Creative Writing Legacy Major and Minor

Students who matriculated prior to Autumn 2026 are able to complete the former version of the major, the Legacy Creative Writing Major (listed as AY24 on Stellic MyPlanner). Please see the Legacy Major requirements below and visit the Legacy Major Transition Guide webpage for more information on course equivalencies as well as information on how to switch to the New Major.

• 1 Fundamentals in Creative Writing Seminar
• 1 Beginning Workshop (in primary genre)
• 2 Technical Seminars (in primary genre)
• 4 literature courses
  • 1 literary genre course (in primary genre)
  • 1 literary theory course
  • 1 pre-20th-century literature course
  • 1 general literature course
• 2 Advanced Workshops (at least 1 in primary genre)
• 2 Background Electives

= 12 Courses

Fundamentals in Creative Writing Seminar

The Fundamentals in Creative Writing course is an introductory multi-genre seminar to be taken by all students in the major and minor. Each section of the course focuses on a theme that is relevant to all forms of literary practice and introduces students to a group of core texts from the genres of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.

Beginning Workshop

Beginning Workshops are intended for students who may or may not have previous writing experience, but are interested in gaining experience in a particular genre. These workshops focus on the fundamentals of craft and feature workshops of student writing. Beginning workshops are a pre-requisite for advanced workshops in the same genre.

Technical Seminars (in Poetry, Fiction, or Nonfiction)

Technical Seminars are designed to give students a deep grounding in core technical elements of their primary genre. Coursework may involve creative exercises, but papers will focus on analysis of assigned readings.

Advanced Workshops

Critique is the core value and activity of the workshop environment. Students in Advanced Workshops will practice critique under the guidance of the workshop instructor. Advanced Workshops typically focus on original student work. Students must complete the fundamentals course as well as a beginning workshop in the relevant genre prior to enrolling in an advanced workshop.

Literary Genre Courses

This requirement can be met using a cross-listed English course or an eligible literature course offered by another department. The course's reading material should focus mostly on the student's genre of concentration. For a list of eligible courses, please visit this page.

Literature Courses

Students take four literature courses: one in the student’s genre of focus, one on literary theory, one on literature written before the twentieth century, and one elective. For a list of eligible ENGL courses and their categorizations, please visit this page.  

Courses in other departments cross-listed with an ENGL course number may also be used. In extenuating circumstances, majors may request approval for literature courses not cross-listed with ENGL by emailing an explanation and course description to the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Research Background Electives

Students take two courses outside of the Creative Writing program and the Department of English to support the student’s writing projects and research interests as a writer. While no formal petition is required, students will need to get approval by emailing a course description and brief explanation to the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Optional BA Thesis & Optional Thesis Workshop

Students have the option to complete a BA thesis/project in their fourth year and should declare intent by the end of Winter Quarter of their third year. Majors who complete a BA thesis/project and meet GPA requirements are eligible for consideration for honors. Students work on their BA project over four quarters. In Winter Quarter of their fourth year, students who wish to complete a thesis should enroll in one of the optional Thesis/Major Projects Workshops in their genre.

Students who matriculated prior to Autumn 2026 are able to complete the former version of the minor, the Legacy English and Creative Writing Minor (listed as AY24 on Stellic MyPlanner). Please see the Legacy Minor requirements below and visit the Legacy Minor Transition Guide webpage for more information on course equivalencies as well as information on how to switch to the New Minor.

• 1 Fundamentals in Creative Writing Seminar
• 2 Workshops
  • one Beginning Workshop
  • one Advanced Workshop in the same genre
• 3 CRWR or ENGL electives
• (Optional) 1 Thesis/Portfolio Workshop