Creative Writing

College of Liberal & Creative Arts

Dean: Dr. Andrew Harris

Department of Creative Writing

Humanities Building, Room 573
Phone: (415) 338-1891
Email: cwriting@sfsu.edu
Website: http://creativewriting.sfsu.edu

Chair: Nona Caspers
Undergraduate and Graduate Advisors: Carter, Caspers, Chai, Chernoff, Conboy, De Robertis, Hoover, Joron, Mirosevich, Tigay

Program Scope

The Department of Creative Writing offers undergraduate and graduate programs. The three degree programs emphasize the primary importance of the study and practice of imaginative writing in the genres of creative nonfiction, fiction, literary translation, playwriting, and poetry. All three degree programs combine an intense workshop requirement and a variety of special topic creative process classes with requirements in the English Department. The core literature classes assure that students will continue to absorb and be trained in a study of the best literature of the past. In Creative Writing classes, students work with an active, publishing faculty. They learn by vigorous practice; by focused studies of craft; and by extensive reading, analysis, and discussion of their work, as well as that of published authors.

The undergraduate major combines the academic specifications of the traditional English major with the experiential needs of the writing student. Students who enter this program should do so only under the strongly held assumption that they have abilities as writers that may be fostered and trained by such a discipline as is described here. It is hoped that this combined program of writing and literature will lead students to a cohesive study and discipline that combines breadth with intensity.

Accordingly, some greater latitude of choice in literature courses is allowed in the creative writing major. Studies will lead them to a degree in English with a creative writing emphasis. Ample guidance of the creative writing advisors helps ensure that students will not be deprived of a sense of the history of literature. In this regard they will continue to be fully qualified as potential graduate students in English as well as prepared should they wish to continue as M.A. or M.F.A. candidates in a creative writing program.

The two graduate programs differ in scope. Both programs are distinguished by innovative classes. Both include seminars, opportunities for community projects, and a thesis. Students may apply for admission to either the Master of Arts in English with Concentration in Creative Writing (30 units) or the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (54 units). In no case will a student be admitted to both programs simultaneously.

The Master of Arts in English with Concentration in Creative Writing serves a double purpose: to extend and broaden the student's familiarity with literature and to provide the help of a faculty of professional writers and critics in developing the student's own potential as a professional writer. The Creative Writing Department has a strong core faculty and invites several visiting faculty each semester.

The Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing is regarded as the terminal degree in the field. The M.F.A. in Creative Writing offers extended experience in small seminars and individual instruction with faculty. It also develops the student's understanding of the history and theory of literature and incorporates correlative patterns of study in elective areas such as other cultures, other arts, technical studies, and/or the teaching of writing.

Career Outlook

The career goal is to train and encourage writers of creative nonfiction, fiction, literary translation, plays, and poetry. Many celebrated and distinguished writers are graduates of the department. In the job market, good writers are hard to find. The skills developed in creative writing translate well into corporate editing, publishing, teaching, and working for arts organizations.

Professor

MICHELLE CARTER (1988), Professor of Creative Writing; B.A. (1980), M.A. (1982), Stanford University.

NONA CASPERS (2002), Professor of Creative Writing; B.A. (1985), University of Minnesota; M.F.A. (1996), San Francisco State University.

MAXINE CHERNOFF (1994), Professor of Creative Writing; B.A. (1972), M.A. (1974), University of Illinois, Chicago.

PAUL HOOVER (1999), Professor of Creative Writing; B.A. (1968), Manchester College; M.A. (1973), University of Illinois.

Associate Professor

MAY-LEE CHAI (2018), Associate Professor of Creative Writing; B.A. (1989), Grinnell College; M.A. (1992), Yale University; M.A. (1994), University of Colorado Boulder; M.F.A. (2013), San Francisco State University.

CAROLINA DE ROBERTIS (2016), Associate Professor of Creative Writing; B.A. (1996), University of California, Los Angeles; M.F.A. (2007), Mills College.

ANDREW JORON (2014), Associate Professor of Creative Writing; B.A. (1979), University of California at Berkeley.

CHANAN TIGAY (2012), Associate Professor of Creative Writing; B.A. (1998), University of Pennsylvania; M.F.A. (2004), Columbia University.

Assistant Professor

JOSEPH CASSARA (2020), Assistant Professor of Creative Writing; B.A. (2012), Columbia University; M.F.A. (2016), Iowa Writers’ Workshop.

TONYA FOSTER (2021), Assistant Professor of Creative Writing; B.A. (1988), Tulane University; M.F.A. (1999), University of Houston; M.Phil. (2014), Ph.D. (2018), City University of New York.

