Course Descriptions

Craft Topics in Nonfiction I: Genre History, Criticism, and Theory

Taken during first mentoring semester.
Under guidance of a faculty mentor in the genre, the student will design a specific curriculum for achieving a working awareness of the history, criticism, and craft theory associated with nonfiction. Each student must file a one-page reading list with the faculty mentor prior to the beginning of the term. The list is developed in consultation with the faculty mentor, and additional reading suggestions may be offered by the faculty mentor in response to writing packets submitted by the student. Writing assignments may include response papers, interviews, critical annotations, reviews, or other options.

Prerequisite: Admission into the MFA program.

Craft Topics in Nonfiction II: Genre History, Criticism, and Theory

Taken during second mentoring semester.
Under guidance of a faculty mentor in the genre, the student will design a specific semester curriculum. The course is designed to build on Craft Topics I and provide a more advanced survey of the history, criticism, and craft theory associated with nonfiction. The student must file a one-page reading list with the faculty mentor prior to the beginning of the term. The list is developed in consultation with the faculty mentor, and additional reading suggestions may be offered by the faculty mentor in response to writing packets submitted by the student. Writing assignments may include response papers, interviews, critical annotations, reviews, or other options.

Prerequisite: Admission into the MFA program and Craft Topics in Nonfiction I.

Craft Topics in Nonfiction III: Research Project

Taken during third mentoring semester.
Under the guidance of a faculty mentor in the genre, each student researches and completes a substantive critical project (25-30 pages, including bibliography) in one of the areas of emphasis: craft of writing, literary theory/criticism in the genre, or creative writing pedagogy.

Prerequisite: Admission into the MFA program and Craft Topics in Nonfiction I and II.

Craft Topics in Nonfiction IV: Craft Seminar

Taken during fourth mentoring semester.
Independent study with a faculty member chosen as an advisor to direct the student in a project culminating in a craft seminar. Oral presentation of the craft seminar will be scheduled during the fifth graduating residency, following the fourth mentoring semester.

Prerequisite: Admission into the MFA program and Craft Topics in Nonfiction I,II, and III.

Craft Topics in Fiction I: Genre History, Criticism, and Theory

Taken during first mentoring semester.
Under guidance of a faculty mentor in the genre, the student will design a specific curriculum for achieving a working awareness of the history, criticism, and craft theory associated with fiction. Each student must file a one-page reading list with the faculty mentor prior to the beginning of the term. The list is developed in consultation with the faculty mentor, and additional reading suggestions may be offered by the faculty mentor in response to writing packets submitted by the student. Writing assignments may include response papers, interviews, critical annotations, reviews, or other options.

Prerequisite: Admission into the MFA program.

Craft Topics in Fiction II: Genre History, Criticism, and Theory

Taken during second mentoring semester.
Under guidance of a faculty mentor in the genre, the student will design a specific semester curriculum. The course is designed to build on Craft Topics I and provide a more advanced survey of the history, criticism, and craft theory associated with fiction.

The student must file a one-page reading list with the faculty mentor prior to the beginning of the term. The list is developed in consultation with the faculty mentor, and additional reading suggestions may be offered by the faculty mentor in response to writing packets submitted by the student. Writing assignments may include response papers, interviews, critical annotations, reviews, or other options.

Prerequisite: Admission into the MFA program and Craft Topics in Fiction I.

Craft Topics in Fiction III: Research Project

Taken during third mentoring semester.
Under the guidance of a faculty mentor in the genre, each student researches and completes a substantive critical project (25-30 pages, including bibliography) in one of the areas of emphasis: craft of writing, literary theory/criticism in the genre, or creative writing pedagogy.

Prerequisite: Admission into the MFA program and Craft Topics in Fiction I and II.

Craft Topics in Fiction IV: Craft Seminar

Taken during fourth mentoring semester.
Independent study with a faculty member chosen as an advisor to direct the student in a project culminating in a craft seminar. Oral presentation of the craft seminar will be scheduled during the fifth graduating residency, following the fourth mentoring semester.

Prerequisite: Admission into the MFA program and Craft Topics in Fiction I,II, and III.

Craft Topics in Poetry I: Genre History, Criticism, and Theory

Taken during first mentoring semester.
Under guidance of a faculty mentor in the genre, the student will design a specific curriculum for achieving a working awareness of the history, criticism, and craft theory associated with poetry. Reading will certainly be a part of this, and each student must file a one-page reading list with the faculty mentor prior to the beginning of the term. The list is developed in consultation with the faculty mentor, and additional reading suggestions may be offered by the faculty mentor in response to writing packets submitted by the student. Writing assignments may include response papers, interviews, critical annotations, reviews, or other options.

