Academics
- Academic Programs
- Accreditation
- Registrar's Office
- Academic Departments
- Academic Calendar
- Library
- Areas of Distinction
- Bookstore
- Graduate Programs
- Salem Signature
- Study Abroad
- Catalog
- January Term
- Center for Teaching Excellence
- Certificate Programs
- Academic Support
- Honors and Awards
- Commencement 2016
- Institutional Review Board
The creative writing major provides talented writing students an opportunity to enhance their powers of expression through the close reading of literature, the free exchange of ideas, and the production of original works of poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction. Our creative writing students have placed their work in regional and national publications and contests. They have been admitted to prestigious graduate programs such as Hollins, Columbia University, Johns Hopkins, Wichita State University, and others. They go on to law school, they edit magazines, and they work in publishing companies. Some teach in elementary, secondary, or post-secondary schools. Others work for non-profit organizations. All of our graduates have learned to use the written word as a tool to expand their ways of knowing and understanding our world.
Program Faculty
Helpful Links
Overview
Your Program
When you major in creative writing you declare a genre of emphasis in poetry, fiction or - unusual among college writing majors – creative non-fiction. You will also take a course in Special Topics, which could include screenwriting, novel writing, Sudden Fiction, epic or lyric poetry, or connected short fiction. Your major study will culminate in a Senior Seminar, in which you produce a significant portfolio of writing to present to the English Department faculty for critique.
Your Experience
Creative writers are a special breed of students. Your interests are often eclectic and always innovative. Those diverse interests are well served by intimate classes that meet in workshop settings to enable collective learning. You will be encouraged to publish poetry, fiction, and non-fiction in the student literary magazine, Incunabula, as well as to be part of the two honors societies, Sigma Tau Delta and Alpha Eta Kappa. You will also want to meet fellow student writers outside of class hours to work as a writing group, reading and critiquing each other’s work. You also have the opportunity to evaluate entries for the Salem College National Literary Awards, making you more familiar with elements involved in the literary and publishing worlds. Each semester culminates with a public reading where you may present your work to family, friends, and the College community. A singular advantage to student writers is that you may participate in master classes taught by regionally and nationally recognized writers who are brought to campus each semester by the Center for Women Writers.
Your Faculty
You will learn from creative writing faculty members who are passionate about writing and about their students. Professors continually develop strategies to aid you in cultivating an authentic and compelling writing voice. Faculty members are well published and are dedicated to establishing a writing community that nurtures and cultivates your individual talent. They share generously with you and other students, not only their own creative spirit but also the extensive network of literary relationships they have developed over the years.
Your Results
Writing is a cornerstone of a liberal arts education. Salem’s creative writing major empowers you to develop clarity of thought and expression, to think critically, to offer and accept criticism, and to study writing as craft. You may join other Salem graduates in earning MFAs or law degrees; editing magazines and working for publishing companies; teaching in the classroom; or working in non-profit organizations. You, like all of our graduates, will leave Salem having learned to use the written word as a tool to expand your ways of knowing and understanding our world.
Salem’s Department of English offers both a major and minor in creative writing. The creative writing major/minor offers talented students the opportunity for in-depth study and practice of the craft of imaginative writing. Through close readings, workshop discussions, and rigorous revision, students will be prepared to pursue graduate degrees in writing and/or English or to avail themselves of the many careers that value writing skills and critical thinking.
Major/Minor
The creative writing major and minor offer talented students the opportunity for in-depth study and practice of the craft of imaginative writing. Through close readings, workshop discussions, and rigorous revisions, students will be prepared to pursue graduate degrees in writing and to avail themselves of the many careers that value writing skills and critical thinking.
Students who major in both English and creative writing must fulfill all of the requirements for both majors.
Creative Writing Major (BA)
The creative writing major requires twelve courses; eight of these are offered in creative writing and four (4) are offered in English. At the end of their studies, students will have earned at least thirty-eight hours in creative writing and English.
