cu boulder creative writing minor

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University Catalog 2016-2017

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The undergraduate degree in English emphasizes knowledge and awareness of:

• canonical and non-canonical works of English and American literature
• the history of British and American literature 
• literary theories, including recent theoretical developments
• the social and historical contexts in which the traditions developed   

In addition, students completing the degree in English are expected to acquire the ability and skills to:

• analyze literary texts; 
• interpret texts on the basis of such analysis;
• relate analyses and interpretations of different texts to one another; and
• communicate such interpretations competently in written form.

The undergraduate degree in creative writing emphasizes knowledge and awareness of:

• literary works, including the genres of fiction, poetry, playwriting and screenwriting, and the major texts of contemporary writers
• literary history, including the origins and development of genres, major writers of the past and the role of the writer in society
• literary analysis, including theories of literary composition and critical theory

In addition, students completing the degree in creative writing are expected to acquire the ability and skills to:

• write in various poetic modes and styles
• write in various fictive styles
• write in various nonfiction styles 
• evaluate other students’ written work

Course code for this program is ENGL.

Bachelor's Degree Program(s)

Bachelor of arts in english.

A minimum of 12 hours of upper-division course work for the English major must be completed on the Boulder campus. English courses taken at other colleges must be evaluated by the Department of English. Courses taken in other departments (except approved cross-listed courses) normally do not count toward the English major. English courses taken on a  pass/fail  basis do not fulfill major requirements. Independent study credit hours cannot fulfill a major requirement unless that requirement is not being offered or available within the year that the student graduates. 

Note: For the Advanced Placement examination in English literature and composition, students will receive credit for ENGL 1500 for an exam score of 4 or 5.

Students must complete the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences and one of the two programs listed below.

Students must complete the major requirements in effect at the time they formally declare the major. A minimum of 36 credit hours must be earned in the Department of English, 18 of which must be upper division. Requirements may be fulfilled by taking specific courses designated by the Department of English.

Required Courses and Semester Credit Hours

• ENGL 2102 Literary Analysis—3
• ENGL 2112 Introduction to Literary Theory—3
• One course from each of the following: British Literature to 1660; British Literature, 1660-1900; American Literature; Studies in Ethnicity, Race, Disability, Gender and Sexuality; and Literatures in English, 1900 to Present—15
• Two courses from: Genre, Media and Advanced Writing—6
• ENGL 4039 Critical Thinking in English Studies—3
• Two elective courses in English—6
• In addition to the 36 hours required for the major, another 9 hours may be taken, for a maximum of 45 hours in English.
• The recommended sequence of courses to be taken during the initial year of the literature program is ENGL 2102 and an English elective for the first semester, and ENGL 2112 and a 2000-level ENGL course for the second semester.

Creative Writing

Students are subject to those major requirements in effect at the time they formally declare the major.

A minimum of 36 credit hours must be earned in the Department of English, 18 of which must be upper division.

• One course from either of the following: British Literature to 1660 or British Literature 1660-1900—3
• One course from one of the following: American Literature; Studies in Ethnicity, Race, Disablity, Gender and Sexuality; or Literatures in English, 1900 to the Present—3
• One course from Genre, Media and Advanced Writing—3
• Six creative writing workshops taken in progressive order, three of which must be upper division—18
• The sequence of creative writing workshops must begin with ENGL 1191 Introduction to Creative Writing and proceed through the 2000-level, 3000-level and 4000-level workshops.

Students declare the creative writing track when declaring their English major with the help of an academic advisor. Students should declare no later than the second semester of their junior year. In order to take workshops beyond the 2000-level, students must declare the creative writing track or the creative writing minor. Each workshop may be taken three times for credit, except for ENGL 1191. All students completing the creative writing track must take and complete a 4000-level writing workshop. Students may not take two poetry or two fiction workshops in the department in the same semester. Students must satisfy all prerequisites in sequence with a grade of B or better before moving on to the workshop at the next level.

Minor Program in Literature

Declaration of a minor is open to any student enrolled at CU-Boulder, regardless of college or school. Students majoring in English, literature or creative writing track, cannot declare a Literature minor. Students are subject to those minor requirements in effect at the time they formally declare the minor.

Completion of the minor requires 18 credit hours with grades of C- or better, at least 12 of which must be upper division.

• One additional ENGL course at the 2000-level or above—3
• Two ENGL courses at the 3000-level or above—6
• Two ENGL courses at the 4000-level or above—6

Students may not apply creative writing courses toward the English Literature Minor, and this includes ENGL 3041 (“Studies in Fiction and Poetry”).  Students must maintain at least a 2.00 (C) GPA in all CU ENGL courses.  

Students may apply no more than 9 credit hours of transfer work, including no more than 6 upper division credit hours, towards a minor. This is a college residency rule for an 18 credit minor .

Minor Program in Creative Writing

Declaration of a minor is open to any student enrolled at CU-Boulder, regardless of college or school. Students majoring in English, literature or creative writing track, cannot declare a creative writing minor. Students are subject to those minor requirements in effect at the time they formally declare the minor.

