Kathie Bergquist

This class serves as an entry into the historical, theoretical and practical concerns of creative writing as an art form in itself and as a vital element of interdisciplinary projects. We explore the possibilities of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, plays and hybrid practices as writing for the page, as well as for performance, sound, installation, and image-based pieces. Readings include diverse examples of genre and form, as well as investigations of literary and thematic terminology. Students generate weekly responses to reading and writing exercises that focus on understanding the mechanics of writing, and are introduced to workshopping techniques and etiquette.

This class serves as an entry into the historical, theoretical and practical concerns of creative writing as an art form in itself and as a vital element of interdisciplinary projects. We explore the possibilities of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, plays and hybrid practices as writing for the page, as well as for performance, sound, installation, and image-based pieces. Readings include diverse examples of genre and form, as well as investigations of literary and thematic terminology. Students generate weekly responses to reading and writing exercises that focus on understanding the mechanics of writing, and are introduced to workshopping techniques and etiquette.

What does it mean to write queerly? Is the personal truly political? What constraints do dominant structural expectations of form and craft place in the non-conforming imagination? Combining critical reading and reflection with writing and student-centered workshop practice, this course explores themes and aesthetics present in the work of contemporary queer personal narrative. Through the study of authors including Melissa Febos, Saeed Jones, Alexander Chee, Mattilda Sycamore Bernstein, Kai Cheng Thom, and Cooper Lee Bombardier, we contemplate the juxtapositions between intersectional identities, marginalization, and social and historical context in the art of personal writing. Weekly reading response journals and creative exploration combined with vigorous craft discussion culminate in composing and revising two potentially publishable personal essays.

What makes James Baldwin¿s voice so unmistakable? Why is it easy to distinguish between the works of Virginia Woolf and Vladimir Nabokov? This course investigates the art of sentence construction¿the building block of creative writing¿showing how a well-crafted sentence is not merely a vehicle for information or plot, but a vital tool for shaping voice, tone, and style. Through close study of sentences from iconic writers such as Baldwin, Woolf, Ocean Vuong, and Maggie Nelson, students will explore the intricacies of syntax, structure, and stylistic devices. Combining critical analysis with creative experimentation, students will deepen their understanding of the power of sentence-level techniques, honing their ability to cultivate a distinct literary voice. The course culminates in a creative portfolio, accompanied by a thoughtful reflection on individual writing processes and stylistic choices.