The Nonfiction program introduces students to a variety of forms in nonfiction and helps them explore the history of the genre and find ways of creating nonfiction that is individual and original.  The foundation of the major is a series of workshops in Creative Nonfiction, which include Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced. In these workshops, students focus on generating materials and writing and critiquing their essays. Students will also take courses focused on reading various genres of creative nonfiction and major nonfiction authors. Other classes will combine craft with readings in the theoretical underpinnings of nonfiction, and will introduce students to a wide variety of forms drawing from literary genres and subgenres such as autobiography, essay, the graphic novel, memoir, aphorism, and travel writing, among others. Students will be required to take a number of literature classes in the English Department to deepen their understanding of the history of literary nonfiction. Students also are encouraged to take elective courses in the visual and performing arts, and in New Media. The capstone experience for students will be the thesis class, where students will develop and revise a thesis of their best work.

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate a familiarity with the common language of the discipline of nonfiction writing.
• Demonstrate a familiarity with how open creative nonfiction is to new modes of expression.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the major aspects of the history of nonfiction and its subgenres.
• Use a variety of narrative techniques, written forms, and revision strategies to create effective nonfiction.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between effective reading and effective writing.
• Perform reasonably close readings of works of nonfiction by 1) analyzing relevant literary elements in nonfiction (narrative techniques, themes, forms/subgenres, stylistic choices, or other literary devices common to fiction), and 2) making appropriate reference to relevant texts and contexts.
• Demonstrate a meaningful ability to participate in contemporary conversations on social and cultural change.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the literary marketplace and processes crucial to publishing their writing.
• Apply creative problem-solving, effective written and oral communications, and critical thinking to their preparation for graduate studies, writing-related careers, and other professions.

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