Telling
Stories
English/Creative Writing
at Stephens College People make meaning of their experiences through stories. Some are fact; others fiction. We tell some for pleasure, others to reflect or challenge social norms, others still to shape the world. At Stephens, we understand the power of the written word. We know that words can inform, inspire and transform. We also know the marketplace is full of opportunities to put strong writing and editing skills to work. That’s why our English/Creative Writing program emphasizes collaboration, letting readers and writers work together to explore, read, critique and write in a variety of genres. Here, you can pursue a Bachelor of Arts in English or a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, allowing you to tailor your studies to your specific interests. Add a minor to further customize your college experience. The world is full of stories just waiting to be told. At Stephens, we’ll give you the tools, training and tenacity to tell yours (and to do it well).
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I love that we’re given a place to find, polish and project our voice.” - Heather Beger ’17
The Job Market Some people ask, “What can you do with an English degree?” We ask, “What can’t you do with an English degree?” In addition to becoming a published author, poet or playwright, an English or Creative Writing degree prepares you to develop content for magazines, television productions, advertising agencies and corporations in need of printed and online material. Your Stephens B.A. or B.F.A. will give you the critical reading and editing skills required to pursue such rewarding career fields as film editor, professor, library scientist, communication director or journalist. Excellent writing and editing skills are essential and can be applied to every industry. Our alumnae have gone on to enjoy successful careers all over the world. A few: • • • •
Leslie Adrienne Miller, poet Jennifer Woods, magazine co-founder and editor Lisa C. Hickman, author Paula Zahn, journalist
The Experience We believe a college experience should be just that. At Stephens, you’ll experience the vast world of writing, learning from dedicated faculty members committed to your success. Our professors are published writers, so they know what goes into the imagining, writing, editing and publishing process. Collaborating with peers, you will explore poetry, fiction, nonfiction, autobiography and drama, learning to tell your story in a variety of styles and through multi-media platforms.
Harbinger
Stephens proudly publishes Harbinger, one of the top college literary magazines in the country. Each year Harbinger—repeatedly named Outstanding Literary Arts Journal by Sigma Tau Delta, the international English Honor Society—brings together the best student works on campus. It includes poetry, short stories, art, photography, interviews and non-fiction pieces, all carefully selected to maintain the journal’s high literary standard. You can be involved in this student-run publication, reading, selecting and editing work, as well as contributing. Each spring, we launch the journal at a party at a downtown venue—a popular event that allows writers to read selected works to a community audience. We also host other public readings, including an annual Playwriting Contest and Showcase.
Writers on the Edge
Each semester, we bring to campus working writers who are on the cutting edge of the industry. The Writers on the Edge series gives you a chance to hear about the realities of the industry, to network with professionals and to hear inspirational success stories. Past guests have included visual artist Nick Francis Potter, award-winning novelists Toni Morrison and John Irving and poet Adrienne Rich.
Sigma Tau Delta
Alpha Epsilon Eta is an “Outstanding Chapter” of Sigma Tau Delta, an international honor society for English students. Belonging to this distinguished group ensures networking, publishing and other opportunities throughout the school year. Students have also been invited to read and present at Sigma Tau Delta’s annual International Convention, typically held in the U.S. during the spring semester.
Writing at a
Woman’s College There’s a reason Stephens is a leader when it comes to preparing writers, editors and literary scholars. As a women’s college, we’re uniquely equipped to help you think critically, respect diverse opinions and find your unique voice—all skills today’s employers are seeking. Considering graduate school? Research shows that those who earn an undergraduate degree from a women’s college are more likely to complete a graduate program than their public, co-educational peers. Since our founding in 1833, we’ve been offering innovative, career-focused programming founded on the liberal arts and emphasizing the creative arts and sciences. We take both your work and your life as a writer seriously; we’ll teach you to do that, too.
“
In the English/Creative Writing program, you feel at home, where you begin to find your strengths, your niche and yourself. You will find and give constructive criticism that will better you as a writer, scholar and critic. We are a program that truly works together, combining all of our strengths in order to produce thoughtful and carefully crafted works of academia and creative writing.” - Shelly Romero ’17
dream up. English/Creative Writing www.stephens.edu
Photos by Dani Kelley ’14