Interested in writing short stories, creative fiction, poetry, or personal narratives? In this course we will be teaching techniques for plot mapping, character development, and writing authentically. These skills will be practiced through open-ended writing prompts and writing exercises, and we will also be applying techniques learned in creative writing to personal narratives.

This course will excite young writers with numerous tools and alternative approaches to the writing process in fiction. Organized into a small group workshops based on students' choice of genre, key elements of the program include: • frequent workshop sessions in which leader and participants offer supportive feedback on your writing; • lively discussions of selections of literature; • individual meetings with workshop instructors to discuss how you will undertake a significant writing project and to review your progress; • writing-intensive sessions, focusing on challenging writing exercises; • a culminating project of submitting one piece of work for the class journal. This blend of small workshops, group writing sessions, plus presentations will inspire students to experiment with new approaches, and to consider issues of writing as process, and modes of creativity. As students grow as writers, they will hone their creative skills and deepen their passion for the writer's craft. This course is ideal for students who have a serious interest in creative writing and modern literature, who are not afraid to experiment with structure, and who want to develop a daily writing practice.

A country torn by war; a family divided by murder; a pair of lovers separated; an individual plagued by indecision. In this course, we will examine the various critical interpretations of Shakespeare's Hamlet. Through close readings, in-class lectures, and selected scenes from the play's most notable screen adaptations, students will gain an understanding and appreciation for the complexity of the work, as well as the skills necessary to discuss ideas and produce a critical essay of their own.