University of Iowa debuts new creative writing major

IOWA CITY - Just in time for the debut of a new Visual Arts Building, Voxman Music Building and Hancher Auditorium, the University of Iowa this fall will introduce a new undergraduate creative writing major.

'It is perfect timing to launch this major because creative writing is the other expressive art on campus,” said Kate Torno, a UI undergraduate adviser in English. 'It reminds people of the powerhouse they have in writing, music and art within the state.”

UI is widely known for its Iowa Writers' Workshop - an historic, first-of-its-kind graduate-level creative writing program that confers master of fine arts degrees. But until now, the university has not offered a stand-alone creative-writing program for undergraduate students.

The university in 2008 opened a creative-writing track in its English program, which boasts nearly 100 students to date. And many have requested a 'more in-depth writing experience,” according to a proposal for the creative writing program submitted to the Board of Regents.

'There have been ongoing requests from undergraduates about a creative-writing program at the university,” according to the proposal. 'Students are interested in being part of the writing community; a stand-alone program would help facilitate their education and inclusion.”

Regents approved the new program earlier this month, meaning the undergraduate creative writing track will end - although those on it can complete the track or move to the new program. University officials are projecting 50 students will declare the new 'English and creative writing” major this year, with enrollment jumping to 200 by year seven.

'The university is known as a writing university, as is our community, with the City of Literature designation and Prairie Lights (Books),” said Claire Fox, UI English professor and summer chairwoman of the English department. 'This new major really will introduce students as early as freshman year to the wealth of opportunities in the field of creative writing.”

Expanding UI's creative writing offerings jives with communication from UI President Bruce Harreld, who has emphasized the importance of focusing on the things in which the university excels - often highlighting the Iowa Writers' Workshop.

But, Fox said, the English department drafted the proposal well before Harreld's arrival and actually forwarded it to the Board of Regents in November 2014.

'It's had a long path toward approval,” she said.

The program is a collaboration between the English Department and the Iowa Writers' Workshop. And although the graduate pursuit is separate from the undergraduate, the new major will deepen connections between the undergraduate and graduate offerings.

'The Writers' Workshop does offer courses for undergraduates, many of which are included in the proposed program, and will give undergraduates larger access to the Writers' Workshop,” according to the program proposal.

Diverse texts

Lan Samantha Chang, who has directed the Writers' Workshop for a decade, said the benefits go both ways.

'We hope that the new major will give our graduate students more teaching opportunities,” she said, adding, 'several faculty members, including myself, find working with undergraduates rewarding and are interested in teaching undergraduate fiction and undergraduate poetry workshops.”

The new creative writing curriculum will not be singularly focused on writing, but also will teach students to analyze diverse texts, experience a variety of literary forms, and hone oral and written communication skills.

By taking that broad approach, the major will prepare students for more than just creative-writing careers or further graduate studies. It could dispatch workers into the fields of publishing, editing, marketing and other communication-related areas.

The program proposal cites workforce projections showing 12 percent growth in public relations careers, as well as 12 percent growth among managers and 9 percent growth among administrators, all of which benefit from communication and writing skills.

The UI program will stand out from other creative-writing offerings in the state, including the creative writing minor at University of Northern Iowa and the English major with 'optional creative writing courses” at Iowa State University.

'Most postsecondary institutions in Iowa offer programs related to creative writing, but few offer a program that integrates reading literature with writing as an art form,” according to the proposal.

UI officials project the new program's initial cost at $91,500 - money for a lecturer and teaching assistant, which will be covered by College of Liberal Arts and Sciences funds. By the third year, the cost could increase to about $370,00 but have more revenue through an increase in credit hours.

Overall, according to the proposal, the cost is expected to be 'minimal” because existing faculty will participate - creating three new courses and tapping existing courses in the Department of English, Non-fiction Writing Program and Writers' Workshop for the other requirements.

'The course work, faculty and infrastructure for the major are in place,” according to the proposal.

UI sophomore Gwyneth Forsythe, 19, said she's glad the new program is now available. Although she declared herself a double major in English and theater as a freshman last year, she knew a creative writing option was in the pipeline and plans to make a change this fall.

She'll keep theater but swap the creative writing major for the more-generalized English program. The change, she said, will let her narrow her focus on her true passion.

'I think it would be good to have classes geared more toward writing …

because I want to be a playwright or a novelist,” she said. 'I want to be a writer of some sort.”