ENGL 612 Contemporary Literature

This course is a contemporary literature course with a special focus on how to read critically as a writer. It will focus on the literary craft of contemporary writers, evaluating their style as a foundation for a student’s own foray into creative writing.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Course Guide

View this course’s outcomes, policies, schedule, and more.*

*The information contained in our Course Guides is provided as a sample. Specific course curriculum and requirements for each course are provided by individual instructors each semester. Students should not use Course Guides to find and complete assignments, class prerequisites, or order books.


This course will equip the student to develop the literary vision necessary for their own writing by examining the literary craft in published works of contemporary literature. Aspiring writers must become excellent critical readers because revision is the most critical aspect of the creative writing process. First and foremost, revision is the ability to read one’s own writing from a critical distance. Developing the skill to read like a writer will help the student gain this critical distance for their own writing.


Textbook Readings and Lecture Presentations

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in Module 1.

Discussions (7)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. The student is required to provide a thread in response to the provided prompt for each forum. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to another classmates’ threads. Threads must be 500 words and replies must be 125 words. (CLO: A, B, C, D)

Poetry Paper Assignments (2)

The student will write two papers carefully analyzing contemporary poems. Each paper must analyze two poems. Each paper must be at least 300 words. (CLO: A, B, C, D)

“The Writing of Contemporary Literature” Assignment

The student will write a 1000 word paper detailing his or her calling as a writer, as well as describing how this course will help him or her achieve that calling. The student will write his or her Final Paper in the first person. The student will give 5 lessons or tools that he or she has gained from this course. (CLO: A, B, C, D)


Top 1% For Online Programs

Have questions about this course or a program?

Speak to one of our admissions specialists.