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Writing Minor

Traditional Undergraduate

Focused on the Written Word

Hiram College’s liberal arts curriculum values the importance of communicating ones thoughts and ideas through writing. The minor in writing offers all Hiram students the opportunity to focus on writing in a way that can augment their Hiram experience.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS AND ACADEMIC INFORMATION

Who are Hiram’s Writing Students?

They are those who wish to enhance their writing skills while focusing on other subject areas. They understand that having strong writing skills can open many doors for them. Students often combine the minor with a wide range of other disciplines, including Philosophy, Math, Environmental Studies, Biomedical Humanities, Psychology, Communication, History and Biology. They may instead consider majors in Creative Writing or English. Often, they help at The Writing Center, serving as paid assistants in first-year introductory courses.

Interested in the Writing Minor?

The minor in writing requires a firm commitment on the part of the student and approval by the writing faculty. There are two deadlines each year for submitting applications to pursue the minor in writing (November 1 and March 1). Students must apply by the end of their junior year. An electronic application form should be requested from Professor Mary Quade and submitted to her electronically at quademr@hiram.edu.

Benefits of the Writing Minor

The writing minor provides many great opportunities for applied learning, such as:

Practical Experience

Students can gain valuable experience through joining the Writers-in-Residence, the Hiram Poetry Review, or the Writing Center. Each of these groups ask our students to apply what they have learned outside of the classroom.
Study Abroad Adventures

Hiram offers several study abroad trips that emphasize creative writing: Reflect on Japan’s cultural and genetic identity, or travel to England to write about coastal towns and the significance of locations in literature.
Subject-Specific Practice

Students can learn how to effectively write about specific subject matter through the “Writing About…” workshop series, giving them an opportunity to tailor the curriculum to their interests and future goals.

Opportunities in Writing

The English program at Hiram College offers students exciting opportunities to distinguish themselves and develop professional experience and expertise while still undergraduates. Students work closely with faculty mentors to identify programs and experiences that will connect most directly with their own interests and goals.

THE LINDSAY-CRANE CENTER FOR WRITING AND LITERATURE

The Lindsay-Crane Center for Writing and Literature offers many opportunities for students, including contests in fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry, which recognize the best student-crafted creative writing. Hiram students also regularly win prizes in the East Central Colleges (ECC) competitions in creative nonfiction, fiction, and poetry; all ECC winners’ work is published in a collection.
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Bonney Castle

Hiram College’s English program is housed in historic Bonney Castle, a nineteenth-century inn that has been renovated to include a multimedia-equipped seminar room, a small library, a fully-equipped kitchen, and faculty offices. Bonney Castle is also home to the Hiram Poetry Review.
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THE WRITING HOUSE

Located next door to Bonney Castle, the Stephen and Jacquelyn Love Writing House is home to Hiram College writers. It includes the Writing Center, two classrooms, kitchenette, space for readings and receptions, and faculty offices.
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The Writing Center

The Writing Center--not to be confused with the Lindsay-Crane Center for Literature and Writing--encourage budding writers to take on positions as tutors for Hiram College students. Skilled writers who are hired at the Writing Center help with essays and the first-year program courses.
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