Purpose

The B.A. Major in English with a Concentration in Creative Writing allows students to engage with a community of learning through courses focused on the activity of creative writing. The concentration represents a full spectrum of courses from beginning to advanced. Small classes and workshops ensure close collaboration between the faculty and the student. Workshops are taught by the graduate creative writing faculty, all published, award-winning writers.

Requirements

Students must complete 33 credit hours in English above the 100 level, with at least 21 credit hours at the 300–400 level, including:

1. ENG L260 Introduction to Advanced Study of Literature (3 cr.), recommended within the first 9 credit hours of the major.
2. One introductory genre course (3 cr.) approved for CASE Intensive Writing credit, chosen from
   • L203 Introduction to Drama
   • L204 Introduction to Fiction
   • L205 Introduction to Poetry
   • L206 Introduction to Prose (Excluding Fiction)
3. Three literary history courses (9 cr.) recommended within the first 21 credit hours of the major.
   • L310 Literary History 1: Beginnings through the Seventeenth Century
   • L312 Literary History 2: Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries
   • L316 Literary History 3: Twentieth and Twenty-first Centuries
4. L371 Critical Practices (3 cr.)
5. Four courses (12 cr.) in creative writing: one course at or above the 200 level; two courses (6 cr.) at or above the 300 level; one course at the 400 level chosen from W203, W301, W303, W311, W381, W383, W401, W403, W413. Note: At least one of the courses must be either W381 or W383.
6. One additional elective in English above the 100 level (3 cr.).

Students must also complete the degree requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Note: W202 and W205 are not approved for inclusion in the major or minor.

Recommendations  

Students interested in pursuing an M.F.A. in Creative Writing should consider completing the major’s concentration in creative writing. For advice in planning a course of study, students should consult their departmental advisor and the department’s website, https://english.indiana.edu/undergraduate/bachelor-of-arts/creative-writing-concentration.html. Each semester, the department publishes detailed descriptions of courses to be offered the following semester.