Prerequisite: Admission into the MFA program.

Craft Topics in Poetry II: Genre History, Criticism, and Theory

Taken during second mentoring semester.
Under guidance of a faculty mentor in the genre, the student will design a specific semester curriculum. The course is designed to build on Craft Topics I and provide a more advanced survey of the history, criticism, and craft theory associated with poetry. The student must file a one-page reading list with the faculty mentor prior to the beginning of the term. The list is developed in consultation with the faculty mentor, and additional reading suggestions may be offered by the faculty mentor in response to writing packets submitted by the student. Writing assignments may include response papers, interviews, critical annotations, reviews, or other options.

Prerequisite: Admission into the MFA program and Craft Topics in Poetry I.

Craft Topics in Poetry III: Research Project

Taken during third mentoring semester.
Under the guidance of a faculty mentor in the genre, each student researches and completes a substantive critical project (25-30 pages, including bibliography) in one of the areas of emphasis: craft of writing, literary theory/criticism in the genre, or creative writing pedagogy.

Prerequisite: Admission into the MFA program and Craft Topics in Poetry I and II.

Craft Topics in Poetry IV: Craft Seminar

Taken during fourth mentoring semester.
Independent study with a faculty member chosen as an advisor to direct the student in a project culminating in a craft seminar. Oral presentation of the craft seminar will be scheduled during the Fifth graduating residency, following the fourth mentoring semester.

Prerequisite: Admission into the MFA program and Craft Topics in Poetry I,II, and III.

Fiction Writing I

Taken during first mentoring semester.
An intensive study of the writing of fiction, focusing on advanced techniques of narration, exposition, descriptive detail, scene development, point of view, and additional craft elements in fiction. All instruction and discussion is revision-based. With the guidance of a faculty mentor, the student will research, develop, and write a customized project or projects for the course. Students must make two submissions of at least 12 to 25 pages during the residency session and four submissions of equal length in the mentoring component of the semester.

Prerequisite: Admission into the MFA program.

Fiction Writing II

Taken during second mentoring semester.
A continuation of the study of Fiction Writing I.  An intensive study of the writing of fiction, focusing on advanced techniques of narration, exposition, descriptive detail, scene development, point of view, and additional craft elements in fiction. All instruction and discussion is revision-based. With the guidance of a faculty mentor, the student will research, develop, and write a customized project or projects for the course. Students must make two submissions of at least 12 to 25 pages during the residency session and four submissions of equal length in the mentoring component of the semester.

Prerequisite: Admission into the MFA program and completion of Fiction Writing I.

Fiction Writing III

Taken during third mentoring semester.
A continuation of the intensive study of Fiction Writing II.  An intensive study of the writing of fiction, focusing on advanced techniques of narration, exposition, descriptive detail, scene development, point of view, and additional craft elements in fiction. All instruction and discussion is revision-based. With the guidance of a faculty mentor, the student will research, develop, and write a customized project or projects for the course. Students must make two submissions of at least 12 to 25 pages during the residency session and four submissions of equal length in the mentoring component of the semester.

Prerequisite: Admission into the MFA program and completion of Fiction Writing I and II.

Fiction Writing IV: Thesis

Taken during fourth mentoring semester.
An advanced independent study with a faculty member chosen as the thesis advisor. The student works one-on-one with the MFA advisor to revise and develop a body of original, publishable writing resulting in the completion of the required Master’s thesis. In addition, students prepare to offer a reading from their work to the community during the fifth and final graduation residency.

Prerequisite: Admission into the MFA program and completion of Fiction Writing I, II and III.

Nonfiction Writing I

Taken during first mentoring semester.
An intensive study of the writing of nonfiction, focusing on advanced techniques and craft elements in the genre. All instruction and discussion is revision-based. With the guidance of a faculty mentor, the student will research, develop, and write a customized project or projects for the course. Students must make two submissions of at least 12 to 25 pages during the residency session and four submissions of equal length in the mentoring component of the semester.

Prerequisite: Admission into the MFA program.

Nonfiction Writing II

Taken during second mentoring semester.
A continuation of the intensive study of Nonfiction Writing I. A study of the writing of nonfiction, focusing on advanced techniques and craft elements in the genre. All instruction and discussion is revision-based. With the guidance of a faculty mentor, the student will research, develop, and write a customized project or projects for the course. Students must make two submissions of at least 12 to 25 pages during the residency session and four submissions of equal length in the mentoring component of the semester.