MICHAEL DAVID LUKAS (2018), Assistant Professor of Creative Writing; A.B. (2003), Brown University; M.F.A. (2006), University of Maryland.

Lecturer

DODIE BELLAMY (2000), Lecturer in Creative Writing; B.A. (1973), M.S. (1977), Indiana University, Bloomington.

MATTHEW CLARK DAVISON (2003), Lecturer in Creative Writing; B.A. (1996), M.F.A. (2000), San Francisco State University.

DONNA DE LA PERRIERE (2004), Lecturer in Creative Writing; B.A. (1982), Mercer University; M.A. (1988), University of Georgia; M.F.A. (1989), Brown University.

STEVE DICKISON (1999), Lecturer in Creative Writing; B.A. (1980), University of Minnesota, Duluth.

ANNE GALJOUR (2001), Lecturer in Creative Writing; B.A. (1980), Nicholl's State University.

JUNSE KIM (2009), Lecturer in Creative Writing; B.S. (1990), University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; M.F.A. (2000), Goddard College.

TRUONG TRAN (2004), Lecturer in Creative Writing; B.A. (1992), University of California, Santa Cruz; M.F.A. (1995), San Francisco State University.

Major

Masters

Explanation of Course Descriptions, Symbols, and Terms

C W 101 Introduction to Creative Writing (Units: 3)

The creative writing process. Exercises in writing poetry, fiction, and dramatic scripts. Selected readings of exemplary stories, poems, and plays. Open to all students.

Course Attributes:

E1 LLD Pre-Fall 2019
C1: Arts

C W 301 Fundamentals of Creative Writing (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Creative Writing majors; ENG 114 or equivalent; non-majors admitted with permission of the instructor.

Practice in writing poetry, fiction and plays. Required for majors.

C W 302 Fundamentals of Creative Reading (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Creative Writing majors; GE Area A2; non-majors admitted with permission of the instructor.

Students learn to read like writers through lecture-discussion and reading assignments. Submerges the student in literature and asserts the importance of reading.

C W 465 Modern Greek Poetry in Comparative Perspective (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to English: Concentration in English Education and Creative Writing majors.

Survey of Greece's prominent modern poets in comparison with major Anglo-American and European poets. Poets to be studied can include Cavafy, Seferis, Elytis, Mastoraki, Yeats, Eliot, Pound, and Rich.
(This course is offered as MGS 465, CWL 465, and C W 465. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

C W 467 On the Cultural Frontlines: Contemporary Trends in Israeli Art (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: GE Area A2.

An examination of contemporary Israeli culture through literature, cinema, and theater. Inner conflicts and shared visions of the Israeli psyche are revealed through the arts and in conversation with Israeli artists.
(This course is offered as JS 467, BECA 467, C W 467, and TH A 467. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

C W 497 Modern Greek Literature (Units: 3)

Introduction to Greece's major modernist and postmodernist writers. Exploration of experimental writing techniques using 20th Century literature.
(This course is offered as MGS 497 and C W 497. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

C W 501 Graphic Memoir and Biography (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: ENG 216 or ENG 218 or equivalent.

Examination of the literary genre of graphic memoir and graphic biography within the medium of comics. (Plus-minus ABC/NC, CR/NC allowed)
(This course is offered as ENG 300 and C W 501. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

C W 506 The Business of Creative Writing (Units: 3)

Prerequisite for C W 806: Restricted to graduate Creative Writing students or permission of the instructor.
Prerequisites for C W 506: Restricted to Creative Writing majors; upper-division standing; C W 101 or C W 301 with a grade of C or better; GPA of 3.0 or higher; or permission of the instructor. Non-Creative Writing majors permitted with the permission of the instructor.

Covers agents, corporate and small publishing houses, E-publishing, markets, publicity, etc. Students write letters to agents and editors, press releases for book tours, and several short papers.
(C W 806/C W 506 is a paired course offering. Students who complete the course at one level may not repeat the course at the other level.)

C W 507 Writing on the Body (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Upper-division standing; C W 101 or C W 301.

Concerns themes of human sexuality and gender in their psychological, social, political, moral, and aesthetic dimensions, combined with personal experience and personal expression. Sexual values are examined through artistic expression and analysis of expressive works.

C W 508 Introduction to Environmental Literature (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* all with grades of C- or better or permission of the instructor.

Exploration of the history of contemporary environmental literature; examination of questions of environmental stability and change, environmental justice, human connections to the non-human world, and biological studies to discover connections between nature and writing.

