Spring Term Begins

It may not actually be spring yet, but spring term began today after a long (but welcome) Christmas break. As you can see above, some of us are particularly excited to be back.

Here's a look at this term's courses. They're all quite tempting:

Fiction Writing II & III (Scott Blackwood)

Blackwood's workshop/seminar focuses on fictional aesthetics, craft, and the relationship between a writer's life and publishing. Books include Marquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude, Boswell's The Half-Known World, Alice Munro, and Raymond Chandler. Guest workshoppers will include Janet Burroway, David McGlynn, and Don Pollack.

Science-Fiction and Fastasy Literature (Gary K. Wolfe)

In the past few years the boundaries of these genres, like the boundaries between popular and literary fiction, have grown increasingly fluid. This class will focus on the current state of fantastic fiction during the last two decades, focusing largely on short fiction and touching upon such writers as Robert Charles Wilson, Guy Gavriel Kay, Greg Bear, William Gibson, Connie Willis, Kelly Link, and Ted Chiang. Following introductory historical lectures, the course will develop through detailed discussions of specific stories and novels.

Poetry Writing II & III (Frank Rogaczewski)

Focuses on issues raised by contemporary poetry, and how they are reflected in student compositions. Guest workshoppers include Susan Briante.

Shakespeare and Film (Regina Buccola)

Creative Nonfiction Writing I (Janet Wondra)

Explores techniques of nonfiction storytelling with an emphasis on personal narrative, such as memoir. Texts include Judith Kitchen's Short Takes and Julie Hilden's The Bad Daughter. Guest workshoppers include Miles Harvey.

Rise of the Novel (Bonnie J. Gunzenhauser)

Books include Defoe's Robinson Crusoe, Fielding's Tom Jones, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, and Sense and Sensibility.

Screenwriting (Scott Blackwood)

Students produce a screenplay in a workshop atmosphere, practicing techniques used by professional screenwriters to create complex characters, thrilling action, and original plots. Some attention to marketing the screenplay, including the treatment and pitch. Robert McKee's Story will be used as a guide, and Yaphet Smith will stop by in March to workshop.

Click here for more first-day-back pics.