Prerequisite: Admission into the MFA program and completion of Nonfiction Writing I.

Nonfiction Writing III

Taken during third mentoring semester.
A continuation of the intensive study of Nonfiction Writing II. A study of the writing of nonfiction, focusing on advanced techniques and craft elements in the genre. All instruction and discussion is revision-based. With the guidance of a faculty mentor, the student will research, develop, and write a customized project or projects for the course. Students must make two submissions of at least 12 to 25 pages during the residency session and four submissions of equal length in the mentoring component of the semester.

Prerequisite: Admission into the MFA program and completion of Nonfiction Writing I and II.

Nonfiction Writing IV: Thesis

Taken during fourth mentoring semester.
An advanced independent study with a faculty member chosen as the thesis advisor. The student works one-on-one with the MFA advisor to revise and develop a body of original, publishable writing resulting in the completion of the required Master’s thesis. In addition, students prepare to offer a reading from their work to the community during the fifth and final graduation residency.

Prerequisite: Admission into the MFA program and completion of Nonfiction Writing I, II and III.

Poetry Writing I

Taken during first mentoring semester.
An intensive study of the writing of poetry, focusing on advanced techniques and craft elements in the genre. All instruction and discussion is revision-based. With the guidance of a faculty mentor, the student will research, develop, and write a customized project or projects for the course. Students must make two submissions of at least 5 to 10 pages during the residency session and four submissions of equal length in the mentoring component of the semester.

Prerequisite: Admission into the MFA program.

Poetry Writing II

Taken during second mentoring semester.
A continuation of the intensive study of Poetry Writing I. A study of the writing of poetry, focusing on advanced techniques and craft elements in the genre. All instruction and discussion is revision-based. With the guidance of a faculty mentor, the student will research, develop, and write a customized project or projects for the course. Students must make two submissions of at least 5 to 10 pages during the residency session and four submissions of equal length in the mentoring component of the semester.

Prerequisite: Admission into the MFA program and completion of Poetry Writing I.

Poetry Writing III

Taken during third mentoring semester.
A continuation of the intensive study of Poetry Writing II. A study of the writing of poetry, focusing on advanced techniques and craft elements in the genre. All instruction and discussion is revision-based. With the guidance of a faculty mentor, the student will research, develop, and write a customized project or projects for the course. Students must make two submissions of at least 5 to 10 pages during the residency session and four submissions of equal length in the mentoring component of the semester.

Prerequisite: Admission into the MFA program and completion of Poetry Writing I and II.

Poetry Writing IV: Thesis

Taken during fourth mentoring semester.
An advanced independent study with a faculty member chosen as the thesis advisor. The student works one-on-one with the MFA advisor to revise and develop a body of original, publishable writing resulting in the completion of the required Master’s thesis. In addition, students prepare to offer a reading from their work to the community during the fifth and final graduation residency.

Prerequisite: Admission into the MFA program and completion of Poetry Writing I, II and III.

Creative Writing Residency

(Repeated at the beginning of each mentoring semester for 16 hrs total)

Each nine-day residency, held on the Converse campus in the summer and January, begins the new semester with a demanding program of creative writing workshops in which student work is discussed and evaluated. The residency will comprise workshops, daily seminars, craft lectures, panel discussions and readings by faculty members, visiting writers, editors and agents. This course may be repeated for credit, but only one Creative Writing Residency may be completed per semester.  Students must attend and participate in the residency in order to participate in the mentoring semester. Residencies are a key component of the mentoring semester process.

During each residency students must participate in the following:

• Seven intensive 3 and a half hour workshops that engage students in critical, supportive discussions of their own work and issues of craft, literature and aesthetics
• A series of one-on-one conferences with writer/mentors to establish a study plan and sequence of readings for the coming semester
• A minimum of six craft lectures, special topics seminars and/or panel presentations.
• A minimum of five readings and Q/A presented by faculty, MFA students and visiting writers.
• Complete all required reading and writing assignments for workshops, lectures and seminars.

Prerequisite: Admission into the MFA program.

Graduating Residency

Following the fourth mentoring semester, students finish the program by returning to campus for a fifth, graduating residency.   In this final residency, graduating students complete the following:

• give a presentation and oral defense of their creative thesis project
• give a public reading from their creative work
• lead their fellow students in a craft seminar developed under the guidance of a faculty mentor.

Prerequisite: Admission into the MFA program and completion of coursework in four residencies and four mentoring semesters.