The Daily Bulletin Archive

A new bachelor of arts degree has been approved by the state and will be offered by the English Department in fall 2008. The B.A. in writing will provide students who are keenly interested in the craft of writing with the opportunity to develop their talent. The degree consists of a selection of writing courses balanced with complementary courses in literature, communication, and television arts. Writing majors will be able to choose from a range of offerings according to their interests and talents.

Unlike most writing programs, this new major is not focused exclusively on creative writing. Students will learn to write fiction, poetry, and screenplays; however, other concentrations will include professional writing, journalism, and literary nonfiction genres such as the personal essay, memoir, and nature writing. One of the unique and most exciting aspects of the writing major, according to Ralph Wahlstrom, associate professor and chair of the English Department, is its collaboration with the Communication and Theater departments and the new television arts major. Wahlstrom calls it “the beginning of a truly interdisciplinary program.” And he expects it to be popular.

“Writing is the most often requested major when students visit our department for open house,” he said. “No other regional college offers a similar program.”

Like students studying other arts, writing majors will take part in studio and workshop classes where they will collaborate with their instructors and peers to improve their skills. Students will also learn to recognize excellent writing, to understand theories of writing, and to shape writing for different purposes and audiences. They also will use contemporary writing technology extensively, including computer- and Web-based writings tools.