Completion of the minor requires 18 credit hours, at least 9 of which must be upper division.

• ENGL 1191 Intro to Creative Writing—3
• ENGL 3041 Studies in Fiction and Poetry—3
• Four creative writing workshops, taken in progressive order—12

Admission to the creative writing minor can be made at any time after a student completed ENGL 1191 Introduction to Creative Writing. Three hours of transfer workshop credits can be applied with department approval. Students should ideally apply no later than the second semester of their junior year.

In order to take workshops beyond the 2000-level, students must declare the creative writing track or the creative writing minor. Each workshop may be taken three times for credit, except for ENGL 1191. All students completing the creative writing track must take and complete a 4000-level writing workshop. Students may not take two poetry or two fiction writing workshops in the department in the same semester. Students must satisfy all prerequisites in sequence with a grade of B or better before moving on to the workshop at the next level.

Upon declaring an English major, students are assigned an English advisor. The advisors are available to meet with students by appointment or on a drop-in basis. The advisors monitor and evaluate student progress in completing the arts and sciences core curriculum and major requirements, and certify students for graduation. The department encourages students to meet with their primary advisor at least once each semester to update their student file and ensure that they are making satisfactory progress in meeting the core and major requirements.

Graduating in Four Years

Consult the Four-Year Guarantee Requirements for information. The concept of “adequate progress” as it is used here only refers to maintaining eligibility for the four-year guarantee; it is not a requirement for the major. To maintain adequate progress in English, students should meet the following requirements:

• Declare the English major and begin course work in the major no later than the beginning of the second semester.
• Successfully complete one-third of the hour requirements for the major by the end of the fourth semester. For literature track majors, this includes ENGL 2102, 2112, an English elective and any 2000-level course for the major. For creative writing track majors, this includes ENGL 2102, 1191, 2112 and 2021 or 2051, as well as formal admission to the program.
• Successfully complete two-thirds of the hour requirements for the major by the end of the sixth semester. 
• Successfully complete the remaining major requirements by the end of the eighth semester.

Departmental Honors

Students interested in pursuing a special program leading to graduation with departmental honors should confer with the associate chair for undergraduate studies as soon as possible, but definitely no later than the beginning of spring term in their junior year.

Students Who Contemplate Teaching

Sheets listing the curriculum required for a teaching license for secondary schools may be obtained in Education 151. Since fulfilling requirements for both education and English makes a very tight schedule, students should seek early advising to complete their college requirements. For additional information, visit  teaching licensure . 

Undergraduate English Awards and Prizes

The Alex McGuiggan Scholarship  was established in spring 2010 to recognize the achievement of an undergraduate English major studying creative writing with a preference for students whose strength is in writing poetry. The scholarship was established in memory of Alex McGuiggan, an English major at the University of Colorado Boulder.

The Curtis Michael Gimeno Memorial Scholarship.  This scholarship benefits students with a creative writing emphasis who exemplify promise of talent in communicating through the written language. The scholarship was generously established by Donna Jorgenson Farrell in memory of and as a legacy to her son, Curtis Michael Gimeno, who enjoyed writing. 

The Gentian Ascension Scholarship.  This scholarship is a variable annual award established to benefit an undergraduate student who exhibits a past that demonstrates overcoming academic obstacles and shows budding talent as a writer.

Graduate Degree Program(s)

Graduate study in english, admissions requirements.

Master’s Degree in English. The MA program combines courses in global literatures in English and literary theory with rigorous training in critical analysis.  Applicants must complete the verbal, analytic, and quantitative sections of the GRE General Test and hold a bachelors degree by the time they enter the program.  

Master of Fine Arts Degree in Creative Writing. Applicants interested in creative writing must complete the verbal, analytic, and quantitative sections of the GRE General Test. A BA degree with an English major or at least 18 credits hours in English is normally required. Each applicant must submit a manuscript of at least 10 pages or poetry or 25 pages of fiction or nonfiction prose (other than literary criticism).

Doctoral Degree in English. The PhD program offers rigorous training in critical analysis and research for professional placement. Applicants must complete the verbal, analytic, and quantitative sections of the GRE General Test and hold either an MA or BA degree in English. Those with a BA who apply directly to the PhD program may be considered also for the MA program.

Degree Requirements

Students wishing to pursue graduate work in English should note requirements for advanced degrees in the Graduate School section and write the department for a more complete description of graduate programs in English, or visit  www.colorado.edu/English .

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Degree Enhancers

Creative writing minor.

Students who are not majoring English, and who have an interest in writing poetry or fiction, may enroll in the creative writing minor. The minor gives students the opportunity to complement their area of major study with experience writing and reading poetry or fiction.

General Requirements 

Students minoring in creative writing must complete a minimum of 15 ENGL credit hours. Students must complete a minimum of  6 upper-division (3000-level and above) ENGL credit hoursNone of the required courses may be taken pass/fail. Only courses completed with a grade of C- (1.7) or better may be counted toward the minor. Students must complete a minimum of 9 credit hours with CU Denver faculty. Students should take ENGL 1020 before beginning the minor. 