Course Attributes:

UD-C: Arts and/or Humanities
Environmental Sustainability

C W 510 The Creative Process (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Creative Writing majors; C W 101 or C W 301 with a grade of C or better; non-majors admitted with permission of the instructor.

Examination of the creative process, emphasizing techniques, style, and structure. Topics to be specified in the Class Schedule. May be repeated when topics vary.

C W 511GW Craft of Poetry - GWAR (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Creative Writing majors; GE Area A2; C W 301 or equivalent.

Focus on basic craft elements of poetry: diction, imagery, rhythm, voice, and form. Close readings of published poetry. Creative and critical writing. (ABC/NC only)

Course Attributes:

Graduation Writing Assessment

C W 512GW Craft of Fiction - GWAR (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Creative Writing majors; GE Area A2; C W 301 or equivalent.

Focus on basic craft elements of fiction: plot, dialogue, character, point of view, and place. Discussion of student and professional writing. (ABC/NC only)

Course Attributes:

Graduation Writing Assessment

C W 513GW Craft of Playwriting - GWAR (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Creative Writing majors; GE Area A2; C W 301 or equivalent.

Focus on basic craft elements of playwriting including scene, story, dialogue, character, and conflict. Discussion of student and professional writing. (ABC/NC grading only)

Course Attributes:

Graduation Writing Assessment

C W 514 Contemporary World Poetry (Units: 3)

Prerequisite for C W 814: Graduate Creative Writing students or permission of the instructor.
Prerequisites for C W 514: Upper-division Creative Writing majors; C W 301 or C W 101 with a grade of C or better; GPA of 3.0 or higher; permission of the instructor. Non-Creative Writing majors permitted with the permission of the instructor.

Study of techniques and craft in a wide selection of contemporary poetry from various cultures and nations.
(C W 814/C W 514 is a paired course offering. Students who complete the course at one level may not repeat the course at the other level.)

C W 520 Writers on Writing (Units: 3)

Prerequisite for C W 820: Graduate standing or permission of the instructor.
Prerequisite for C W 520: Upper-division standing; GPA of 3.0 or higher; or permission of the instructor.

Faculty and visiting writers representing a range of styles and subjects read from their works and discuss their creative process with students.
(C W 820/C W 520 is a paired course offering. Students who complete the course at one level may not repeat the course at the other level.)

C W 550 Poetry Center Workshop (Units: 3)

Prerequisite for C W 850: Graduate standing or permission of the instructor.
Prerequisite for C W 550: Upper-division standing; GE Area A2; GPA of 3.0 or higher; or permission of the instructor.

A poetry writing and study course aligned with The Poetry Center Reading Series. Features guest performances throughout the semester by outstanding local, national, and international poets, writers, musicians, and related artists.
(C W 850/C W 550 is a paired course offering. Students who complete the course at one level may not repeat the course at the other level.)

C W 600 Special Topics in Writing (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Creative Writing majors; C W 301 or C W 101 with a grade of C or better; non-majors admitted with permission of the instructor.

Intensive study of a particular area in poetry, fiction, or playwriting. Writing projects in an area of study. Topics to be specified in Class Schedule. May be repeated when topics vary. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

C W 601 Work in Progress (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to senior Creative Writing majors.

Capstone course for seniors in which undergraduate final project is completed.

C W 602 Playwriting (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Creative Writing majors; C W 301 and C W 511GW or C W 512GW or C W 513GW; or permission of the instructor.

Writing and analysis of plays. Discussion of problems such as craft, aspects of voice, form, characterization, and dialogue. May be repeated for a total of 6 units. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

C W 603 Short Story Writing (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Creative Writing and English Education majors; C W 301; C W 511GW or C W 512GW or C W 513GW; non-majors admitted with permission of the instructor.

Writing and analysis of short fiction in a workshop setting. Lectures on the craft, reading for development, and story development. May be repeated for a total of 6 units.

C W 604 Poetry Writing (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Creative Writing majors; C W 301 and C W 511GW or C W 512GW or C W 513GW.

Writing and analysis of poetry in a workshop setting. Emphasis on poetic form, style, voice, the line, as well as rhyme, rhythm, meter, imagery and metaphor. May be repeated for a total of 6 units.

C W 605 Writing and Performing Monologues (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Creative Writing, English Education, and Theatre Arts majors; TH A 130. For C W majors: C W 301; C W 511GW or C W 512GW or C W 513GW.

Workshop in the creation of contemporary performance monologues. Development of original pieces through writing, performance, and critique; study of artists in the field.
(This course is offered as TH A 605 and C W 605. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

C W 606 Art of Revision: from Draft to Manuscript (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: C W 101 or C W 301; C W 302; C W 512GW or C W 603.