Students will begin their studies with the gateway course, CRWR 212: Introduction to Creative Writing (must be taken at Salem to count toward the major or minor). After successful completion of this course, students will take both CRWR 217 (Introduction to Fiction/Creative Nonfiction) and CRWR 218 (Introduction to Poetry). Students will take at least one 300-level workshop-based course (313. Intermediate Fiction; 319. Intermediate Creative Non-Fiction; 321. Intermediate Poetry), an intensive professionalism and editing course (390. Managing a Literary Award and Editing for Publications), two CRWR electives and the Senior Seminar in Creative Writing (395).
Required Creative Writing Courses (20 hrs)
- CRWR 212. Introduction to Creative Writing (3 hrs)
- CRWR 217. Introductory Fiction and Creative Non-Fiction Workshop (3 hrs)
- CRWR 218. Introductory Poetry Workshop (3 hrs)
- CRWR 313. Intermediate Fiction Workshop or CRWR 319. Intermediate Creative Non-Fiction Workshop or CRWR 321. Intermediate Poetry Workshop (3 hrs each)
- CRWR 390. Managing a Literary Award and Editing for Publication (4 hrs)
- CRWR 395. Senior Seminar in Creative Writing (4 hrs)
Select two additional CRWR electives (6-8 hrs)
NOTE: Internships, Independent Studies, Special Topics, or other variable credit courses must be taken for a minimum of three semester hours to be used toward these electives.
Five of the eight creative writing courses (including CRWR 212 and 395) must be taken at Salem.
In addition to the above-mentioned required creative writing courses, the creative writing major requires students to complete three courses in English literature and/or literary theory, as well as an English elective, as follows:
One course from Category I–Literature and Language before 1700 (3-4 hrs):
- ENGL 208. Early Modern Female Dramatists: Sinners, Saints, and Sapphos (3 hrs)
- ENGL 231. Writing of and by Women: Survey of English Literature, 1370-1789 (3 hrs)
- ENGL 249. Gender, Race, and Ethnicity in Shakespeare (3 hrs)
- ENGL 348. The Rise of the Female Novelist, 1684-1900 (4 hrs)
- ENGL 352. Writing as Revolution! Milton and Seventeenth-Century Culture (4 hrs)
One course from Category II–Literature and language between 1700 and 1900 (3-4 hrs):
- ENGL 231. Writing of and by Women: Survey of English Literature, 1370-1789 (3 hrs)
- ENGL 232. Romantic to Post-Modern: Survey of English Literature, 1789-Present (3 hrs)
- ENGL 292. First Contact through Civil War: Survey of American Literature before 1870 (3 hrs)
- ENGL 293. The Culture of African-American Literature (3 hrs)
- ENGL 341. Visions, Violence and Violets: The Romantic Era, 1786-1832 (3 hrs)
- ENGL 346. Conservatism and Crisis: The Victorian Era, 1832-1901 (3 hrs)
- ENGL 348. The Rise of the Female Novelist, 1684-1900 (4 hrs)
One course from Category III–Literature and Language after 1900 (3-4 hrs):
- ENGL 223. Taboos, Experiments and the Other: Modern Drama (3 hrs)
- ENGL 232. Romantic to Post-Modern: Survey of English Lit, 1789-Present (3 hrs)
- ENGL 288. Rooms of Their Own: Women Writers, 1900-Present (3 hrs)
- ENGL 293. The Culture of African-American Literature (3 hrs)
- ENGL 294. Frontier, City, Soul: Survey of American Literature after 1870 (3 hrs)
- ENGL 295. Dream and Reality: Literature of the American South (3 hrs)
- ENGL 298. “Imaginary Gardens with Real Toads”: Engaging Modern American Poetry (3 hrs)
- ENGL 320. Pilgrims, Questers, and Warriors: American Fiction after 1945 (3 hrs)
- ENGL 325. Modern Writings from Women of the Non-Western World: Global Literature (4 hrs)
- ENGL 347. “Odd” Literary Couples: American Novel, 1900-1945 (3 hrs)
- ENGL 349. Race, Culture, and Identity in Multi-Ethnic Literature of the US (3 hrs)
- ENGL 399. A Game of Interpretation: Introduction to Contemporry Literary Theory (3 hrs)
One literature or literary studies elective.
