The Creative Writing Program at UBC:
Prospective Students - Individual Courses - Courses

Note: this is an incomplete list of Creative Writing Courses. A complete list of the 2012/2013 courses offered will be available in April 2012.

Please contact Pat Rose, Secretary for general inquiries about the program.
telephone: 604-822-0699
patrose (at) mail (dot) ubc (dot) ca

ubc logoUBC online course calendar

Students who are not in our program, as well as unclassified students, can apply to take one or more Creative Writing classes. Students must have an active UBC student number or are in the process of applying for one from UBC Admissions or via www.ubc.ca.

 

CrWr 213: Introduction to Writing for New Media, 3 Credits
Meets: Mondays 1-3 in LASR102 (W2011)
Professor: Christine Leclerc, cl2280cl [at] interchange.ubc.ca

In this course we will study writing for new media in the forms of: hypertext, blogging (can include podcasting), games and web series. A major learning objective for this course is to develop a greater understanding of narrative and the way it functions in various forms of new media. The course projects, in-class reflective writing, in-class writing exercises, interactive presentations, workshops, guest speakers and readings have been selected with this objective in mind. 

 

CrWr 301A and B: Introduction to Creative Nonfiction

True stories, well told, are among the most powerful of modern literary forms. This course, designed for students with a modest amount of writing experience, will teach writers some of the skills and techniques required to turn fact into compelling nonfiction narratives. This will be accomplished through readings, assignments, lectures and class discussions. Assignments will range from 400 to 3000 words, from memoirs to interview-based research pieces. Students will develop their own pieces through the workshop process, with emphasis on the importance of revision.

 

CW 405: Intermediate Creative Nonfiction

This is a survey course intended to introduce the intermediate-level writer to the most prominent forms of creative nonfiction: autobiography, commentary, literary journalism and the personal essay. Each student will write one assignment (and one re-write) of each form -- ie. two assignments per term. In our approach, two or three students will submit their work to the class each week for workshopping, followed by a consultation with the instructor if requested. The course also includes introductory lectures, visiting nonfiction writers, and ongoing advice on how to submit your writing to the literary nonfiction marketplace. Regular attendance, serious participation and meeting deadlines is absolutely required.

 

CrWr 409C-002

When I sit down to write a book, I do not say to myself, 'I am going to produce a work of art.' I write it because there is some lie that I want to expose, some fact to which I want to draw attention, and my initial concern is to get a hearing.  But I could not do the work....if it were not also an aeshthetic experience."  George Orwell, WHY I WRITE

Course goals:  Encourage the practice of fiction writing; support originality, growth, and risk in our fellow writers’ works; develop as editors of narrative and prose forms; read broadly with a focus upon literary magazines, e-zines, and anthologies and the neighbourhood we're invading; explore submitting works for publication and prizes

Workshop Format: Over the course of the term, each writer submits two works for discussion and feedback.  Two-Three stories will be discussed per session.  Feedback, in the form of spoken and written remarks, is thorough, thoughtful, and constructive  (“First, do no harm”).  The writer takes notes during the discussion and may answer questions if asked; at the end of the session, the writer is invited to ask any questions he/she wishes.  Stories are returned  to the writer, with written comments, at the conclusion of the discussion.  Writers are invited to debrief with the instructor after the class.  

The Spring 2011 workshop is encouraged to explore an outline for a novel or the novel.  

 

CrWr 410 Undergrad Poetry Workshop 3 credits

During this workshop, participants will have the opportunity to discuss and critique students’ poetry with an eye to revision. Students will work towards preparing a final manuscript of approximately 8 single-spaced typewritten pages.

The workshop will explore aspects of technique such as diction, syntax, and the line, as well as various structures for the poem. The creative process, approaches to revision, and issues of accessibility will also be discussed. Class assignments which are affiliated with discussion topics are given to generate poems.

Emphasis is placed on a respectful attitude towards the work of others. However, students are also expected to provide evaluative critiques which will help workshop colleagues revise as well as help sharpen students’ own self-criticism skills.

For further details on this course, request the course outline from Professor Tregebov.

 

CrWr 414C-002 Writing for Television Workshop 3 credits
Peggy Thompson

During this workshop, participants will work on television scripts, either for an original concept or create a “spec” script for an already existing program.  Students will follow the process of writing for television from a verbal pitch, to outline, to draft and if time, a revision. The workshop explores the techniques of writing for television including formatting, character, plot and story.

In class participation regarding other students work is an important part of this course.  There is a template form to assist with this.  A respectful attitude towards the work of others is expected.

 

CrWr 415/515 Literary TranslationWorkshop 3 credits

Prerequisite: all students enrolling in this course must have proficiency in a second language. Because the workshop offers a unique opportunity to focus on craft and technique, Creative Writing Majors and MFA students who feel that they are not completely fluent in a second language are nonetheless encouraged to enrol. Consult with Professor Tregebov in advance of application if you have any concerns.

