Concentration in Creative Writing

The concentration in Creative Writing is for students who have an interest in developing their talent as novelists, short fiction or creative nonfiction writers, poets and dramatists. The concentration is also designed for students who wish to focus on the study of writing more broadly. It provides a strong background in literary studies and emphasizes general writing skills. Students in the concentration are prepared for lives as writers.     

Wilson College has a rich tradition of producing excellent writers. Wilson authors have published hundreds of book of fiction, poetry, and non-fiction, and have seen their works produced on the Broadway stage, nominated for major literary awards, and rocket to the top of the bestseller list. Past Wilson authors include members of the National Songwriting Hall of Fame, a National Poet of Scotland, and finalists for several major literary awards, including the Pushcart Prize, the American Library Association Award, and the Lambda Literary Prize.     

The department’s focus on general writing skills and career preparedness ensures that students will be ready to enter the world of work, whether in publishing, freelance writing, media content creation, or in numerous other writing-related fields. Or students may choose to pursue graduate study in M.A., M.F.A. and Ph.D. programs emphasizing creative writing.
 

Concentration in Creative Writing

Required Courses:

ENG 201 Media Writing    
ENG 210: Advanced Exposition
ENG 220: Creative Writing
ENG 311: Structure of the English Language

Plus two of the following:

ENG 321 Advanced Creative Writing: Poetry or

ENG 323 Advanced Creative Writing: Fiction or

ENG 325 Topics in Creative Writing

Plus one of the following:

ENG 345 Shakespeare's Histories and Comedies or

ENG 346 Shakespeare's Tragedies and Romances

And:

ENG 499: Thesis in Creative Writing

The student will also take three additional courses from the offerings in English. At least one of the four courses (which would include the required Shakespeare course) must be at the 300 level. Either ENG 115 or 185 may be applied to the major. Coursework is supplemented by seminars in genres, markets, and master classes by visiting writers that all students in the concentration are encouraged to attend.