Writing Concentration

Professor discussing MCLA student's workThe Writing Concentration invites students to risk new forms for telling stories, for witnessing and describing the contemporary, and stretching the limits of language. Workshops are intimate, egalitarian and open spaces where students may experiment with expression and technique, and use the study of literature to further their creative practice. 

Beyond coursework, the Writing Concentration is flush with co-curricular opportunities to engage with the literary community both at MCLA and in wider spheres. Students submit creative writing to the literary and arts journal, Spires (and might join the student-run editorial team); they train to become a Writing Associate at the Writing Studio; read their work at open mics, or—as annual winners of the Senior Writing Contest do—present creative writing alongside esteemed authors at campus-wide events. Nationally acclaimed authors visit each semester to mentor students and give literary readings. Students also have opportunities to intern with Tupelo Press, a nationally recognized poetry press based in North Adams. 

Writing Concentration  

Students majoring in English may select a Writing Concentration.

Take at least six Writing courses. Courses range from creative writing and craft workshops to those on rhetoric and linguistics, editing and publishing, and writing pedagogy. 

Everyone takes: 

  • ENGL 208 Experiments in Creative Writing 

Take two of the following: 

  • ENGL 202 Writing Identities
  • ENGL 230 Creative Writing: Poetry 
  • ENGL 235 Creative Writing: Fiction 

Take one of the following (that you haven’t already taken): 

  • ENGL 202 Writing Identities 
  • ENGL 230 Creative Writing: Poetry 
  • ENGL 235 Creative Writing: Fiction 
  • ENGL 303 Creative Writing: Prose (current themes include Writing Unlikable Narration and Disability Poetics)
  • ENGL 308 Writing Associate Workshop 
  • ENGL 331 Story of English 
  • ENGL 341 Hybrid Poetics 
  • ENGL 363 Travel Writing 

Take two of the following: 

  • ENGL 410 Special Topics in Creative Writing 
  • ENGL 430 Advanced Poetry Workshop 
  • ENGL 435 Advanced Fiction Workshop (Small Press & Indie Lit Publishing Practicum) 
  • ENGL 493 Teaching Assistantship in English 
  • ENGL 500 Independent Study 
  • ENGL 540 Internship in English