Creative Writing

The creative writing track also includes 20 units of specified coursework and 16 units of electives. The 20 units of coursework begin with introductory poetry writing (English 317) and fiction writing (English 318). Most students will then specialize in one or the other of these types of writing: fiction writers will take intermediate and advanced fiction writing (418, 508), while poets will take the corresponding poetry writing classes (417, 507). It is important to follow the sequence of courses--beginning, then intermediate, and then advanced--in fiction or poetry. It is also important to keep in mind that not all of these courses are available every quarter.

Finally, students must take one additional creative writing course of their choice. This can be 316, 347 (same as TA 347), 511, 513, 522, or, if you haven't already taken it, 417, 418, 507, or 508. English 513 is another of those variable topics classes, focusing on writing in specialized genres such as screenwriting, autobiography, or children's literature. It can be taken more than once as topics change. Students who plan to take English 522 should make arrangements with a suitable faculty member in the term before they actually sign up for the course. Since independent study requires considerable extra time for its instructor, slots are very limited.

The 16 units of electives in the creative writing track is the same as the literature track; that is, 12 units must be upper-division English (any course numbered from 300 through 599, except English 306). English 210, 211, 212, 213, or an upper-division literature courses in a foreign language may also count in this category.

Students who are following the ETPP can use these 16 units towards the coursework listed in category 1 of the ETPP.

  1. ENG 317. Introduction to Creative Writing: Poetry (4)
  2. ENG 318. Introduction to Creative Writing: Fiction (4)
  3. Four units chosen from:
    4. ENG 417. Intermediate Creative Writing: Poetry (4) ENG 418. Intermediate Creative Writing: Fiction (4)
  4. Four units chosen from:
    5. ENG 507. Advanced Creative Writing: Poetry (4) ENG 508. Advanced Creative Writing: Fiction (4)
  5. Four units chosen from:
    6. ENG 316. Introduction to Creative Writing: Specialized Genres (4) ENG 347. Playwriting (4) ENG 511. Creative Writing in the Classroom (4) ENG 513. Advanced Creative Writing in Specialized Genres (4) ENG 522. Independent Study in Writing (4) TA ENG 347. Playwriting (4) Any of ENG 417, 418, 507 or 508 that is not used to satisfy one of the foregoing requirements.
  6. Sixteen units of electives in English. At least eight of these units must be upper-division and may include up to eight units of upper-division foreign literature or upper-division literature in translation. The only lower-division courses that may be used as electives are ENG 210, 211, 212 and 213. Students seeking to be recommended for a teaching credential (English subject matter program) can use their elective units to take the required coursework specified under #1 in the English Teacher Preparation Program, below.