General Requirements
Writers read, and readers write: analytically, creatively, or in both modes. That’s why the English major brings together courses and concentrations in creative writing (WRT) and literature (LIT), including British, American, and international literature in English.
Overall, students must take at least 36 credits in LIT and WRT courses to fulfill their major with a literature concentration. At least 16 credits must be at the 300 and 400 level.
A maximum of 12 credits for the major may be transferred in from study abroad and non-Goucher programs.
A maximum of 4 credits of coursework at the 100-level in literature or creative writing may count towards the major, not including WRT 181 or WRT 101 .
Students pursuing certification to teach English at the secondary level should elect the literature concentration. See Secondary Education Certification, Grades 7-12 .
Students who entered Goucher before fall 2018 may elect with to complete the requirements set forth here or to complete those included in the Academic Catalogue in the student’s entering year.
LIT 200 is the WID (Writing within Disciplines) course required for English Majors in either concentration.
LIT 232 and LIT 265 are WEC (Writing Enriched Curriculum) courses available to English Majors, as well as students from any discipline (Prerequisite WRT 181 ). (Look for other literature-based WEC courses among Humanities Center’s CPE offerings)
The Concentration in Creative Writing
Requirements
LIT 200 - Close Reading, Critical Writing (2 Cr.) . (This WID course is required for LIT or WRT majors.)
Overall, students must take at least 36 credits in WRT and LIT courses to fulfill their major with the Creative Writing concentration.
The following WRT courses are required:
At the 200-level in Creative Writing, choose at least one of the following:
- WRT 202 Short Story Writing (4 Cr.)
- WRT 205 Introductory Poetry Workshop (4 Cr.)
- WRT 217 Literature & Film: Screenplay Adaptation (4 Cr.)
- WRT 226 Creative Nonfiction I (4 Cr.)
At the 300-level in Creative Writing, choose at least one of the following:
- WRT 305 Writing Workshop: Poetry (4 Cr.)
- WRT 306 Writing Workshop: Fiction (4 Cr.)
- WRT 307 Creative Nonfiction II (4 Cr.)
At the 400-level in Creative Writing, choose at least one of the following:
- WRT 414 Advanced Seminar in Creative Nonfiction (4 Cr.)
- WRT 415 Advanced Poetry Writing (4 Cr.)
- WRT 416 Advanced Fiction Writing (4 Cr.)
4 credits of additional coursework in creative writing at the 100, 200, 300, or 400-level are required.
The following courses may be of particular interest:
The remaining WRT and LIT courses required to meet the requirement of at least 36 credits in the major are the student’s choice, in consultation with her/his advisor.
Please pay attention to the following rules for the Creative Writing Concentration:
- Students must complete a total of at least 16 credits at the 300 and/or 400 levels in WRT or LIT.
- Please note that internships at the 300- and 400-levels may be applied to the major.
- We recommend that all English majors consider completing the college’s capstone requirement via LIT 497 or WRT 497 : Senior Capstone (2 Cr.).
For students intending to apply to graduate school in Creative Writing or to begin professional writing careers, WRT 499 Independent Study and/or LIT 495 Senior Thesis are strongly recommended.
Honors in the Major
Students can earn Honors in the Major by completing a Senior Thesis (WRT 495 or LIT 495 ) with a grade of A or A-, or by earning a minimum GPA of 3.70 in courses in the program.
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