Master of Fine Arts in Writing Degrees at Albertus Magnus College
Curriculum
EN 500: Writing Portfolio (each semester of enrollment)
This course serves as the central mentoring experience for M.F.A. students, in which the student develops a body of work from classes and in preparation for the Master Project. An individual advisor guides the writer in the process of honing the craft and developing the writing portfolio. Through guided revision, students will emerge from the program with a portfolio of work reflecting their strengths as writers. Students will also benefit from responses from other students in the program through periodic workshop meetings that will build a community of writers. 1 credit each semester, 4 total credits required
EN 541: The Creative Process
An examination of the creative process including the stages, elements, and the products. Students learn ways to explore levels of creative unconsciousness and how and why the creative process works. Topics include: inspiration, authenticity, vision, voice, “performicity.” How do creative individuals achieve their ends? Students will develop a critical understanding of their own deepest level of imaginative experience. Also in this course, they will begin to consider an original and artistic approach that will culminate in a directed writing (Master) project in EN 692. 4 credits
EN 551: The Literary Marketplace
This is a course that centers on the methodology of publicity and promotion and commonly used tools and techniques that can be employed by writers to attract readers. Students will engage in an analysis of the contemporary writer’s market, from major publishers, to independent presses, to the Internet. By researching trends and developing an understanding of how their writing fits into market categories and compares with similar works, students will develop an understanding of how to frame writing projects for agents and publishers. A strong focus is placed on website and social media techniques for self-promotion. This course may include visits from guest publishers and authors. 4 credits
Genre Studies (12 Credits)
EN 543, 643: Seminar in Poetry I and II
Advanced seminar course(s) aimed at intensive study in exploring and developing students’ interests in poetic form and technique. Through a workshop approach that emphasizes process, students will share impressions and analyses as they study approaches and read and write different poetic forms. These courses seek to foster an appreciation for poetry as a genre and provide an occasion for crafting original work.4 credits
EN 544, 644: Seminar in Fiction I and II
Advanced seminar course(s) aimed at intensive study in exploring and developing students’ interests in the form and techniques of creative fiction. Through a workshop approach that emphasizes process, students will share impressions and analyses as they study approaches and read and write different fictional forms. These courses seek to foster an appreciation for fiction as a genre and provide an occasion for crafting original work.4 credits
EN 545, 645: Seminar in Non-fiction I and II
Advanced seminar course(s) aimed at intensive study in exploring and developing students’ interests in the form and techniques of non-fiction. Through a workshop approach that emphasizes process, students will share impressions and analyses as they study approaches and read and write different literary forms. These courses seek to foster an appreciation for non-fiction as a genre and provide an occasion for crafting original work.4 credits
Readings (4 Credits)
EN 521: Readings in Fiction
In this course, students will take measure of the contemporary literary scene by extensive and intensive reading of recently published short stories, novellas, and novels. In addition to knowing their literary history, MFA students must be prepared to enter in the conversation currently happening in their chosen field. This course will foreground the debates raging in academia and on the bookshelf, for example, the controversy over “cultural appropriation” sparked by Lionel Shriver’s 2016 speech and the #ownvoices movement. We will examine the difference between innovation and trendiness. Students will emerge with the context they need to locate their voices in the writing worlds they wish to inhabit (or subvert). 4 credits
EN 522: Readings in Poetry
In this course, students will take measure of the contemporary poetry scene by extensive and intensive reading of recently published poetry, including major prize-winning collections (Pulitzer, National Book Award, etc.) and anthologies like the Best American Poetry series. In addition to knowing their literary history, MFA students must be prepared to enter into the conversation currently happening in their chosen field. This course will foreground the ongoing debates in the poetry world -- for example, the question of accessibility and whether rhymed and metered verse is still relevant. We will examine the difference between innovation and trendiness. Students will emerge with the context they need to locate their voices in the writing worlds they wish to inhabit (or subvert). 4 credits
EN 523: Readings in Nonfiction
This course will focus on both contemporary and less recent nonfiction writing with an emphasis on extensive and intensive reading. John D'Agata's unique anthology The Next American Essay, with its use of one seminal essay to reflect each year from 1975-2003, will provide a lens into the past half-century, while the The Best American Essays will consider more recent and noteworthy works. Examining how creative style and content are shaped in multiple ways by literary elements, students will emerge with the context they need to locate and refine their narrative voice in the writing world they wish to inhabit (or subvert). 4 credits
Master Project (8 Credits)
EN 692 Master Project
The Master Project is the culminating product of the M.F.A. in Writing. Students will begin in the fall of the first year, and continue throughout the program, to create, revisit, develop, and refine a body of substantial work in their chosen genre. Drawing on extensive background reading of relevant literary works, each student will prepare a manuscript that meets program standards for professional work in one of the following forms: a book-length manuscript of collected poems; a book-length collection of short stories; a completed novel; a book-length manuscript of non-fiction (autobiography, memoir, a sequence of personal essays). Master Projects will be housed in the Albertus Magnus College Library upon completion and final approval. 8 credits