1980-81 SENATE DOCUMENT #26 APC DOCUMENT #26 Literature and Language Major The Academic Policies Committee recommends to the Faculty Senate approval of the following proposal to change major requirements for Literature and Language major, Program C (Creative Writing): Proposed Change (Catalog page 128, 1980-81 edition): Strike the last paragraph on the page which begins, "The requirements for the program in creative writing are ..." and substitute the following paragraph. (Underlined portions represent the changes.) The requirements for the program in creative writing are at least 24 hours of courses in literature, including 201, 202, 203, 204, 361, 382, 455, 480; nine hours of workshop courses (Language 361 and 363); Language 497; nine hours of courses outside the department selected from an approved list in Art, Drama, and Music; a Demonstration of Competency examination appropriate to the program; and competence on the intermediate level in a classical or modern foreign language. Rationale and Course Changes: (a) ADD Literature 382 (Contemporary Literature). This will be a new course designed to replace Literature 381 (Form and Theory of Literature). We believe that for prospective writers, a knowledge of the newest experiments, forms, successes and failures by major contemporary writers is more important than further study of theory (already covered in part by the genre courses in fiction and poetry). DELETE Literature 381. New Course Description: Literature 382: Contemporary Literature (3) A study of new forms in poetry and fiction by current authors. Emphasis on imaginative qualities rather than on critical analysis. Required for Creative Writing Majors. Prerequisite: 201, 202, 203, 204. (b) Literature 480 (Seminar in Shakespeare) will be substituted for Literature 331 (The Art of Drama) on the assumption that writing majors should be required to study the most important English writer, and that in the process, they will also be receiving an exposure to drama. It is our feeling that a potential writer of poetry or fiction will learn more from Shakespeare in particular than from a study of drama in general. (c) Language 497 (Senior Paper) will be a three credit requirement in place of the current 1 credit Language 496. We believe that a writing major should produce a book-length manuscript of poetry, Page 2 short stories, or even a novelette as the final project of the major, and that such an extensive work should receive more credit than the current course allows. This change will also cause a change in course description for Language 496 (Page 131, 1980-81 edition). New course descriptions: Language 496 Senior Journalism Project (1) A written project appropriate to the student's interest and training in Program B. Language 497 Senior Paper in Creative Writing (3) A significant manuscript of poetry or fiction in creative writing. (d) Nine hours of study in Art, Music, and Drama have been added because we believe that students interested in the arts should be required to study other art forms that will enhance their sensitivity and extend their aesthetic awareness. Effective Date: Fall, 1981 (Passed by Faculty Senate 3/5/81)