Student Learning Outcomes
- Students create original works of fiction.
- Students create original poems.
- Students create original essays.
- Students critique peers' work.
- Students critique their own work.
- Students evaluate submissions to a literary journal.
- Students design literary journal content.
Assessment Procedures
Survey of graduates
Portfolio
Annual assessment of original works of creative writing via a cumulative portfolio
Yearly progress reports
Assessment of senior thesis - all graduating BFA candidates are required to present a senior thesis in the form of a cumulative portfolio which contains a collection of the student's best writing. This portfolio will be discussed during a 30-minute defense in which the student will be required to discuss the work, its literary influences, ideas toward publication, process, etc.
Bachelor of Fine Arts
The English curriculum has a two-fold purpose. It seeks to make a contribution to the general education of all students by providing them with the study of writing so they can use their language as effectively and precisely as possible and by introducing them to the sympathetic understanding of literature so their personal lives will be enriched by literary art. The English degree prepares students for such vocations as teaching, publishing, business and public relations as well as for further professional studies.
The BFA in creative writing diverges from the BA in English in its significantly greater concentration on the study of creative writing (requiring 18 credit hours in creative writing and a senior creative thesis).
Program Requirements
General Education
| | General Education courses | variable |
| CRW 499C | Senior Thesis | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 36 |
Refer to the General Education section for a complete listing of general education requirements for the University.
Major Requirements
Creative Writing Requirements
Select three courses from the following:
Literature Cornerstone
| ENG 300 | Introduction to the Study of Literature in English | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Literature Surveys
Select three of the following:
| ENG 331 | British Literature to 1789 | 3 |
| ENG 332 | British Literature Since 1789 | 3 |
| ENG 341 | American Literature to 1865 | 3 |
| ENG 342 | American Literature Since 1865 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Literature and Linguistics electives
Select three of the following, no more than one course from a specific area:
Linguistics (choose one)
Cultural Diversity (choose one)
| ENG 311 | Global English Literature | 3 |
| ENG 320 | Women Writers and Feminist Perspectives | 3 |
| ENG 348 | African-American Literature | 3 |
| ENG 360 | Appalachian Literature | 3 |
| ENG 365 | Literature of the South | 3 |
| ENG 398 | Gay and Lesbian Literature | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Literary Period (choose one)
| ENG 422 | Studies in American Literature to 1900 | 3 |
| ENG 423 | Studies in American Literature, 1900-1965 | 3 |
| ENG 424 | Studies in Contemporary American Literature | 3 |
| ENG 436 | The English Renaissance | 3 |
| ENG 441 | Restoration and Eighteenth Century British Literature | 3 |
| ENG 442 | Romantic Writers | 3 |
| ENG 443 | Victorian Writers | 3 |
| ENG 444 | British Literature since 1901 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Major Author (choose one)
| ENG 435 | Shakespeare | 3 |
| ENG 495 | Seminar: Major Writers | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Genre (choose one)
Supplemental Requirements
| | Foreign Language | |
| ENG 293 | Creative Writing I | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
Foreign Language: (one course above 101-level in any foreign language)