Graduate Courses

CRAFT
The Craft of Poetry
(G39.1950, G39.1951 Breytenbach, Komunyakaa, Rohrer, visiting faculty. 4 credits)
This seminar focuses on elements of poetry most relevant to poets writing today, and is presented from the point of view of practicing poets rather than critics. Usually, a different poet teaches the course each time it is given, and therefore its nature may change profoundly from term to term. For example, one year the instructor might go over technical matters, such as line-lengths, music, metaphor, syntax, revision, and non-narrative structure; the next time it is given the instructor might discuss issues of craft by close reading of poems. Students are required to write a term paper.

The Craft of Fiction
(G39.1960 Doctorow, Strauss, Wachtel, visiting faculty. 4 credits)
This course emphasizes the study and analysis of major examples of novel, novella and short story to disclose the technical choices confronted by their authors. Consideration is given to theme and its formulation, choice of protagonists and minor characters, techniques of characterization, point of view, reflexivity and the author's relation to the material, structure of the narrative, deployment of symbol and image clusters, and questions of rhythm, style, tone, and atmosphere, complemented by the study of critical works.

The Craft of Short Fiction
(G39.1962 Marshall. 4 credits)
This course is designed specifically for the graduate fiction writer and for those who are interested in exploring the short story form. Through an analysis of the short fiction of major writers, the course provides students with a greater understanding of how these writers employ the basic elements of fiction in fashioning their stories. This analysis in turn increases students' own proficiency as writers.

WORKSHOPS
Workshop in Poetry
(G39.1910, G39.1911 Breytenbach, Komunyakaa, Levine, Olds, visiting faculty. 4 credits)
During this workshop poets gather for weekly meetings to discuss each others' new poems. Each poet is likely to be challenged and inspired, by the example of others, to write something deeper, stronger and truer than before. To help this happen, teachers and students work together to create an atmosphere in which all are encouraged to go beyond the limitations of their previous work. Participants bring in a new poem each week. In regular conferences, teachers go over the poems in greater detail.

Workshop in Fiction
(G39.1920, G39.1921 Breytenbach, Marshall, Strauss, Wachtel, visiting faculty. 4 credits)
This workshop revolves around the regular submission, discussion and analysis of student work in one or more fictional modes (short story, novella, novel), with examination of relevant readings illustrating point of view, plot, setting, characterization, dialogue, and narrative. To help this happen, teachers and students work together to create an atmosphere in which all are encouraged to go beyond the limitations of their previous work. Participants bring in a new piece of fiction each week. In regular conferences, teachers go over them in greater detail.