English 361CV - Advanced Creative Writing Topics: 'Canny Valley: Writing from Art and Archives'

This multi-genre creative writing course focuses on generating writing inspired by the area's art and archives. The class will visit collections including Sylvia Plath's archives at Smith, the Emily Dickinson Museum, the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, and MHC's own art museum and archives. Students will learn how to work with archival materials including original manuscripts, correspondence, recordings, and photos and will create writing in any genre spurred by the art and archives they interact with. Readings will include writings on ekphrasis or writing that responds to visual art. The class will also meet with curators and archivists to discuss aspects of working in these fields.

Prereq: ENGL-201.