Courses

This guide will give you information about Literary Arts course registration at Brown University. Some of the information contained below has just changed, so it may be worth your while to review it. For additional information about the courses offered in a particular semester, see BANNER.

Literary Arts 110: Introductory Workshops
Introductory workshops are filled on a first-registered basis. Registration begins through BANNER in the semester prior to the one during which you wish to take the course.

Most sections are open to all undergraduate students; however, in most semesters, one section per genre is limited to first and second year students (thereby ensuring that students from all years will have access to at least some introductory workshops each semester).

A limited number of slots are held for incoming students and students returning from leaves of absence. Such students should register for the desired section through BANNER. If you do not get into the workshop through BANNER, you may attend the first class to see if space becomes available.

If no spaces are available, the instructor will create a waiting list for the section from among those not registered. Literary Arts 0110 courses are not a prerequisite for taking other workshops, but do serve as a prerequisite for early entry during the Registration period into intermediate courses. (see below)

Click link to view LITR0110 Fall 2008 workshops

Click link to view LITR0110 Spring 2009 workshops

Intermediate & Advanced Courses
For all intermediate and advanced workshops, complete one copy of the Program Questionnaire (available only on Wednesday, 3 September 2008 in the hallway, next to the submission bins). The program will make copies for instructors. These classes are partially or completely filled on the basis of a writing sample (typically the sample will be in the same genre as the class).

Literary Arts 210 and 310: Intermediate Workshops
Literary Arts 210 and 310 workshops may be repeated six times for credit, but no more than three sections may be in one genre or interdisciplinary area; no one LITR 310 section may be repeated for credit. All Literary Arts 210 and some LA 310 courses are filled in two cycles. During the Registration period, students who have taken an introductory or intermediate workshop in a respective genre, or who have declared a Literary Arts Concentration, or who are seniors, may register for the first 12 spaces in all 210 workshops and some 310 workshops. The final five spaces (or in the case of some 310 sections, all 17 spaces) will be filled based on writing samples, due on the first day of the semester. Written permission will be issued after manuscripts are reviewed. Writing samples for intermediate workshops are due at 68-1/2 Brown Street between 10 am and 4 pm on Wednesday, 3 September 2008 (not at the first session of the class itself). A separate writing sample is required for each section to which you wish to apply (the work may be the same, but each instructor must receive his/her own copy). Instructors will post class lists on the first Monday of the

Click link to view LITR0210 & 0310 Fall 2008 workshops

Click link to view LITR0210 & 0310 Spring 2009 workshops

Literary Arts 710 First Year Seminar
Literary Arts 710 is designed for first-year students who have an interest in reading, researching and writing about contemporary literature. This limited enrollment class will be filled on a first-registered basis through BANNER.

Click link to view LITR 710 Fall 2008 courses

Literary Arts 1010 & 1110: Advanced Workshops
Literary Arts 1010 and 1110 courses are filled based on writing samples. There are no prerequisites for these workshops, but one section of Literary Arts 1010 does allow for registration based on meeting certain prerequisites (see next paragraph). Literary Arts 1010 and 1110 workshops may be repeated six times for credit, but no more than three sections may be in one genre; no one LITR 1110 section may be repeated for credit. Written permission will be issued after manuscripts are reviewed. Writing samples for advanced workshops are due at 68-1/2 Brown Street between 10 am and 4 pm on Wednesday, 3 September 2008 (not at the first session of the class itself). A separate writing sample is required for each section to which you wish to apply (the work may be the same, but each instructor must receive his/her own copy). Instructors will post class lists on the first Monday of the semester by 11 am. Exception: LITR 1010D, Advanced Electronic Writing, is filled in two cycles. During the Registration period, students who have taken an intermediate or advanced electronic writing workshop may register for the first 8 spaces. The final four spaces will be filled based on writing samples, due on the first day of the semester (see above for directions).

Click link to view LITR 1010 & 1110 Fall 2007 workshops

Click link to view LITR 1010 & 1110 Spring 2008 workshops

Literary Arts 1150: Advanced Special Topics Workshop/Seminars
Most Literary Arts 1150 courses are filled based on writing samples, but some have open enrollment (check Banner to see if you can register for a particular section). There are no prerequisites for these workshops. No Literary Arts 1150 workshop/seminar section may be repeated for credit, but a student may take as many as six different sections for credit. Written permission will be issued after manuscripts are reviewed. Writing samples for these workshop/seminars are due at the first session of the class itself (this differs from all other workshops). The instructor will announce when permission is to be given at the first class session.

Click link to view LITR 1150 Fall 2008 workshops

Click link to view LITR 1150 Spring 2009 workshops

Literary Arts 1200 - 1230: Reading, Research and Writing About Literature
Literary Arts 1200 - 1230 courses are designed for students who have an interest in reading, researching and writing about literature. In cases of limited enrollment classes, some will have open enrollment during the registration period; others will require permission from the instructor, who will announce the basis for selecting students at the first session. Students interested in taking one (or more) of these classes, whether limited enrollment or not, should register for them before the first day of classes. If BANNER does not allow the student to register, the student should contact the instructor for more information.

Click link to view LITR 1200 - 1230 Fall 2008 courses

Click link to view LITR 1200 - 1230 Spring 2009 courses

*Helpful Information about applying to Literary Arts Workshops*

How may I get on a wait list for the introductory workshops?
Wait lists will be created at the first workshop session. There is no advantage (or value) in contacting the instructor in advance of the first class meeting.

How long should my writing sample be?

For intermediate sections, typical submissions are:
Fiction:                 5-15 pages of prose fiction
Poetry:                  4-8 pages of poetry
Playwriting:         One play (of at least 5 pages in length)
Electronic:            A story or computer-based creative work

For advanced sections:
Fiction:               10-20 pages of prose fiction
Poetry:                8-12 pages of poetry
Playwriting:       One play
Translation:       8-20 pages of material, in translation or not
Special Topics: 8-20 pages of original material, relevant to the topic

Should I register for an intermediate or advanced creative writing workshop in advance?
If you meet the criteria, you may register for intermediate creative writing workshops and advanced electronic writing. If you are able to register, you need not submit a writing sample at the beginning of the semester. If you cannot register, then you should submit a writing sample at the beginning of the semester.

How many sections should I apply for?
Apply to any section that you would like to take - advanced and/or intermediate. The more to which you apply, the more likely you are to get into one; but don't apply to a section where you know you have a time conflict. Once you've been accepted in one section of a particular genre, you will NOT get into any other.

Can graduate students take LITR 0110-0210 classes?
No. These courses are designed for undergraduate students only. In almost all cases, the Program will not grant exceptions.

Writing samples deadline for intermediate and advanced courses : Wednesday, 3 September 2008, by 4 pm at the Literary Arts Program building, 68 1/2 Brown St.