NOTE: Internships, Independent Studies, Special Topics, or other variable credit courses must be taken for a minimum of three semester hours to be used toward these electives.
Creative Writing Minor
A minor in creative writing consists of five courses, four in creative writing and one in English literature and/or literary theory, totaling a minimum of fifteen semester hours. At least three of these courses must be taken at Salem, including CRWR 212.
NOTE: Internships, Independent Studies, Special Topics, or other variable credit courses must be taken for a minimum of three semester hours to be counted toward the minor.
Courses
Creative Writing Courses (CRWR)
CRWR 200. Independent Study in Creative Writing (1-4 hrs)
Independent study under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Open to students with a 2.0 cumulative average and permission of the chair of the department. Independent study may take the form of readings and/or research, and will include a substantial written project. Independent study may be taken for a total of twelve semester hours but no more than six hours in any term. Prerequisite: Previous study in creative writing and permission of the department.
CRWR 212. Introduction to Creative Writing (3 hrs)
This course is required of all creative writing majors and is a prerequisite to all creative writing courses. The course is organized for the fledgling creative writer and is designed to develop creative writing skills in poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction. Students will read contemporary poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction in order to deepen and broaden their understanding of the creative process and the craft of writing. This course must be taken at Salem College to count toward the major or minor. (HM)
CRWR 217. Introductory Fiction and Creative Non-Fiction Workshop (3 hrs)
In this workshop course in writing fiction and creative non-fiction, emphasis is on the craft of writing prose and how that craft contributes to meaning. The original prose of the students will make up the workshops. Workshop sessions will assist students in acquiring the skills necessary to evaluate with care the writing of others as well as their own writing. Course also includes a survey of selected writings by fiction and creative non-fiction writers. Prerequisite: CRWR 212.
CRWR 218. Introductory Poetry Workshop (3 hrs)
In this workshop course on writing poetry, emphasis is on the craft of poetry and how that craft contributes to meaning. The original poetry of students will make up the workshops. Workshop sessions will assist students in acquiring the skills necessary to evaluate with care the writing of others as well as their own writing. The course also includes a survey of selected writings by traditional and contemporary poets. Prerequisite: CRWR 212.
CRWR 220. Special Topics in Creative Writing (1-4 hrs)
Intensive investigation of a genre, topic, or craft issue. The subject matter of the course will be announced prior to the beginning of the course. Prerequisite: CRWR 212.
CRWR 223. Current Trends in Creative Writing (3 hrs)
This exploratory course will address current trends in creative writing, including but not limited to collaborations with other disciplines, genre literature, translations, and digital archive and research. The course will be reading and writing intensive. Students may take the course a maximum of two times as part of their course of study at Salem College. Prerequisite: CRWR 212 or permission of instructor or director. Offered January Term.
CRWR 270. Internship in Creative Writing (1-4 hrs)
The opportunity to use the knowledge and skills that the creative writing major/minor has learned through coursework in a professional setting. The apprenticeship aspect of the internship implies that the student will increase her knowledge and skills by direct contact with an experienced mentor. Open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors with at least a 2.0 cumulative average; no more than one internship can count toward the major; admission only by application.
CRWR 290. Honors Independent Study in Creative Writing (3-4 hrs)
Advanced independent study under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Open to juniors and seniors with a 3.5 G.P.A. in creative writing, subject to the approval of the chair of the department. Honors Independent Study may be taken for a maximum of two courses.
