Creative Writing Minor

Ms. Laurie L. Kutchins, Coordinator
Phone: (540) 568-3756
Website: http://www.jmu.edu/english/undergraduate/minors.html

The cross disciplinary minor in creative writing is designed to encourage students to develop their writing talents across a number of literary forms and communication contexts.

Course offerings in poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, scriptwriting, screen and playwriting give students the opportunity to shape the minor to suit a variety of artistic interests and professional objectives. With the choice of at least one course from a group involving advanced topics, narrative and poetic forms, media criticism and film analysis, students will gain informed perspectives on current issues affecting readers, viewers, writers and their creative works. These courses support the core workshop courses and are vital to competence in the field.

The minimum requirement for a minor in creative writing is 18 hours. Two courses may be double-counted between the minor and the major. Students electing this minor may acquire more information from the creative writing adviser of the Department of English, the School of Media Arts and Design or the School of Theatre and Dance.

Required Courses

Select four or five core courses from two or more departments: 12-15 Credit Hours

ENG 391. Introduction to Creative Writing – Nonfiction 3.00
ENG 392. Introduction to Creative Writing - Poetry 3.00
ENG 393. Introduction to Creative Writing - Fiction 3.00
ENG 493. Advanced Creative Nonfiction 3.00
ENG 494. Advanced Poetry Writing 3.00
ENG 495. Advanced Fiction Writing 3.00
SMAD 250. Scriptwriting 3.00
SMAD 251. Screenplay Writing 3.00
SMAD 311. Feature Writing 3.00
SMAD 340. Advanced Screenplay Writing 3.00
SMAD 498. Senior Seminar in Media Arts and Design 3.00 (when topic is appropriate) ¹
THEA 347. Playwriting 3.00
THEA 441. Senior Seminar in Theatre 3.00 (when topic is appropriate) ¹
THEA 447. Advanced Playwriting 3.00

Select one or two support courses from the following: 3-6 Credit Hours

ENG 390. The Environmental Imagination 3.00
ENG 483. Narrative for m 3.00
ENG 484. Poetic Craft and Creativity 3.00
ENG 496. Advanced Topics in Creative Writing 3.00
SMAD 373. Media Analysis and Criticism 3.00
SMAD 463. Film Adaptations 3.00
THEA 481. Theory and Performance Studies 3.00

Total: 18 Credit Hours

¹ Students must check with the professor or creative writing coordinator to see if these courses are appropriate for this minor.