Examine and experiment with the artistic processes of published writers (and a variety of other artists) who've taken a project from idea to completion. Study interviews, process notes, and "middle drafts" of these artists. Include analyses of the draft process, genre across artistic and literary forms, and creation and revision of student work.

C W 609 Directed Writing for B.A. Students (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Creative Writing majors and permission of the instructor.

Apply to the instructor during the semester prior to desired enrollment. Preference given to majors. Individual conferences to direct the student's project in one of the creative writing forms. May be repeated for a total of 9 units.

C W 640 Transfer Literary Magazine (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to English (Creative Writing) majors; C W 301 or permission of the instructor.

Selection of original work for an undergraduate literary magazine. Book reviews, interviews, design, production, and distribution. May be used to fulfill 3 units of the creative process requirement.

C W 659 Practicum in Teaching (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Upper-division standing; C W 101 or C W 301; C W 302*; C W 511GW* or C W 512GW* or C W 513GW*. Required for undergraduates serving as Creative Writing Graduate Instructional Aides.

Pedagogical grounding for pragmatic classroom teaching for undergraduates under the supervision of experienced faculty and in collaboration with other students.

C W 675 Community Projects in Literature (Units: 3)

Prerequisite for C W 875: Restricted to graduate Creative Writing students or permission of the instructor.
Prerequisites for C W 675: Restricted to Creative Writing majors; upper-division standing; C W 301 or C W 101 with a grade of C or better; GPA of 3.0 or higher; or permission of the instructor.

Students exercise their writing skills through internships with community literary organizations. May be repeated for a total of 6 units at one level. (Plus-minus letter grade only) [CSL may be available]
(C W 875/C W 675 is a paired course offering. Students who complete the course at one level may not repeat the course at the other level.)

C W 685 Projects in the Teaching of Creative Writing (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Advanced undergraduate standing in Creative Writing and approval of the chair; a grade of C or better in course in which student will be aide.

Students are placed with a creative writing faculty member in a supervised practicum/internship experience where they explore the theoretical and practical aspects of teaching creative writing. (Students may earn a maximum of 4 units toward the baccalaureate degree for any course(s) numbered 685 regardless of discipline.) (Plus-minus letter grade only)

C W 699 Independent Study (Units: 1-3)

Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.

Under exceptional circumstances upper division students may enroll for special work under the supervision of a member of the Creative Writing faculty. May be repeated for a total of 9 units.

C W 785 Graduate Projects in the Teaching of Creative Writing (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Graduate standing in Creative Writing; a grade of B or better in the course or its equivalent in which the student will be an aide; permission of the instructor.

Supervised practicum/internship experience with a creative writing faculty member; exploration of theoretical and practical aspects of teaching creative writing; practice in leading group discussions and tutoring. MFA students may apply a total of 9 units toward the degree; MA students may apply no more than 3 units toward the degree.

C W 803 Advanced Short Story Writing (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate students in Creative Writing or permission of the instructor.

Writing short stories, emphasizing the development of the student's creative and critical abilities. May be repeated for a total of 9 units.

C W 804 Advanced Poetry Writing (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate Creative Writing students or permission of the instructor.

Writing poetry with emphasis on analysis of student work and growth of critical abilities. May be repeated for a total of 9 units.

C W 806 The Business of Creative Writing (Units: 3)

C W 807 Developing the Novel (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate Creative Writing students or permission of the instructor.

Writing workshop for students in the early phases of writing a novel.

C W 808 Novel Writing (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate students in Creative Writing; C W 807; or permission of the instructor.

Writing and analysis of longer forms of fiction. Personal consultations. May be repeated for a total of 9 units.

C W 809 Directed Writing for Graduate Students (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate Creative Writing students or permission of the instructor. Apply to instructor during the semester prior to desired enrollment.

Through individual conferences, students are directed in a project in one of the forms of creative writing. May be repeated for a total of 9 units. Students may register for different genres concurrently.

C W 810 Seminar in the Creative Process (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate Creative Writing students or permission of the instructor.

Examination of the creative process with an emphasis on techniques, style, and structure. Topics to be specified in the Class Schedule. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.

C W 814 Contemporary World Poetry (Units: 3)

C W 820 Writers on Writing (Units: 3)

Prerequisite for C W 820: Graduate standing or permission of the instructor.
Prerequisite for C W 520: Upper-division standing; GPA of 3.0 or higher; or permission of the instructor.

