Creative Writing Courses
Introduction to the craft of writing. Frequent in-class and home assignments to explore various writing techniques and hone developing skills. This course culminates in a final portfolio of completed fiction, poetry and short drama. Designed primarily for freshmen
(Also CAT 206) The focus is on writing a feature-length film and the basic elements of plot, protagonist, turning point, and resolution. You will be expected to complete a step outline of your story and the first act of your screenplay.
A seminar in the art and craft of playwrighting. Through classroom discussions, selected readings, writing assignments and critical feedback, each student creates a one-act play which is presented to the College community in an informal program of staged readings.
Introduction to the writing professions and to important contemporary practitioners of the craft. Frequent appearances by guest poets, fiction writer, journalists and editors who will discuss their work and the professional contexts within which they work. Specially designed workshops will allow students to explore a range of genres and writing styles.
Special focus in the study of writing, such as children’s literature, sports writing, travel writing and memoir. Can be repeated for credit.
Please contact your instructor for specific topic.
Through the study and practice of reading and writing fiction, students will analyze the work of published authors and apply established narrative techniques to their own writings. In instructor-led workshops, students will give as well as take constructive criticism, in order to generate a revised portfolio of their own works of fiction.
Through the student and practice of reading and writing poetry, students will analyze the works of published poets and apply established poetic techniques to their won writings. In instructor-led workshops, students will give as well as take constructive criticism, in order to generate a revised portfolio of their own poems.
Intensive work in fiction writing within the context of contemporary fiction. Study of modernist and post-modernist techniques. Frequent writing assignments designed to help students gain technical control of their writing and find their individual writer’s voice. This course culminates in a portfolio of original fiction (short stories or a novel-in-progress) and a public reading of original fiction for the College community.
A project-centered course in which students learn the editorial, proofreading and production sills necessary to produce a professional literary magazine. Some discussion also of the role of the literary magazine in contemporary writing and in the history of American letters. Culminates in the production of Blink, Bloomfield College’s literary magazine. Can be repeated once for credit.
Intensive work in poetry writing within the context of contemporary poetry. Study of the competing schools of modern poetry, from the New Formalists to the Nuyoricans. Frequent writing assignments designed to help students find their individual poetic voice. This course culminates in a portfolio of original poetry and a public reading of original poetry for the College community.
Intensive work in creative non-fiction, including the memoir, personal essay, epistolary forms, and travel writing. Frequent writing assignments designed to help students find an individual writing voice and hone their skills in prose. Culminates in a portfolio of original prose and a public reading for the college community
For English/Writing Concentration majors only. Preparation of a final undergraduate portfolio of original poetry or fiction. An in-depth study of one craft element in a twentieth-century writer’s work. Solo reading of original work for the Humanities Division and the College community.