CRWR 313. Intermediate Fiction Workshop (3 hrs)
This workshop course in fiction writing builds upon the skills developed in CRWR 217 and addresses the essential strategies for writing and evaluating fiction. Students read, discuss, and analyze contemporary fiction and original fiction written for the class. Writing will focus on short fiction. Substantial original writing and outside reading required. Prerequisites: CRWR 212 and 217.
CRWR 319. Intermediate Creative Non-Fiction Workshop (3 hrs)
This workshop course in creative non-fiction builds upon the skills developed in CRWR 217 and addresses the essential strategies for writing and evaluating creative nonfiction. Students read, discuss, and analyze writings such as essays, biographies, and memoirs, as well as original creative non-fiction written for the class. Substantial original writing and outside reading required. In addition, students will discuss various modes of writing about personal experience and the aesthetic and ethical issues raised by such writing. Writing will focus on biography, essay, memoir, vignette, etc. Prerequisites: CRWR 212 and 217.
CRWR 321. Intermediate Poetry Workshop (3 hrs)
This workshop course in poetry builds upon the skills developed in CRWR 218 and addresses the essential strategies for writing and evaluating poetry. Students read, discuss, and analyze contemporary poetry and original poetry written for the class. Writing will focus on various forms of poetry. Substantial original writing and outside reading required. Prerequisites: CRWR 212 and 218.
CRWR 370. Special Topics in Creative Writing (1-4 hrs)
This advanced workshop course will put emphasis on a sustained creative writing project. Students will focus on manuscript preparation and should anticipate individual conferences with the professor. Topic will vary each semester and could include advanced poetry, fiction, or creative non-fiction. Additional possible topics might include novel writing, screenwriting, or writing for children. Students may take the course for credit more than once if the genre/topic differs or with approval from the professor. Prerequisites: CRWR 212 and one 300-level creative writing course taken at Salem in the genre of the special topic, or permission of instructor.
CRWR 390. Managing a Literary Award and Editing for Publication (4 hrs)
This is a two-prong course: (1) Students will serve as preliminary screeners for the International Literary Awards, which is offered annually in fiction, poetry, and creative non-fiction. Students will use editorial criteria to read, evaluate, and discuss entries, and students will be responsible for the preliminary selection process. They will help with the tasks of managing the entries, creating databases for the entries, communicating with entrants, promotion and marketing of the award, and will assist in the announcement of winners. (2) Students will submit creative work in their primary and secondary genre, to be read, evaluated, critiqued, and edited by members of the class. We will pay particular attention to the editorial side of these submissions instead of the drafting and revision side, so students will be expected to enter the course with polished work, ready for submission. Through research we will identify several literary journals, contests, writing retreats/colonies, and grants that are open to emerging writers; students will select journals and contests to submit to, and grants and retreats to potentially apply for. Each student will submit a proposal that includes a list of journals, contests, retreats, etc. that they will send their work to, along with a timeline to do so. Finally, students will learn to draft cover letters, grant proposals, and statements of purpose. Prerequisite: CRWR 212 and one additional creative writing course that does not include a Special Topics course (all taken at Salem). May be repeated twice for credit toward the major/minor.
CRWR 395. Senior Seminar in Creative Writing (4 hrs)
This capstone workshop course is open only to seniors or students who have completed all but one creative writing class and one literature course required for the creative writing major. The course involves intensive writing in the student’s genre of emphasis and will culminate in a substantial portfolio of original work: poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, or an appropriate genre as determined by the professor. Students will complete the course with a portfolio of writing that might be used as preparation for graduate study or a career in a related field. The course will conclude with a teaching demonstration.
Internships
Blair Publishing Co.
