COURSE CURRICULUM

In the first year of the Creative Writing and English Literature degree, students are immersed in a dynamic combination of writing practice and literary study. The year is structured around three bespoke creative writing modules designed to build confidence, broaden perspectives, and cultivate craft. Beginning with “Creative Writing: Beginnings,” students explore the fundamentals of prose, poetry, and scriptwriting, guided by published authors and enriched by close reading of contemporary texts. This foundation is expanded in the spring semester with “Creative Writing: Experiments in Genre,” which encourages students to push boundaries, question convention, and play with form. Simultaneously, “New Forms: Writing in Collaboration” offers a more interdisciplinary approach, allowing students to work with peers from other UEA departments such as medicine, environmental science, or media. This module supports the development of creative work that reaches new audiences and demonstrates writing's relevance across contexts.Literary modules complement creative practice by deepening students' understanding of texts and sharpening their analytical skills. Through “Reading Literature in History” and “Reading Now,” students develop key skills in close reading and contextual analysis, engaging with literature from both historical and contemporary perspectives. The spring semester’s “Slow Reading” allows for deep engagement with a single literary text, fostering nuanced interpretation and critical reflection through sustained analysis. Together, these modules nurture a rich interplay between reading and writing, setting a strong academic and creative foundation. Students are encouraged to develop their own voice while learning to respond constructively to feedback, setting the tone for future collaborative and independent work. This first year is not only about discovering forms and genres but also about learning how to be a writer and reader in the modern world, equipped with both imaginative flair and critical insight.