C W 825 Playwright's Theatre Workshop (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate Creative Writing students or permission of the instructor.

Projects designed to give playwrights opportunities to refine their craft through workshops, rehearsals, readings, and dramaturgical assignments. May be repeated for a total of 9 units.

C W 840 Fourteen Hills Literary Magazine (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate students in Creative Writing or permission of the instructor.

Editing and publishing Fourteen Hills, the graduate literary magazine of the Creative Writing Department. Selection of material, design, production, and distribution. May be repeated for a total of 9 units.

C W 850 Poetry Center Workshop (Units: 3)

Prerequisite for C W 850: Graduate standing or permission of the instructor.
Prerequisite for C W 550: Upper-division standing; GE Area A2; GPA of 3.0 or higher; or permission of the instructor.

C W 852 Workshop in Creative Nonfiction (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate Creative Writing students or permission of the instructor.

Creation and revision of original creative nonfiction to a finished, publishable state. May be repeated for a maximum of 18 units.

C W 853 M.F.A. Workshop in Fiction (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to M.F.A. Creative Writing students or permission of the instructor.

Students are expected to concentrate on the revision of fiction, on bringing work to a finished, publishable state. Emphasizes the short story. May be repeated for a total of 18 units.

C W 854 Workshop in Poetry (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate Creative Writing students or permission of the instructor.

Students are expected to concentrate on the revision of poetry, on bringing work to a finished, publishable state. May be repeated for a total of 18 units.

C W 855 Workshop in Playwriting (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate Creative Writing students or permission of the instructor.

Students are expected to concentrate on the revision of a play, on bringing work to a finished state, ready for production. May be repeated for a total of 18 units.

C W 856 M.F.A. Workshop in Short Plays (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to M.F.A. in Creative Writing students or permission of the instructor.

Students write a series of five-minute plays, ten-minute plays, and a one-act play that may be presented in conjunction with TH A 661. May be repeated for a total of 9 units.

C W 859 Practicum in Teaching (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate Creative Writing students or permission of the instructor.

Pedagogical grounding for pragmatic classroom teaching work and structure in which to work with undergraduates, under the supervision of experienced faculty and in collaboration with other graduate students.

C W 860 Teaching Creative Writing (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate Creative Writing students or permission of the instructor.

Theoretical and practical aspects of teaching creative writing. (Plus-minus letter grade only.)

C W 866 Craft of Translation (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate Creative Writing students or permission of the instructor.

Literary translation: the art and craft of translation. Students familiarize themselves with the best models and develop skills in their own translation.

C W 867 Theory of Translation (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to graduate Creative Writing students with a working knowledge of a language other than English.

Examination of the art of translation from a wide range of theoretical perspectives. Focus on linguistic, literary, political, and philosophical aspects of the transfer of meaning between languages in an era of globalization. Evaluation of contending theories and application to the practice of translation. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

C W 875 Community Projects in Literature (Units: 3)

C W 880 M.F.A. Craft and Process Tutorial in Fiction (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to graduate M.F.A. in Creative Writing students or permission of the instructor.

Examination of the creative process, emphasizing techniques, style, and structure. Topics to be specified in the Class Schedule. May be repeated for a total of 18 units when topics vary.

C W 881 M.F.A. Craft and Process Tutorial in Poetry (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to MFA in Creative Writing students or permission of the instructor.

Examination of creative process emphasizing techniques, style, and structure. Topic to be specified in Class Schedule. May be repeated for a total of 18 units when topics vary.

C W 882 M.F.A. Craft and Process Tutorial in Playwriting (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to M.F.A. in Creative Writing students or permission of the instructor.

Examination of creative process emphasizing techniques, style, and structure. Topics to be specified in Class Schedule. May be repeated for a total of 18 units when topics vary.

C W 893MA Written M.A. Creative Project (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor and major adviser; approval of Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) for the Master of Arts in English: Creative Writing and Culminating Experience (CE) forms by Graduate Studies. ATC and Proposal for Culminating Experience Requirement forms must be approved by the Graduate Division before registration.

(CR/NC grading only)

C W 893MFA Written M.F.A. Creative Work (Units: 6)

Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor and major adviser; approval of Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) for the Master of Fine Arts and Culminating Experience (CE) forms by Graduate Studies. ATC and Proposal for Culminating Experience Requirement forms must be approved by the Graduate Division before registration.

(CR/NC grading only)

C W 899 Independent Study (Units: 1-3)

Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.

A special study is planned, developed, and completed under the direction of a faculty member. Open only to graduate students of demonstrated ability to do independent work. Enrollment by petition (form available in the department office).