Winston-Salem Journal
Cosmogirl
Research assistant, Furman University
Sojourners Magazine
Fiction intern, White Wolf Publishing
Success Stories
Becoming a creative writing major at Salem will grant you the ability to combine your passion for studying literature with the innovative self-determination of creating your own stories, poems, and essays. The intimate classroom settings and one-on-one interaction with your professors will allow you to cultivate your talents, transforming your observations and musings into your own complete creative works. You will be encouraged to submit your work to a variety of contests, literary magazines, literary journals, and more. I remember that it was such a celebration when one of us received an award or publication! I am still in touch with my creative writing colleagues from Salem, and we still exchange emails and revel in one another’s literary victories. In my career, the valuable writing techniques I was taught at Salem benefit me every single day.
Melissa Cox
Class Year: 2012
Major: Creative writing
Career: Program manager of the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce; freelance writer
Your Program
When you major in creative writing you declare a genre of emphasis in poetry, fiction or - unusual among college writing majors – creative non-fiction. You will also take a course in Special Topics, which could include screenwriting, novel writing, Sudden Fiction, epic or lyric poetry, or connected short fiction. Your major study will culminate in a Senior Seminar, in which you produce a significant portfolio of writing to present to the English Department faculty for critique.
Your Experience
Creative writers are a special breed of students. Your interests are often eclectic and always innovative. Those diverse interests are well served by intimate classes that meet in workshop settings to enable collective learning. You will be encouraged to publish poetry, fiction, and non-fiction in the student literary magazine, Incunabula, as well as to be part of the two honors societies, Sigma Tau Delta and Alpha Eta Kappa. You will also want to meet fellow student writers outside of class hours to work as a writing group, reading and critiquing each other’s work. You also have the opportunity to evaluate entries for the Salem College National Literary Awards, making you more familiar with elements involved in the literary and publishing worlds. Each semester culminates with a public reading where you may present your work to family, friends, and the College community. A singular advantage to student writers is that you may participate in master classes taught by regionally and nationally recognized writers who are brought to campus each semester by the Center for Women Writers.
Your Faculty
You will learn from creative writing faculty members who are passionate about writing and about their students. Professors continually develop strategies to aid you in cultivating an authentic and compelling writing voice. Faculty members are well published and are dedicated to establishing a writing community that nurtures and cultivates your individual talent. They share generously with you and other students, not only their own creative spirit but also the extensive network of literary relationships they have developed over the years.
Your Results
Writing is a cornerstone of a liberal arts education. Salem’s creative writing major empowers you to develop clarity of thought and expression, to think critically, to offer and accept criticism, and to study writing as craft. You may join other Salem graduates in earning MFAs or law degrees; editing magazines and working for publishing companies; teaching in the classroom; or working in non-profit organizations. You, like all of our graduates, will leave Salem having learned to use the written word as a tool to expand your ways of knowing and understanding our world.
Salem’s Department of English offers both a major and minor in creative writing. The creative writing major/minor offers talented students the opportunity for in-depth study and practice of the craft of imaginative writing. Through close readings, workshop discussions, and rigorous revision, students will be prepared to pursue graduate degrees in writing and/or English or to avail themselves of the many careers that value writing skills and critical thinking.
The creative writing major and minor offer talented students the opportunity for in-depth study and practice of the craft of imaginative writing. Through close readings, workshop discussions, and rigorous revisions, students will be prepared to pursue graduate degrees in writing and to avail themselves of the many careers that value writing skills and critical thinking.
Students who major in both English and creative writing must fulfill all of the requirements for both majors.
Creative Writing Major (BA)
The creative writing major requires twelve courses; eight of these are offered in creative writing and four (4) are offered in English. At the end of their studies, students will have earned at least thirty-eight hours in creative writing and English.
Students will begin their studies with the gateway course, CRWR 212: Introduction to Creative Writing (must be taken at Salem to count toward the major or minor). After successful completion of this course, students will take both CRWR 217 (Introduction to Fiction/Creative Nonfiction) and CRWR 218 (Introduction to Poetry). Students will take at least one 300-level workshop-based course (313. Intermediate Fiction; 319. Intermediate Creative Non-Fiction; 321. Intermediate Poetry), an intensive professionalism and editing course (390. Managing a Literary Award and Editing for Publications), two CRWR electives and the Senior Seminar in Creative Writing (395).
