweet Briar, for a total of 18 semester hours.

No course used to fulfill major requirements may be taken on a P/CR/NC grading option.

The English and Creative Writing Minor
(21 semester hours)

Required:

Choose 4 three-credit creative writing workshops, including ENGL 106 and at least one course in two of the following genres: fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction.

Note: As a general rule, students should begin their work in creative writing by enrolling in ENGL 106. Students may request permission to substitute another writing workshop for ENGL 106 by submitting to the program director prior to enrolling in one of the other creative writing workshops a portfolio of work that demonstrates significant creative writing experience and accomplishment.

Choose 1 three-credit course in literature in the English department at the 200- or 300-level.

Choose 2 three-credit courses in literature in the English department at the 300-level.

Notes:
Two literature courses (6 semester hours) in the English department and two creative writing workshops (6 semester hours) must be taken at Sweet Briar College.

No course used to fulfill minor requirements may be taken on a P/CR/NC grading option.

Course Descriptions