Advanced Certificate in Creative Writing
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
CWL 500 - Introduction to Graduate Writing
A seminar that introduces students to one another, the faculty, the program in Writing
and Literature, and to issues in contemporary writing. Offered in conjunction with
the Writers Reading Series. Students will attend the regular series of readings sponsored
by the Writing program and meet at weekly intervals under the direction of a faculty
advisor to discuss and write about topics raised in the lecture series, as well as
issues generated from seminar discussions.
4 credits, ABCF grading
CWL 510 Forms of Fiction
Regular submission, discussion, and analysis of students’ work in one or more of the
modes of fiction, including the short story, the novella, and the novel. Writing assignments
may include exercises, imitations, responses, and original work. Students will examine
relevant works that illustrate point of view, character development, dialogue, plot,
setting, theme, motif, and other aspects of fiction.
Specific mode or topic to be studied will be announced in the course schedule.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor and/or Departmental consent
4 credits, ABCF grading
May be repeated for credit
CWL 520 Forms of Poetry
Regular submission, discussion, and analysis of students’ work in one or more of the
modes of poetry. Writing assignments may include exercises, imitations, responses,
and original work. Students will examine relevant works that illustrate structural
principles, metrical and syntactical rhythm, sound and rhyme, formal and stanzaic
organization, the use of figurative language, and other aspects of poetry.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor and/or program director
4 credits, ABCF grading
May be repeated for credit
CWL 530 Forms of Scriptwriting
Regular submission, discussion, and analysis of students’ work in one or more of the
contemporary modes of scriptwriting, including writing for film, theater, radio, and
television. Writing assignments may include exercises, imitations, responses, and
original work. Students will examine relevant works that illustrate point of view,
character development, dialogue, plot, setting, and other techniques vital to scriptwriting.
Specific mode or topic to be studied will be announced in the course schedule.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor and/or program director
4 credits, ABCF grading
May be repeated for credit
CWL 540 Forms of Creative Nonfiction
Regular submission, discussion, and analysis of students’ work in one or more of the
contemporary fields of nonfiction writing, including biography, autobiography, memoir,
expository writing, and social commentary. Writing assignments may include exercises,
imitations, responses, and original work. Students will examine relevant works that
illustrate the methods and techniques available to the nonfiction writer. Specific
mode or topic to be studied will be announced in the course schedule.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor and/or program director
4 credits, ABCF grading
May be repeated for credit
CWL 550 Forms of Professional and Scientific Writing
Regular submission, discussion, and analysis of students’ work in one or more of the
contemporary modes of professional writing, including technological writing; writing
about science; and writing for advertising, business, and public relations, as well
as for governmental, educational, and professional organizations.
Writing assignments may include exercises, imitations, responses, and original work.
Students will examine relevant works that illustrate the strategies available in modern
professional communication. Specific mode or topic to be studied will be announced
in the course schedule.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor and/or program director
4 credits, ABCF grading
May be repeated for credit
CWL 565 Special Topics in Writing
A seminar concentrating on a specific topic or concern in writing. The particular
theme of the course will be announced in the course schedule. Topics may include,
among others, studies of character development, the uses of humor, writing about place,
finding one’s voice, and narrative style. Written work will be supported by the reading
of related texts.
4 credits, ABCF grading
May be repeated for credit
CWL 570 Advanced Writing Workshop
The focus is on work in progress and the extension of the manuscript. The workshop
is open to students interested in any form of writing. Students are encouraged to
pursue their own writing interests while simultaneously being exposed to the work
of others in varying genres. Regular writing is required, and vigorous analysis and
discussion are encouraged. Strongly recommended for students preparing for the thesis.
4 credits, ABCF grading
May be repeated for credit
CWL 575 Writers Conference
The Southampton Writers Conference is an intensive program of workshops in contemporary
writing that includes lectures, readings, workshops, and panels featuring nationally
distinguished authors who join the Department’s summer faculty. Graduate students
in the program will assist in planning and running the Conference, and will have the
option of taking a Conference workshop for credit. The Writers Conference will also
encourage participation by visiting students, new writers, established writers, teachers
of writing, and editors who will be admitted by application and may receive academic
credit
upon request.
1-6 credits, ABCF grading
May be repeated for up to six credits