Required Creative Writing Courses (20 hrs)
- CRWR 212. Introduction to Creative Writing (3 hrs)
- CRWR 217. Introductory Fiction and Creative Non-Fiction Workshop (3 hrs)
- CRWR 218. Introductory Poetry Workshop (3 hrs)
- CRWR 313. Intermediate Fiction Workshop or CRWR 319. Intermediate Creative Non-Fiction Workshop or CRWR 321. Intermediate Poetry Workshop (3 hrs each)
- CRWR 390. Managing a Literary Award and Editing for Publication (4 hrs)
- CRWR 395. Senior Seminar in Creative Writing (4 hrs)
Select two additional CRWR electives (6-8 hrs)
NOTE: Internships, Independent Studies, Special Topics, or other variable credit courses must be taken for a minimum of three semester hours to be used toward these electives.
Five of the eight creative writing courses (including CRWR 212 and 395) must be taken at Salem.
In addition to the above-mentioned required creative writing courses, the creative writing major requires students to complete three courses in English literature and/or literary theory, as well as an English elective, as follows:
One course from Category I–Literature and Language before 1700 (3-4 hrs):
- ENGL 208. Early Modern Female Dramatists: Sinners, Saints, and Sapphos (3 hrs)
- ENGL 231. Writing of and by Women: Survey of English Literature, 1370-1789 (3 hrs)
- ENGL 249. Gender, Race, and Ethnicity in Shakespeare (3 hrs)
- ENGL 348. The Rise of the Female Novelist, 1684-1900 (4 hrs)
- ENGL 352. Writing as Revolution! Milton and Seventeenth-Century Culture (4 hrs)
One course from Category II–Literature and language between 1700 and 1900 (3-4 hrs):
- ENGL 231. Writing of and by Women: Survey of English Literature, 1370-1789 (3 hrs)
- ENGL 232. Romantic to Post-Modern: Survey of English Literature, 1789-Present (3 hrs)
- ENGL 292. First Contact through Civil War: Survey of American Literature before 1870 (3 hrs)
- ENGL 293. The Culture of African-American Literature (3 hrs)
- ENGL 341. Visions, Violence and Violets: The Romantic Era, 1786-1832 (3 hrs)
- ENGL 346. Conservatism and Crisis: The Victorian Era, 1832-1901 (3 hrs)
- ENGL 348. The Rise of the Female Novelist, 1684-1900 (4 hrs)
One course from Category III–Literature and Language after 1900 (3-4 hrs):
- ENGL 223. Taboos, Experiments and the Other: Modern Drama (3 hrs)
- ENGL 232. Romantic to Post-Modern: Survey of English Lit, 1789-Present (3 hrs)
- ENGL 288. Rooms of Their Own: Women Writers, 1900-Present (3 hrs)
- ENGL 293. The Culture of African-American Literature (3 hrs)
- ENGL 294. Frontier, City, Soul: Survey of American Literature after 1870 (3 hrs)
- ENGL 295. Dream and Reality: Literature of the American South (3 hrs)
- ENGL 298. “Imaginary Gardens with Real Toads”: Engaging Modern American Poetry (3 hrs)
- ENGL 320. Pilgrims, Questers, and Warriors: American Fiction after 1945 (3 hrs)
- ENGL 325. Modern Writings from Women of the Non-Western World: Global Literature (4 hrs)
- ENGL 347. “Odd” Literary Couples: American Novel, 1900-1945 (3 hrs)
- ENGL 349. Race, Culture, and Identity in Multi-Ethnic Literature of the US (3 hrs)
- ENGL 399. A Game of Interpretation: Introduction to Contemporry Literary Theory (3 hrs)
One literature or literary studies elective.
NOTE: Internships, Independent Studies, Special Topics, or other variable credit courses must be taken for a minimum of three semester hours to be used toward these electives.
