Creative Writing (C W)

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:

  1. Nature Poetry
  2. Reimagining Narratives
  3. Lit of Contempt Hatred Obsessn Narrative Catalysts
  4. California Fiction: Landscape as Literature
  5. Geography in Narrative
  6. The Researched Creative Essay
  7. Speculative Fiction
  8. The Poetics of Place
  9. Style in Fiction
  10. Rhythms of Poetry
  11. Introduction to Narrative
  12. Personal Narrative
  13. Investigating Voice
  14. Characterization
  15. Beat Poets in the American Poetry Archive
  16. The Short-Short Story
  17. American Poetics

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:

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

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)

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 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:

  1. Plays: Reading/Viewing
  2. Characterization
  3. Craft of Poetry
  4. Prose Writers in the Archives
  5. Contemporary Non-fiction
  6. Visions of Childhood
  7. Experimental Fiction
  8. The Prose Poem
  9. Autobiography
  10. Centering on Language
  11. Speculative Fiction
  12. Mad Girls Bad Girls:Transgressive Writing by Women
  13. Writing as Translation
  14. Contemporary World Fiction
  15. Border Crossing Narratives
  16. History, Trauma, and the Unreal
  17. Working Cross-Genre
  18. Art of Narrative
  19. Law in Literature
  20. Poetry of Trauma
  21. The Poetics of Extremity
  22. The Mask: Persona Poem
  23. Documentary Poetics
  24. New York School Poetry
  25. Building Characters
  26. Uses of Time in Narrative
  27. Rhythms of Poetry
  28. What the Body Knows
  29. The Novella
  30. Oral Poetics
  31. Nonfiction: Moral Issues
  32. Style in Fiction

C W 814 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 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.

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 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.

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 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)

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 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:

  1. Risk & Reward:Pushing Ourselves in Fiction Writing
  2. Earning Dramatic Emtn: Fulfilling Intent Narr Tech
  3. Creative Nonfiction
  4. The Real Thing
  5. Writing into Dailyness
  6. The Displaced Person
  7. The Poetics of Narrative
  8. Writing in its Public Context
  9. Discovery and Development
  10. Vampires, Androids, and Detectives
  11. The Art of Short Fiction
  12. The Art of Subtext in Fiction
  13. Voices within Voices: Interiority and Polyphony
  14. Individual Vision: Fiction

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:

  1. The Lyric Documentary
  2. Poems From Nature
  3. Poetics of Listening
  4. Poetry Machines
  5. Poets and Their Thinkers
  6. Translate and Transpose
  7. Kinship and Community
  8. Literary Mapping: Mixed-Genre Place-Based Literatu
  9. Individual Vision: Poetry
  10. Open Work: The Long Poem
  11. Imagining the Book
  12. Contemporary US Poets & History
  13. Poetics of Indeterminacy

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:

  1. Adapting for the Stage
  2. Plays and Politics
  3. Playwrights' Virtual Theater Workshop
  4. The Comedic Play
  5. Architectonics of Plays
  6. Contemporary American Playwrights

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.