BA in Liberal Studies, Creative Writing and Literature

Introduction

Do you ever think of the writer on the other side of that magazine, newspaper, book, or blog? They have made a career out of writing, and so can you. Writing permeates our lives every day, as written language remains an absolutely vital form of communication. Accurately expressing thoughts, motivations, ideas and dreams through creative writing is critical to success in many fields. Look at historical masterpieces across a variety of genres and discover the context in which they were written to elicit creativity and inspire your unique writing style.

This degree is offered by AU Midwest.

Program Overview

In AUM’s Creative Writing and Literature concentration, you’ll take a close and critical look at some of the best work in multiple genres from across the ages while honing your own writing skills. You’ll become proficient in disciplined writing practices and master communication and organizational strategies to transform creative self expression into marketable skills.

Coursework

Core Courses

• Experience and Expression
• Modes and Methods of Learning
• Literary Analysis and Argumentation
• Culture, Conflict, and Social Research
• Foundations of Civilization
• Ecology, Technology, and Society
• Leadership

Concentration Courses

• Short Story Writing
• English: The Global Language
• Social Media and Social Change
• African American Literature
• Contemporary Theory & Criticism
• Shakespeare
• One Elective
• Senior Project

For course descriptions, please see the current course catalog.

Career Outlook

Become well-prepared to pursue your career goal to become an author in fiction or non-fiction, or as a writer for marketing, strategic communications, education, grant writing, and fundraising/development.

Admissions / Cost / Aid

Additional Information

3+1 Pathways

As part of AUM’s ongoing commitment to make college tuition as affordable as possible, we have partnered with Clark State Community College, Sinclair Community College, and Southern State Community College to offer 3+1 agreements which allow students who have finished certain associate’s degrees to seamlessly continue on to earn a bachelor’s degree from AUM.

Learning Outcomes

• Evaluate and apply the craft of writing in multiple genres. Students will explore literary expression in order to achieve greater proficiency in their own craft as writers.
• Examine and apply the craft of close reading of literature. Students will cultivate their ability to examine the craft of other writers (both historical and contemporary), looking at formal elements of the work, including language, character, story, theme, rhythm, and tone.
• Examine and analyze the impact that creative writing has in our world.
• Evaluate and articulate the foundational skills of a professional writer. Students will constructively comment on the work of other writers in one or more creative literary forms (poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction), participate in a writing community, and apply best practices of editing, revision techniques, and grammar.
• Create and write with proficiency in one or more creative literary forms (poetry, fiction, and/or creative non-fiction). Students will produce written work using the process approach of discovering material, creating the appropriate form according to the intended effect on the target audience, and revising as necessary.