“I can honestly say, ‘I am a writer, and I couldn’t have done it anywhere but at Susquehanna where I’ve learned to be honest about my observations in this world.’” -----Jen Hawbaker ‘04

Requirements for the Writing Major

Requirements for the Writing Major emphasize literature and writing courses which will be most valuable in preparing students not only for careers in writing, but also for related careers in law, education, publishing, and editing. Courses are organized to offer breadth and depth, practical skills, and intensive independent writing, presentation, and production experiences.

The major requires forty-four hours of course work in the Department of English and Creative Writing as well as four hours in a cognate course approved by the department chair, with grades of C- or better, as follows:

Semester Hours

12    WR:280 courses (Creative Writing): chosen from Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Creative Nonfiction, Screenwriting, Editing and Publishing, Writing for Children, and Playwriting

4-8    WR:380 courses (Advanced Creative Writing): chosen from Fiction, Poetry, and Creative Nonfiction

4    EN: 265 Genre: Short story, novel, essay, drama, poetry, autobiography

4    EN:269 English Grammar and the Writing Process

4    EN:290 The Study of Literature

4    300-level course other than EN:335, 345; WR:380

4    WR:480 Senior Portfolio

2-4    EN:520 Practicum or EN:540 Internship

2-4    WR:580 Independent Writing

4    A cognate course outside of English and Creative Writing approved by the department chair

Minor in Writing. Writing minors complete, with grades of C- or better, at least 20 semester hours of course work with grades of C- or better in approved creative writing courses (WR:280, WR:380, WR:480, WR:580, and CO:131--Introduction to Journalism), including at least one course in WR:380 (Advanced Creative Writing). The writing minor is not open to students pursuing the writing major.