Creative Writing
What courses should I take in my first year to see if this is the right major for me?
We recommend that you take any of the following courses: CRW 100, CRW 106, CRW 107, and CRW 112.
Are there any courses I am required or strongly encouraged to take in my first semester if I know I want to declare this major? Do any AP credits count for these requirements?
CRW 100 is not necessarily a requirement, but it’s a great course to get started with the Creative Writing major. If you cannot take CRW 100, or want to take additional courses in the major, any of the other 100-level courses would be great options as well.
What is the latest semester that I can start this major and still graduate in four years?
I would recommend declaring by the second semester of your sophomore year with the major requiring the completion of 11 courses. That said, students in other majors have realized that they can successfully complete Creative Writing as a double-major heading into their final semester because they’ve already fulfilled all but a couple of the requirements.
I am interested in many different subjects. What other majors, minors, or concentrations go well with this major?
The Creative Writing major has a lot of overlap with majors and minors in English, Psychology, Interactive Media, Screen Studies, Theater Arts, Sociology, History, and Philosophy. That said, Creative Writing advisees have also been able to declare a dual major/minor in seemingly unconnected disciplines such as Geography, Math, Finance, and Biology as well.
What else do you want incoming first year students to know about this major?
The creative writing major will allow you to develop your critical analysis skills while also having a lot of fun. The program has had students work on their own novels, poetry collections, podcasts, and done work in editing literary journals.
If I want to declare this as a major, who should I talk to and where do I go?
Feel free to reach out to any of our distinguished faculty for taking your first steps into declaring the Creative Writing major. You can also refer to our website here.
Summer Point of Contact:
Professor Lisa Kasmer (Department Chair) – lkasmer@clarku.edu
Professor Phil Lemos (Creative Writing Coordinator) – plemos@clarku.edu
