English/Creative Writing

A major in creative writing involves the study of writing poetry, fiction, and the familiar essay and incorporates a strong preparation in English literature. All instructors in the creative writing program are published writers who have solid training in literature and criticism. Upper-level classes are conducted as small workshops to provide a very personal kind of instruction. In addition, the program sponsors exhibitions for writers, editors, and publishers, and brings noted writers and critics to Miami each year to speak and give workshops.

Your Program of Study

In your first year, you will begin with an introductory course that includes instruction in writing both fiction and poetry. You will also take a series of survey courses introducing you to fiction and poetry. And during this time you will concentrate on the Miami Plan, a well-rounded course of study that provides you with an excellent liberal arts education. Through the Miami Plan, you will get a solid base in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, fine arts, and formal reasoning.

During your sophomore and junior year, you will concentrate on one type of writing or continue with a combination of courses in fiction, poetry, and essay writing. You will choose courses concentrating on the works of a particular author (either Chaucer, Shakespeare, or Milton) and courses devoted to the literature and culture of particular eras. And you will continue with the Miami Plan.

In your senior year, you will take advanced writing workshops as well as a sequence in theory and practice. You will also take a Capstone course, which examines theoretical issues in the writing of fiction and poetry. The program is flexible enough to allow you to combine the creative writing major with elective courses in a particular field of interest. Possibilities include marketing, technical writing, and graphic arts.

Miami's literary publications, Inklings and Oxford Magazine, provide forums for creative work and offer practical experience in editing, layout, and design.

Careers

Common areas of employment for creative writing majors are editing and publishing, advertising, freelance writing, and teaching. Recent graduates report job titles such as assistant editor and assistant creative director. Many students, especially those interested in teaching, go on to do graduate work in creative writing.

For More Information

For general information about Miami University, please contact:

Office of Admission
301 S. Campus Ave.
Miami University
Oxford, Ohio 45056-3434
513-529-2531 (v/t)
www.muohio.edu/requestinfo

For specific information on the English/Creative Writing major, please contact:

Department of English
356 Bachelor Hall
Miami University
Oxford, Ohio 45056
513-529-5221
www.muohio.edu/english