First, there are the writing courses, consisting of workshops and directed writing tutorials. The creative process and craft classes are the second type of class. In these courses, writing is studied from the standpoint of craft, style, structure, and technique. Third, the student is asked to take literature courses over a geo-graphical and chronological range. The ultimate goal is the finest instruction in the fundamentals and advanced skills of the writing craft, plus a knowledge of the history of literary conventions and concepts.
Admission is determined by faculty evaluation of manuscripts.
The Creative Writing Department has several unique support organizations to assist in a writer's development. These readings have been recorded or videotaped for years. The unique resources of the Poetry Center and American Poetry Archives are available to students in our program free of charge. The department publishes two literary magazines, Transfer and Fourteen Hills . Each spring the work of one student is published in a handsome, perfect-bound chapbook through the Michael Rubin Chapbook Award.