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SJU Writing Studies Fall 2025 Course Offerings

By In A Writing Life, Stuff You Oughta Know

Photo: Howard Dinin

Mondays, 6:30-9:15 pm, Online/Synchronous
ENG 620 Special Topics in Lit/Culture: Writing and Reading Animals
Instructor: Dr. Melissa A. Goldthwaite
CRN: 40418
(Area I)

In this hybrid literature and writing course, we will consider the representation of animals in a range of texts and explore various depictions of animals, focusing on what they teach us about animals, humans, and the environment—and the relationships among all three. We will also consider how literary portrayals of animals (pets, animals in captivity or in the wild) both draw from and differ from representations in scientific and philosophical texts. Students will have flexibility to develop their own writing-about-animals project in keeping with their goals and focus in the Writing Studies program. Assignments will include short writings for each class, a presentation, and a longer final project, which will be workshopped by the class.

 

Tuesdays, 6:30-9:15 pm, Online/Synchronous
ENG 550: The Practice of Writing
Instructor: Dr. Cristina Hanganu-Bresch
CRN: 40417
(Core Class)

This course is designed as an Introduction to the Writing Studies Program, and it allows students to explore a variety of genres while they delve into career options within the writing/publishing world. Students will consider the work of various writers and will play the role of columnist, essayist, poet, fiction writer, and editor. At the end of the course, students will reflect on these different roles and begin brainstorming a possible thesis project in one area.

Thursdays, 6:30-9:15 pm, Online/Synchronous
ENG 679 Special Topics in Journalism: Food Writing
Instructor: Professor Tenaya Darlington
CRN: 42268
(Area III)

Have you ever wanted to write about food professionally or become more knowledgeable about the area of Food Writing? In this class, you’ll read a variety of books by writers who make their living through writing about food – from a best-selling cookbook by a former English major (Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat); a memoir by a famous food blogger (A Homemade Life); and a journalistic investigation into American food culture by Michael Pollen (In Defense of Food). Along the way, you’ll also learn how to write evocatively about the things you eat (Beyond Delicious). Plan to write, read, taste, research, and cook!

Summer 2025 Course Offerings

By In A Writing Life, Stuff You Oughta Know

Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6:30-7:45 pm, Synchronous/Online
ENG 668: Creative Nonfiction Workshop – To Tell a Story
Instructor: Professor Robert Wilder
CRN: 20539
(Area III)

Nonfiction (essay, article, column, memoir, personal narrative, creative nonfiction, Substack) is a form of storytelling. Whether you are writing about learning to drive, odd insect mating practices, or your obsession with exotic sea salts, you are telling a story you want the reader to fully inhabit and experience. As a small, supportive community of writers, we will discuss the vital storytelling elements—scene, dialogue, conflict, structure—that help bring out the elements already present in the story you are trying to tell. Our goal is to meet each workshop piece on its own terms, understanding the authorial intent while trying to help the writer toward the next, more fully realized draft. In addition, we will examine exemplary published pieces of nonfiction, hoping to learn from them for the benefit of our own work.

 Summer II 7/7/25 – 8/22/25

 Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6:30-7:45 pm, Synchronous/Online
ENG 669: Poetry Writing Workshop
Instructor: Dr. Kay Cosgrove
CRN: 20538
(Area III)

Get ready to fall in love with writing poetry. In this class, we’ll embrace the traditional workshop style where you’ll be submitting your poems regularly, weekly or bi-weekly. Your peers and I will offer comments on your work that will be both verbal and written.  At the start of each workshop, I’ll kick things off with a brief poem, sparking inspiration for a craft related prompt. These exercises aim to unleash new ideas, hone your craft, and pave the way for exciting new poems throughout the semester. The goal of this workshop is to give you an opportunity to hear thoughtful readers’ responses to your poems, generate work and to be enthralled. I’ll be cheering you on to take risks, pushing you beyond the subjects, gestures, and forms with which you are already comfortable.

The Avenue 2024-2025 Call for Submissions

By In A Writing Life, Student & Alumni Contributions, Stuff You Oughta Know

 

The SJU Writing Studies literary magazine, The Avenue, is now open for submissions for the Spring 2025 issue! 

Submissions are due by Friday, December 20th, 2024. 

We want this issue to reflect the breadth, depth, and strength of current students and recent alumni of the SJU Writing Studies Program. We invite all genres (fiction, poetry, non-fiction, prose)

  • Prose should be no more than 2000/words or 8 pages of double-spaced work. Excerpts from longer pieces are welcome. 
  • We welcome multiple poetry submissions, but please limit your submissions to three poems.
  • We also welcome artwork/photography/visual art submissions to be featured in the issue!

Please follow these guidelines when submitting:

  • Size 12 font, double spaced
  • Please submit your final copy as a word document attachment
  • Do not include any identifying information in your piece as submissions will be reviewed anonymously.
Submit your pieces via email to theavenue@sju.edu.
 
If you have any questions, please email theavenue@sju.edu directly.
 
We look forward to reading your work! Happy writing!
 
All best,
Mickey Schuster, Jonathan Procopio, Edward Malandro, Brianna Vassallo, and Chase Davis

Avenue Editorial Board