Creative Writing Minor
A minor in creative writing consists of five courses, four in creative writing and one in English literature and/or literary theory, totaling a minimum of fifteen semester hours. At least three of these courses must be taken at Salem, including CRWR 212.
NOTE: Internships, Independent Studies, Special Topics, or other variable credit courses must be taken for a minimum of three semester hours to be counted toward the minor.
Creative Writing Courses (CRWR)
CRWR 200. Independent Study in Creative Writing (1-4 hrs)
Independent study under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Open to students with a 2.0 cumulative average and permission of the chair of the department. Independent study may take the form of readings and/or research, and will include a substantial written project. Independent study may be taken for a total of twelve semester hours but no more than six hours in any term. Prerequisite: Previous study in creative writing and permission of the department.
CRWR 212. Introduction to Creative Writing (3 hrs)
This course is required of all creative writing majors and is a prerequisite to all creative writing courses. The course is organized for the fledgling creative writer and is designed to develop creative writing skills in poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction. Students will read contemporary poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction in order to deepen and broaden their understanding of the creative process and the craft of writing. This course must be taken at Salem College to count toward the major or minor. (HM)
CRWR 217. Introductory Fiction and Creative Non-Fiction Workshop (3 hrs)
In this workshop course in writing fiction and creative non-fiction, emphasis is on the craft of writing prose and how that craft contributes to meaning. The original prose of the students will make up the workshops. Workshop sessions will assist students in acquiring the skills necessary to evaluate with care the writing of others as well as their own writing. Course also includes a survey of selected writings by fiction and creative non-fiction writers. Prerequisite: CRWR 212.
CRWR 218. Introductory Poetry Workshop (3 hrs)
In this workshop course on writing poetry, emphasis is on the craft of poetry and how that craft contributes to meaning. The original poetry of students will make up the workshops. Workshop sessions will assist students in acquiring the skills necessary to evaluate with care the writing of others as well as their own writing. The course also includes a survey of selected writings by traditional and contemporary poets. Prerequisite: CRWR 212.
CRWR 220. Special Topics in Creative Writing (1-4 hrs)
Intensive investigation of a genre, topic, or craft issue. The subject matter of the course will be announced prior to the beginning of the course. Prerequisite: CRWR 212.
CRWR 223. Current Trends in Creative Writing (3 hrs)
This exploratory course will address current trends in creative writing, including but not limited to collaborations with other disciplines, genre literature, translations, and digital archive and research. The course will be reading and writing intensive. Students may take the course a maximum of two times as part of their course of study at Salem College. Prerequisite: CRWR 212 or permission of instructor or director. Offered January Term.
CRWR 270. Internship in Creative Writing (1-4 hrs)
The opportunity to use the knowledge and skills that the creative writing major/minor has learned through coursework in a professional setting. The apprenticeship aspect of the internship implies that the student will increase her knowledge and skills by direct contact with an experienced mentor. Open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors with at least a 2.0 cumulative average; no more than one internship can count toward the major; admission only by application.
CRWR 290. Honors Independent Study in Creative Writing (3-4 hrs)
Advanced independent study under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Open to juniors and seniors with a 3.5 G.P.A. in creative writing, subject to the approval of the chair of the department. Honors Independent Study may be taken for a maximum of two courses.
CRWR 313. Intermediate Fiction Workshop (3 hrs)
This workshop course in fiction writing builds upon the skills developed in CRWR 217 and addresses the essential strategies for writing and evaluating fiction. Students read, discuss, and analyze contemporary fiction and original fiction written for the class. Writing will focus on short fiction. Substantial original writing and outside reading required. Prerequisites: CRWR 212 and 217.
