The majority of instruction for the special topics course takes place during the intensive residency; however, the course also requires students to complete significant pre-assignments before arriving at residency: students submit original creative writing to be discussed during the residency Workshop and read and respond to materials in the Workshop Booklet. The focus of this special topics in professional writing workshop may include writing for the arts and humanities, health and science writing, travel and food writing, writing for electronic media; or free-lance writing. Other special topics in professional writing may also be offered. In addition, students read all other assigned texts, including books and/or scripts in common and small group discussion materials. Students view films, when required. Students are also required to view online orientation sessions and/or participate in virtual orientations and introductory curriculum sessions. Before residency, students are assigned to participate in a Workshop facilitated by a faculty workshop leader. In residency Workshop, students are expected to be open to the comments of faculty and students, to provide comments on the work of other students, and to participate in any other assignments presented by Workshop faculty. In addition to Workshop, students attend required lectures, conferences, small group discussions, and readings, and participate in cross- genre and/or interrelatedness-of-the-arts activities. Students submit residency reports and a Workshop evaluation. If a student takes ENG636 as the MAW Capstone Residency or MFA Graduation Residency, the student must also fulfill all graduating requirements and accordingly earns 5 credits.

Prerequisites: ENG-623 or ENG-625 or equivalent and permission of Chair or Associate Programs Director.