Students take 28 units per year for two years and are scheduled into a prescribed number of units each quarter. Two 10-day Residencies each year provide the forum for interactive instruction between faculty and students, students and their peers, and visiting artists and professionals in the fields of Creative Writing. Students participate in tutorial e-correspondence and electronic instruction between residencies.
At the center of each student’s program is a sequence of workshops (both genre and cross genre) paired with a corresponding seminar on a body of literature or film. For both the seminar and the workshops, the student prepares writing which is sent electronically to the mentor for review and critique. Students engage in weekly online instruction with their mentors during the academic year.
The core curriculum includes the following:
Six Low Residency Genre Workshop Courses
Six Low Residency Literature Seminars
Six Low Residency Cross Genre Workshops
Two Thesis Courses
The Master of Fine Art's degree consists of workshops and seminars in chosen genres, culminating in a final project (the master's thesis) which showcases the writer's cultivated talents, in the form of a poetry collection, novel, memoir, screenplay, or full-length play. In the area of screenwriting, the final written project is a full-length screenplay or teleplay (approximately 120 pages). In the areas of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, the final written project is a poetry collection, novel, short story collection or essay collection. Each student will be paired with one or two faculty members who will serve as the thesis advisor(s). Two faculty readers, in addition to the advisor(s), will evaluate the thesis work.
2009-2010
CWLR 201(E-Z) Seminar in Literature, Theater and Film
This seminar is devoted to the intensive study of a period, style, author, or issue in literary, theatrical, or film history or theory. Course includes a 10 day residency period.
CWLR 202(E-Z) Seminar in Literature, Theater and Film
This seminar is devoted to the intensive study of a period, style, author, or issue in literary, theatrical, or film history or theory. Course does not include a residency.
CRWT211 (E-Z) Genre Workshop
Standard writing workshop focusing on the production of original work. Involves study of chosen genre, emphasizing technique, structure, style, and form. Course includes a 10 day residency period.
CRWT212 (E-Z) Genre Workshop
Standard writing workshop focusing on the production of original work. Involves study of chosen genre, emphasizing technique, structure, style, and form. There is no residency period.
CRWT221 (E-Z) Cross Genre Workshop
This is an introductory writing workshop focusing on the production of original work. Involves introductory study of chosen cross-genres, emphasizing technique, structure, style, and form. Course includes a 10 day residency period.
CRWT222 (E-Z) Cross Genre Workshop
This is an introductory writing workshop focusing on the production of original work. Involves introductory study of chosen cross-genres, emphasizing technique, structure, style, and form. This course does not include a residency period.
CRWT299 Research for Thesis
Research and preparation for the Master of Fine Arts Thesis.
2008-2009
CRWT 259A, B and C
Seminar in Literature, Theater and Film
This seminar is devoted to the intensive study of a period, style, author, or issue in literary, theatrical, or film history or theory. The course begins with an online orientation followed by weekly online consultation. Course includes a 10 day residency period during which students spend 21 hours in seminar.
CRWT299
Research for Thesis
Research and preparation for the Master of Fine Arts Thesis.
CRWT290
Directed Study
Directed by a faculty member. Genre Workshop.
CRWT281/280
Intensive Workshop
Designed to expose students to the work of contemporary writers. Cross-genre workshop.