Comments on: Notes on My Dream MFA in Writing Program

By: Literature Is Not Dead » Blog Archive » The Literature Is Not Dead Undergraduate Creative Writing Program

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 14:58:24 +0000

[...] to design our own undergraduate writing program. Below is mine. I know I was highly influenced by Dennis Cass’s dream MFA program he posted about a few weeks [...]

By: denniscass

denniscass — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:51:52 +0000

@Eric: I think you’re going to be talking about literature all the time, and using examples as well.

My point is to mimic as best as possible the real-world social and intellectual pressure to be up on your lit.

So if Joseph Conrad keeps coming up in class then you best either reads you some Conrad or learn how to fake your way through a conversation about how something is “Conradian.”

By: Eric

Eric — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:16:51 +0000

I love the idea of a course focuses on the sentence, paragraph, etc. And “The Internet for Writers” would be terrific, as would managing your web presence.

No literature at all? In the Scene class, you would have discussions about what makes a scene and students would write scenes, but no literature to illustrate points you want to make?

By: denniscass

denniscass — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:18:08 +0000

@Wendy: You raise a good point about the pub. system. I think excerpts or character monologues or essays about world-building or whatever could count. The point is to give experience with the publication process and test if students have grown professionally as well as artistically.

By: Wendy Nelson Tokunaga

Wendy Nelson Tokunaga — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:09:57 +0000

As a recent graduate of an MFA program, I’m impressed with the required courses. Most programs lack such practical classes. However, I do think there are benefits in studying literature and critiquing student work, though this shouldn’t make up the majority of a student’s time. The graduation requirement publication system seems to favor only those who write short pieces and not novelists, unless they would publish novel excerpts. Still, I don’t think this part would appeal to everyone.

Good luck with your accreditation!

By: Dennis Lang

Dennis Lang — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:34:53 +0000

I have this lingering question. Years ago as a grad student in film there appeared to be a genuine possibilty to actually create a career in the industry, and subsequently, with the emergence and popularity of the independents, even more so. But what the heck does anyone do with an MFA in Creative Writing other than teach, or become a hair stylist, and maybe keep writing?

By: Lee

Lee — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:02:47 +0000

Awesome. I’d also like a class that mentions taxes and contracts for writers. My ideal MFA would also be well funded, or it would make students work in the community. Teaching fellowships are good, but building houses or working in a soup kitchen would provide so much more experience, experience that would be quite necessary if your MFA students are coming straight from undergrad.

By: Adrianne

Adrianne — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 23:36:08 +0000

WANT

By: bets

bets — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:50:07 +0000

I’d take that coursework and I noticed you included something on “what to say”.

A friend of mine just started at Seton Hill’s genre masters program. I can’t wait to hear all about it.

By: Cat

Cat — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:45:03 +0000

sign me up!

By: Dennis Lang

Dennis Lang — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:50:13 +0000

Beautiful. Should we expect a stringent application process?

By: Lars

Lars — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:12:09 +0000

Great, now I want to apply to an MFA program that doesn’t exist.