Creative Writing

College of Liberal & Creative Arts

Dean: Dr. Ifeoma Kiddoe Nwankwo

Department of Creative Writing

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

Chair: Andrew Joron
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. 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 study of literature from a variety of departments, including English, Comparative World Literature, Ethnic Studies, and Women and Gender Studies, 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. Ample guidance of the creative writing advisors helps ensure that students will not be deprived of a sense of the history of literature.

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 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 Creative Writing serves a double purpose: to provide the help of a faculty of professional writers and critics in developing the student's own potential as a professional writer and as a teacher of creative writing/composition.

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.

The Creative Writing Department has a strong core faculty and invites visiting renowned authors to campus every semester through Writers on Writing and the Marcus Fund for Excellence in Creative Writing guest series, curated by the Marcus Endowed faculty.

Career Outlook

The career goal is to inspire, 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 with the ability to use language creatively, craft a story, and think critically and creatively are hard to find. The skills developed in creative writing translate well into non-profit/corporate writing and editing; publishing; teaching; and working for arts organizations. Start-up companies in the Bay Area appreciate applicants and employees who have studied poetry, fiction, playwriting and creative nonfiction as well as those who have skills and experience in translation.

Professor

Michelle Carter (1988), Professor in Creative Writing. M.A. Stanford University.

Nona Caspers (2002), Professor in Creative Writing. M.F.A. San Francisco State University.

Paul Hoover (1999), Professor in Creative Writing. M.A. University of Illinois.

Associate Professor

May-Lee Chai (2018), Associate Professor in Creative Writing. M.F.A. San Francisco State University.

Carolina De Robertis (2016), Associate Professor in Creative Writing. M.F.A. Mills College.

Andrew Joron (2014), Associate Professor in Creative Writing. B.A. University of California at Berkeley.

Chanan Tigay (2012), Associate Professor in Creative Writing. M.F.A. Columbia University.

Assistant Professor

Joseph Cassara (2020), Assistant Professor in Creative Writing. M.F.A. Iowa Writers’ Workshop.

Tonya M. Foster (2021), Assistant Professor in Creative Writing. Ph.D. Graduate Center, City University of New York.

Michael David Lukas (2018), Assistant Professor in Creative Writing. M.F.A. University of Maryland.

Lecturer

Dodie Bellamy (2000), Lecturer in Creative Writing. M.S. Indiana University, Bloomington.

Matthew Clark Davison (2003), Lecturer in Creative Writing. M.F.A. San Francisco State University.

Donna De La Perriere (2004), Lecturer in Creative Writing. M.F.A. Brown University.

Junse Kim (2009), Lecturer in Creative Writing. M.F.A. Goddard College.

Truong Tran (2004), Lecturer in Creative Writing. M.F.A. San Francisco State University.

Major

Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing

Minor

Minor in Creative Writing

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:

3A: Arts
C1: Arts

C W 300 Welcome to Creative Writing: Developing a Writing Practice in Community and Navigating the Degree (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to Creative Writing majors.

Develop a robust writing practice in community with fellow majors. Explore the art of language and voice within varying cultural contexts and perspectives, including geographical and historical contexts. Introduction to department expectations in the classroom and to faculty members' varying writing practices and creative processes. Training in practical use of advising materials, website information, and resources and opportunities both within the University and in the Bay Area literary community.

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 1A/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 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 and minors; 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.

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 510 The Creative Process (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Creative Writing majors and minors; C W 101 or C W 301 with a grade of C or better; 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 when topics vary.

Topics:

The Short-Short Story
American Poetics
Nature Poetry
Beat Poets in the American Poetry Archive
Characterization
Investigating Voice
Personal Narrative
Introduction to Narrative
Rhythms of Poetry
Style in Fiction
The Poetics of Place
Speculative Fiction
The Researched Creative Essay
Geography in Narrative
Reimagining Narratives
Lit of Contempt Hatred Obsessn Narrative Catalysts
California Fiction: Landscape as Literature

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

Prerequisites: Restricted to Creative Writing majors; GE Area 1A/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 and minors; GE Area 1A/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 1A/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)

Topics:

The Uses of Personal Experience
Journal Writing as a Source for Creative Writing
Women's Workshop

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 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 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.

Topics:

Nonfiction: Moral Issues
Oral Poetics
The Novella
What the Body Knows
Rhythms of Poetry
Uses of Time in Narrative
Building Characters
New York School Poetry
Documentary Poetics
The Mask: Persona Poem
The Poetics of Extremity
Poetry of Trauma
Law in Literature
Art of Narrative
Characterization
Plays: Reading/Viewing
Style in Fiction
Craft of Poetry
Prose Writers in the Archives
Contemporary Non-fiction
Visions of Childhood
Experimental Fiction
The Prose Poem
Autobiography
Centering on Language
Speculative Fiction
Mad Girls Bad Girls:Transgressive Writing by Women
Writing as Translation
Contemporary World Fiction
Border Crossing Narratives
History, Trauma, and the Unreal
Working Cross-Genre

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 859 Practicum in Teaching (Units: 3)

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

Put theory into practice by observing and participating in undergraduate courses under the supervision of Creative Writing instructors. Engage in a process of discovery of the values, beliefs, ideals, and aesthetics that can inform future Creative Writing pedagogies and the development of Creative Writing syllabi. May be repeated for a total of 6 units.

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.

Topics:

The Poetics of Narrative
The Art of Subtext in Fiction
The Art of Short Fiction
Discovery and Development
Writing in its Public Context
Individual Vision: Fiction
The Displaced Person
Writing into Dailyness
The Real Thing
Creative Nonfiction
Earning Dramatic Emtn: Fulfilling Intent Narr Tech
Risk & Reward:Pushing Ourselves in Fiction Writing
Voices within Voices: Interiority and Polyphony
Vampires, Androids, and Detectives

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.

Topics:

Contemporary US Poets & History
Imagining the Book
Open Work: The Long Poem
Poetics of Indeterminacy
Individual Vision: Poetry
Literary Mapping: Mixed-Genre Place-Based Literatu
Kinship and Community
Translate and Transpose
Poets and Their Thinkers
Poetry Machines
Poetics of Listening
Poems From Nature
The Lyric Documentary

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.

Topics:

Architectonics of Plays
Contemporary American Playwrights
Adapting for the Stage
Plays and Politics
Playwrights' Virtual Theater Workshop
The Comedic Play

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). May be repeated for a total of 9 units.