Creative Writing - Bachelor of Arts (30 Credits)
(30 credits plus 11 credits of experiential learning)
Focusing on the genres of Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry, Writing for Children and Young Adults and Scriptwriting, the Creative Writing Major allows students to integrate theory and practice in a course of study that blends critical writing, creative writing, professional experience and emphasis on publication. Students work closely with faculty on strategies for composition and revision, while approaching the work of master writers through craft-based analysis. Intimate classroom settings foster a collaborative approach to learning via the interaction between peers and faculty where students and faculty push each other to achieve the best and most honest work possible.
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offers a course in Magazine Production that yields our Literary Arts Magazine, Commonthought. Students have the chance to participate in all aspects of the publication process from submission to editing to layout to final publication. Students also have access to a variety of professional internships in a wide range of settings, including literary arts magazines, arts organizations, and publishers, which offer opportunities to explore careers in writing in the greater Boston area.
Outcomes of the Creative Writing Major:
- Students will study and analyze accomplished works of literature from multiple identities and cultures.
- Students will read and write in multiple genres through art and craft courses at the introductory and advanced levels.
- Students will engage in critical, collaborative workshops and learn to apply feedback in order to draft and revise their work.
- Students will practice and gain confidence in sharing their work in both classroom and public settings.
- Students will gain and apply experience in various creative and professional settings.
Degree Requirements
Required Core (12 Credits):
Support Courses (6 Credits):
Choose CLITR or CHUMS courses at the 3000-Level and above, with at least 3 credits focusing on your genre of study from the following:
Creative Writing Craft and Reflection (12 Credits):
Choose TWELVE credits from the following, of which THREE must be 3000 level or higher and SIX must be in the study of your chosen genre.
Creative Writing majors must declare one primary genre by the end of second semester sophomore year. In consultation with faculty advisor and/or a Creative Writing faculty mentor, genre choice may be determined according to number of courses taken in a genre and/or academic or career goals. Creative Writing majors write a capstone work in their chosen genre in the Creative Writing Senior Seminar. Students must complete the advanced, 3000-level course in their chosen genre prior to enrolling in the Senior Seminar.
Professional / Experiential Component (11 Credits):
If the student declares an Education Major or Minor, the internship requirement is satisfied with student teaching in the Major or Minor. All Education majors must select CCRWT 2430 in their Craft and Reflection choices.
If the student declares any other double major, the internship requirement must be satisfied in the major with the greater number of credits in its experiential component. If they're the same, the student may choose one. Every effort will be made to have one of the internships encompass the objectives of the other major.
Students may choose to do an additional internship in their other major.
Other Requirements: Foreign Language Competency
Competencies in foreign language for the Creative Writing Major are fulfilled by:
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taking two semesters of American Sign Language, French, German, Italian, Portuguese or Spanish at the university level.
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If students enter Lesley with the proficiency to take American Sign Language II, French II, German II, Italian II, Portuguese II or Spanish II, and they pass that course, this will also satisfy the foreign language competency.
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Students who have already achieved a proficiency equal to two full semesters of college language instruction before entering Lesley have the following options for satisfying this requirement:
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Before entering Lesley, students may take an AP language exam or CLEP exam and satisfy the language requirement if they score a grade of four or higher (AP) or 50 or above (CLEP).
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After entering Lesley, students who wish to demonstrate language competency will be referred to the Foreign Language Coordinator.
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Students may take a competency exam in any of the languages offered at Lesley under the supervision of the Foreign Language Coordinator. This exam will be equivalent to a final exam given to students in American Sign Language II, French II, German II, Italian II, Portuguese II, or Spanish II. A grade of B or higher in this test will waive the language requirement; a grade ranging from C to B- will place student at the second semester level.
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Students who wish to demonstrate language competency in any other foreign language must take the CLEP or an equivalent exam as approved by the Foreign Language Coordinator.