Honors in Creative Writing and Senior Independent Study
Honors in Creative Writing in the English major allows a student concentrating in Creative Writing to work on a creative thesis in their chosen genre during the senior year, under the guidance of an advisor in creative writing. The creative thesis may take the form of a short story collection, novella or novel, poetry collection, literary nonfiction collection, mixed media, or a hybrid project as approved by the Director of Creative Writing.
Students who have completed at least four courses in the creative writing concentration and six major courses by the end of their junior year and have a grade point average in the major of 3.5 or higher (and a college GPA of 3.0 or higher) are eligible to apply for Honors in Creative Writing.
The advanced workshop (CRWT 60, 61, or 62) is a requirement for the completion of the Concentration in Creative Writing and is a prerequisite for Honors in Creative Writing.
Creative Writing faculty evaluates honors thesis proposals based on a) the creative potential and breadth of the project; b) a high level of ability in craft, exhibited in the student's writing submission that speaks directly to the proposed project; c) the project's practical feasibility: can the project be completed in a fully realized and successful way.
Applicants will be notified of their status by the end of fall classes. Students who are approved for Honors work will be paired with an advisor from Creative Writing and, over the course of two terms, will work toward the successful completion of a manuscript-length body of work. During the first term of Honors work, the student will enroll in CRWT 98. This course is the culminating experience in the major. During the second term of Honors work, the student enrolls in CRWT 99. This course may count as a twelfth course in the major.
Students should submit their completed application along with a writing sample (15-20 pages of fiction/creative nonfiction; 6-8 poems) to the Department Administrator and Creative Writing Director. Note: the writing sample should speak to the writing strengths and potential of the proposed thesis. As only the strongest proposals are approved each year, this should be your most polished work. Submissions that do not speak to the proposed thesis project will not be considered.
2023-24 Creative Writing Honors applications are due by 4 PM on Monday, October 23, 2023
2023-24 Creative Writing Director: Professor Thomas O'Malley