CRWR 319. Intermediate Creative Non-Fiction Workshop (3 hrs)
This workshop course in creative non-fiction builds upon the skills developed in CRWR 217 and addresses the essential strategies for writing and evaluating creative nonfiction. Students read, discuss, and analyze writings such as essays, biographies, and memoirs, as well as original creative non-fiction written for the class. Substantial original writing and outside reading required. In addition, students will discuss various modes of writing about personal experience and the aesthetic and ethical issues raised by such writing. Writing will focus on biography, essay, memoir, vignette, etc. Prerequisites: CRWR 212 and 217.
CRWR 321. Intermediate Poetry Workshop (3 hrs)
This workshop course in poetry builds upon the skills developed in CRWR 218 and addresses the essential strategies for writing and evaluating poetry. Students read, discuss, and analyze contemporary poetry and original poetry written for the class. Writing will focus on various forms of poetry. Substantial original writing and outside reading required. Prerequisites: CRWR 212 and 218.
CRWR 370. Special Topics in Creative Writing (1-4 hrs)
This advanced workshop course will put emphasis on a sustained creative writing project. Students will focus on manuscript preparation and should anticipate individual conferences with the professor. Topic will vary each semester and could include advanced poetry, fiction, or creative non-fiction. Additional possible topics might include novel writing, screenwriting, or writing for children. Students may take the course for credit more than once if the genre/topic differs or with approval from the professor. Prerequisites: CRWR 212 and one 300-level creative writing course taken at Salem in the genre of the special topic, or permission of instructor.
CRWR 390. Managing a Literary Award and Editing for Publication (4 hrs)
This is a two-prong course: (1) Students will serve as preliminary screeners for the International Literary Awards, which is offered annually in fiction, poetry, and creative non-fiction. Students will use editorial criteria to read, evaluate, and discuss entries, and students will be responsible for the preliminary selection process. They will help with the tasks of managing the entries, creating databases for the entries, communicating with entrants, promotion and marketing of the award, and will assist in the announcement of winners. (2) Students will submit creative work in their primary and secondary genre, to be read, evaluated, critiqued, and edited by members of the class. We will pay particular attention to the editorial side of these submissions instead of the drafting and revision side, so students will be expected to enter the course with polished work, ready for submission. Through research we will identify several literary journals, contests, writing retreats/colonies, and grants that are open to emerging writers; students will select journals and contests to submit to, and grants and retreats to potentially apply for. Each student will submit a proposal that includes a list of journals, contests, retreats, etc. that they will send their work to, along with a timeline to do so. Finally, students will learn to draft cover letters, grant proposals, and statements of purpose. Prerequisite: CRWR 212 and one additional creative writing course that does not include a Special Topics course (all taken at Salem). May be repeated twice for credit toward the major/minor.
CRWR 395. Senior Seminar in Creative Writing (4 hrs)
This capstone workshop course is open only to seniors or students who have completed all but one creative writing class and one literature course required for the creative writing major. The course involves intensive writing in the student’s genre of emphasis and will culminate in a substantial portfolio of original work: poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, or an appropriate genre as determined by the professor. Students will complete the course with a portfolio of writing that might be used as preparation for graduate study or a career in a related field. The course will conclude with a teaching demonstration.
Becoming a creative writing major at Salem will grant you the ability to combine your passion for studying literature with the innovative self-determination of creating your own stories, poems, and essays. The intimate classroom settings and one-on-one interaction with your professors will allow you to cultivate your talents, transforming your observations and musings into your own complete creative works. You will be encouraged to submit your work to a variety of contests, literary magazines, literary journals, and more. I remember that it was such a celebration when one of us received an award or publication! I am still in touch with my creative writing colleagues from Salem, and we still exchange emails and revel in one another’s literary victories. In my career, the valuable writing techniques I was taught at Salem benefit me every single day.
Melissa Cox
Class Year: 2012
Major: Creative writing
Career: Program manager of the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce; freelance writer
Blair Publishing Co.
Winston-Salem Journal
Cosmogirl
Research assistant, Furman University
Sojourners Magazine
Fiction intern, White Wolf Publishing