I. Required Courses: (9 credit hours)

• ENGL 2156 Introduction to Creative Writing  
• ENGL 2450 Introduction to Literature and FIlm
• ENGL 3020 Poetry Workshop OR
• ENGL 3050, Fiction Workshop

II. Area Requirements: (3 credit hours)

     choose 1 corresponding poetry or fiction course:.

• ENGL 4025 Advanced Poetry Workshop OR
• ENGL 4055 Advanced Fiction Workshop OR
• ENGL 3020 or 3050 Writing Workshop (not previously taken)

III. Elective in Genre of Specialization: (3 credit hours)

      poetry: students who have taken engl 3020 choose one: .

• ENGL 4160 Poetics 
• ENGL 4166 History of American Poetry 
• ENGL 4320 History of Poetry in English
• ENGL 4800-4805 Special Topics in Creative Writing (poetry emphasis)

      Fiction: Students who have taken ENGL 3050 choose one: 

• ENGL 4200/4210 Survey of the English Novel to 1900
• ENGL 4230 The American Novel 
• ENGL 4236 The American Short Story 
• ENGL 4800-4805 Special Topics in Creative Writing (fiction emphasis)

15 Hours to Complete Minor

• Major - Creative Writing
• Major - English Writing, Rhetoric and Technology
• Major - Literature and Film Option, BA
• Minor - Creative Writing
• Minor - English Writing, Rhetoric, and Technology
• Minor - Film Studies
• Minor - Literature
• Certificate - Proposal and Grant Writing (PGW)
• Certificate - Technical and Professional Writing Certificate (TPW)
• Certificate - Undergraduate Certificate in Teaching English Language Learners (CTELL)
• Certificate - Writing & Editing with AI
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Minor in English

Our students become accomplished writers, clear thinkers and careful readers who can employ those skills in a wide range of satisfying careers and to a host of complementary majors.

With a minor in English, you’ll gain training to write clearly, think critically and read carefully. We believe studying English cultivates humanistic and global empathy, and empowers students to be engaged citizens who help advance the world’s societies and cultures. The skills students develop from this minor complement a variety of majors, including business, French, history, philosophy, theatre, and women and gender studies. 

 Learn to write clearly, think critically and read carefully

 Practice articulating your original ideas, both in speech and in writing

 Complement your undergraduate studies with a minor

• Department of English
• College of Arts and Sciences

Related Programs

• Writing—Certificate
• Creative Writing—Minor

Learn from diverse , award-winning faculty , including Fulbright winners, a National Endowment for the Arts fellow, a National Endowment for the Humanities fellow and Professors of Distinction

Grow your expertise in small classes with faculty who will get to know you

We offer many labs and centers in specific areas of interest for you to engage with other students, including the Media Archaeology lab

Be successful.

A minor in English allows you to enter the workforce with skills that employers need, including critical thinking and communication.  

Broaden your employment possibilities with additional knowledge and skills gained from a minor

Editor , educator , technical writer , social media manager , content manager and author are common opportunities to apply this minor

Work in education , publishing , law , business and the nonprofit sector

Academic Plan & Requirements

To earn a minor in English, students must complete a minimum of 18 credit hours in English courses.

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Community & Involvement

We offer students many opportunities to network with peers and faculty, further their studies, and get the most out of their undergraduate experience.  

Some opportunities include:

• Undergraduate Student Advisory Council
• Walkabout , creative arts journal
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• Internship opportunities
• Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)

Learn more about:

• Involvement & Writing Award Opportunities
• The College of Arts and Sciences  
• Education Abroad
• The Honors Program

Be inspired.

The English department has an extensive list of alumni who have worked in a variety of fields across the globe.

Some alumni of the program include:  

Kathy Beeck

('86) Co-founder of the Boulder International Film Festival, now in its 14th year.

('00) A lawyer with the law firm of Lightfoot, Franklin & White LLC and a former associate justice of the Supreme Court of Palau.

Jack Williamson

(PhD'64) A successful science-fiction writer from 1928 to 2005. He was known as the "Dean of Science Fiction," and was named the second Grand Master of Science Fiction by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America in 1976, and inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame in 1996. He is credited with inventing the term “terraforming” in a 1942 short story.

Luis Alberto Urrea

(MFA'97) A Mexican American novelist and professor of creative writing at the University of Illinois Chicago. His memoir, Nobody's Son: Notes from an American Life , received the American Book Award in 1999, and his nonfiction book The Devil’s Highway: A True Story was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.

Sean Forman

('07) A multi-Platinum recording artist and co-founder and member of the electronic pop duo 3OH!3.

Serena Chopra

(MA'12) A poet and Fulbright fellow who teaches in the MFA program at Naropa University’s Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics.

Leather Storrs

('92) A Portland, Oregon-based celebrity chef and co-owner of Portland’s Noble Rot restaurant.

Kate Grenville

(MA'82) An Australian author who has received the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize and Orange Prize, and whose work has been shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize.

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