Western Washington University · Bellingham, Washington
English—Creative Writing Emphasis, BA
What Is the Study of English- Creative Writing?
English is one of the central liberal arts degrees. A background in English provides graduates with a sound basis for pursuing a variety of careers, including law, business, education, publishing and government, as well as graduate work in creative writing, language, literary and cultural studies, and writing. English engages students in diverse literary heritages as well as fosters the development of sophisticated abilities in critical analysis, creative inquiry, reflective reading, and effective communication and expression.
Why Should I Consider this Major?
The Creative Writing program focuses on writing courses: creative writing in fiction, drama, poetry, or nonfiction prose and includes coursework in literature to supplement the writing courses. Students in the upper-divisional courses are expected to interpret and analyze literature in thoughtful, organized, and clear essays that are free of mechanical errors. If you think you need help with your reading and writing, we strongly encourage you, in addition to your work in English courses, to consult the Writing Center and other University resources.
How to Declare:
The prerequisites for declaring the major are 75 credits completed and ENG 202.
To declare the major, contact the Undergraduate Program Coordinator, Linda Flanagan. Though the English department cannot guarantee immediate enrollment in the major or access to any specific class, we matriculate students into the major on a rolling basis as space is available and offer a wide variety of topics each term.
Advising Tips: Students are strongly encouraged to meet with the Undergraduate Program Coordinator, Linda Flanagan, early in their careers at Western. Students must declare their major by the start of their junior year.
Coursework
- 25 credits in literature (which may include literary/cultural theory and film studies) at the 300- or 400-level, including a minimum of three writing proficiency points in approved upper-division writing proficiency courses at WWU with a minimum grade of C-.
- ENG 370 - Introduction to Language (Students who earn a grade of 3.0 or better in Linguistics 201 may substitute a 300 or 400-level English course under advisement for English 370.)
- Two courses from:
- ENG 351 - Introduction to Fiction Writing
- ENG 353 - Introduction to Poetry Writing
- ENG 354 - Introduction to Creative Nonfiction Writing
- THTR 384 - Introduction to Dramatic Writing
- FAIR 354V - Scriptwriting Workshop I
- Four courses from:
- ENG 451 - Creative Writing Seminar - Fiction *
- ENG 453 - Creative Writing Seminar - Poetry *
- ENG 454 - Creative Writing Seminar - Creative Nonfiction *
- ENG 455 - Living Writers
- ENG 456 - Special Topics in Fiction Writing
- ENG 457 - Special Topics in Poetry Writing
- ENG 458 - Special Topics in Creative Nonfiction Writing
- ENG 459 - Editing and Publishing
- ENG 460 - Special Topics In Creative Writing - Multi-Genre
- THTR 485 - Dramatic Writing Workshop **
- FAIR 454Y - Scriptwriting Workshop II
- Creative writing courses offered by Canadian-American Studies may also be counted with approval of the English department advisor
- *One of these courses is repeatable with a different instructor to a maximum of 10 credits.
- ** May be repeated under separate topics to a maximum of 12 credits.
GURs:
These courses are offered within this major and may be used to satisfy GUR or Writing Proficiency Requirements.
- BCOM: ENG 202
- ACGM: ENG 335, 336
- BCGM: ENG 334, 338
Sample Careers
- Education
- Business Law
- Author
- Government
- Editing and Publishing
- Graduate work in Creative Writing
Department
Contact
Undergraduate Program Coordinator:
Linda Flanagan
HU 312
360- 650-3209
Linda.Flanagan@wwu.edu
Academic Advisor:
Kelly Magee
HU 371
360-650-2650
Kelly.Magee@wwu.edu