Course Descriptions

The lasting influence and power of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings saga is undeniable - and seeing more mainstream success only with the release of a critically acclaimed series of films and an award-winning massively multiplayer online game. The purpose of this course is to look critically at such things as the books, the films, the game, and other 'versions' to explore how different media handle the same material. We will, as a class, discuss such issues as character and plot development, themes and literary elements, story-telling styles, cultural and historical contexts, benefits and limitations of various media, identity and role-playing games, and the role of audience in storytelling. Placing three different media into socio-cultural contexts will allow us to explore such issues as the role of story-teller, the importance of the visual, and the role of 'game' in today's society. Students in this class can expect to engage in activities such as reading the novels, watching the films, playing the game, writing, discussing and participating in individual and/or group projects that delve into the Tolkien's work and the power of translation.Prerequisite: Take ENG-102 with a Minimum Grade of C-

• English
• 3 Credit(s)
• (3) Contact Hour(s)

Fiction Writing continues to develop students' skill in the elements of fiction, including structure, character, and plot development. Students will critique and revise their writing in workshop seminars. Students develop critical expertise and technical language to better discuss works-in-progress. Prerequisite: English 101. Previous experience in fiction is not required, but the student is expected to be proficient in the mechanics of writing. This course carries SUNY General Education The Arts credit.Prerequisite: Take ENG-101 with a Minimum Grade of C-

• English
• 3 Credit(s)
• (3) Contact Hour(s)

This course focuses on the writing of Creative Nonfiction. Techniques and skills of the various forms of creative nonfiction, such as The Personal Essay, Memoir, Literary Journalism, Flash Nonfiction, and the Travel Essay are examined in class and practiced in student writing. Students will learn and practice strategies for brainstorming, drafting, critiquing, and revising their work, as well as refining the critical expertise and technical language to help them better discuss works-inprogress. Previous experience in creative non-fiction is not required, but the student is expected to be proficient in the mechanics of writing. This course carries SUNY General Education The Arts credit.Prerequisite: Take ENG-101 with a Minimum Grade of C-

• English
• 3 Credit(s)
• (3) Contact Hour(s)

This course focuses on the writing of Poetry. Various forms and styles of poetry such as the sonnet, sestina, free verse, and ekphrasitic will be composed. Students will learn and practice strategies for brainstorming, drafting, critiquing, and revising their work, as well as refining the critical expertise and technical language to help them better discuss works-in-progress. Previous experience in poetry is not required, but the student is expected to be proficient in the mechanics of writing. This course carries SUNY General Education The Arts credit.Prerequisite: Take ENG-101 with a Minimum Grade of C-

• English
• 3 Credit(s)
• (3) Contact Hour(s)

The Creative Writing Capstone requires students to meet regularly with a member of the program faculty to develop and polish a completed manuscript in preparation for a final public reading that incorporates interdisciplinary elements. Each student will propose a project for the semester, set goals in cooperation with the manuscript and/or interdisciplinary advisors, and provide regular submissions for review. Additionally, the project prepares students for the submission of their work to publishers., Co-requisite: Co-requisite: ENG-231 or ENG-232 or ENG-233 or COM-215.

• English
• 3 Credit(s)
• (3-1) Contact Hour(s)

• English
• 3 Credit(s)
• (3) Contact Hour(s)

• English
• 3 Credit(s)
• (3) Contact Hour(s)