This is a mixed graduate and undergraduate workshop intended to provide students with the opportunity to practise and study literary translation into English. Students will translate poetry or fiction from the work of literary authors of their choice (selections with the Professor's approval). Participants will have the opportunity to discuss and critique students' translations. Discussions will cover the basic linguistic underpinnings to translation as well as a variety of approaches to translation. By the end of the term, students will have produced a body of revised, polished translations of approximately 8 pages (poetry) to 12 pages (prose).

For further details on this course, request the course outline from Professor Tregebov.

 

CrWr 433a -001  WRITING FOR CHILDREN II
Instructor:  Linda Svendsen, Professor
Prerequisite:  CrWr 403 or by permission of instructor

You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children.” Madeleine L’Engle

This three credit workshop builds upon CrWr 403A Writing for Children I, including further development of projects initiated in previous workshops.  Students are encouraged to explore all genres of writing for children including picture books, early readers, non-fiction, screen and television projects, juvenile and YA novels.  While discussion is based upon two presentations of work by each student, visits by children's editors and/or illustrators ocasionally occur.  Students are invited to attend events organized by the Vancouver Children's Literature Roundtable and to read widely in children's literature.  

This workshop offers an ongoing exploration into the minds and needs of our audiences and  the challenge of making it new.   

 

Special Projects – Writing for Television
CrWr 439/539, 3 credits Fall – Thursdays, 3-5 p.m.

Linda Svendsen

This workshop is open to undergraduates and graduates developing original projects in television including comedic and dramatic series, movies-of-the-week, and miniseries.  Spec scripts may be considered. Students working on projects collaboratively as co-writers are encouraged to apply; other students may be encouraged to team up on original projects in a mock story department. 

Please send a c.v., sample script, and transcript to Professor Peggy Thompson.  All students will be streamed towards the appropriate workshop for their level and project. 

 

CrWr 439/539 Grad/Undergrad Graphic Novel and Manga, Intermediate Level, 3 credits

Mary Schendlinger

Participating writers will draft and revise 10 pages (or equivalent) of fiction or non-fiction work in the graphica form: graphic novel, comics, or manga. Along the way, we will study the art, craft, and theory of graphica as distinct from prose and film; scrutinize the work of the masters; complete in-class exercises; and explore and critique each other’s work. In these activities, each writer will be encouraged to find her/his own story, purpose, and style within the graphica landscape. 

For further details on this course, contact the instructor, Mary Schendlinger, through department staff. 

 

CrWr 505: Advanced Creative Nonfiction

This is a survey course for accomplished student writers who wish to expand their writing experience and credentials to include the writing of creative nonfiction. While we will study and seek to emulate works of the highest literary standard, our assignments will also incorporate, where apt, the demands of the literary marketplace. Thus, each year, a number of our students succeed in having their assignments published in reputable newspapers and magazines.This enables all workshop participants to experience some of the real-life struggles and opportunties of a professional writing life. The course includes lectures, talks & readings by visiting writers, and much workshop discussion. We will focus on the four most prominent forms of creative nonfiction: autobiography, commentary, literary journalism and the personal essay.

 

CrWr 510-001 Grad Poetry 6 credits

During this workshop, students will have the opportunity to discuss and critique students' poetry with an eye to revision. Students will work towards preparing a final manuscript of approximately 20 pages.

The workshop will explore aspects of technique such as pronoun use, diction, syntax, the line, and various structures for the poem including some of the traditional forms. Other topics of discussion will include the creative process, approaches to revision, and the pragmatics of getting published. Revision exercises affiliated with discussion topics will be given periodically.

Emphasis is placed on a respectful attitude towards the work of others. However, students are also expected to provide evaluative critiques which will help workshop colleagues revise as well as help sharpen students' own self-criticism skills.

For further details on this course, request the course outline from Professor Tregebov.

 

CRWR 522B: Teaching Creative Writing

CRWR 522B: Teaching Creative Writing

What does it mean to teach as a writer and to write as a teacher? Teaching is arguably the most significant career option for writers, so this course is geared towards writers who want practical teaching experience and a space to reflect amongst peers on teaching highlights and challenges. We will have teaching placements (or practicums or practica, as education folks might say) in different contexts, including high schools, ESL, universities, and community organizations. We will workshop writing prompts that will be useful in di fferent ill share readings about teaching, Creative Writing, and the education system. We will explore the field of Creative Writing in the present day by both attending to its history and imagining its potential futures.

What might an open-ended approach to class look like? Questions strike me as more fun than answers, provocation more than certainty. This approach allows us to begin with what intrigues you as an individual and us as a group, while our final projects will involve teaching portfolios geared towards your goals as a writer-teacher. Alums of this class have used these skills and portfolios to secure jobs teaching jobs in universities, non-credit Creative Writing programs, and ESL schools. For an example of the teaching work created in this class, see: