"I write entirely to find out what I'm thinking, what I'm looking at, what I see and what it means. What I want and what I fear." —Joan Didion
LSWA offers a variety of writing courses that are taught in the residence hall, providing a shared and interactive learning experience with other LSWA students. Through a partnership with the Sweetland Center for Writing, writing faculty teach introductory writing and humanities courses; the small classes offer much student-faculty interaction. In addition, classes are enriched by various writing-related events and activities offered throughout the year. These include book clubs, author readings, spoken word poetry workshops, screenwriting seminars, Writers-Artists In Residence, and the Arts & Literary Journal.
Writing Courses
This course prepares students for college-level writing in all academic areas. LSWA 125 courses are special in that they integrate the arts into the curriculum. Each course is structured differently around unique themes. Some instructors use traditional essays and assignments, but most offer a combination of fiction and creative non-fiction. Frequently instructors will encourage or require students to attend special events such as readings, lectures, art exhibit openings, writers' panels, and theatrical or musical performances. (Satisfies LSA First-Year Writing Requirement.)
This course explores multiple genres of writing and asks students to analyze and evaluate the particular conventions, contexts, and assumptions that come with different kinds of writing. The course obviously cannot provide a definitive answer to the question "What Is Writing?" but it explores how our understanding of a particular genre influences the way we read or write within the genre. It also compares different genres to show not only what is unique to but also what is universal among various kinds of writing. (Satisfies LSA Humanities requirement).
This LSWA course integrates writing and the arts as students develop their creative talents and skills and work together on a culminating project/performance. The course focuses on creative skill-building and peer critiquing, requiring both individual and collaborative work. (Satisfies LSA Creative Expression and a Minor in Writing requirement.)
The LSWA Writing Center
LSWA offers the Peer Writing Center, a satellite office of the Sweetland Center for Writing, staffed by well-trained undergraduate Peer Writing Consultants who help students with their writing on a walk-in basis. The Peer Writing Center, housed in Alice Lloyd Hall, gives students an opportunity to get help on their writing assignments at any stage of their revision. Hours for the Center are 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm Sunday through Wednesday, as well as by appointment.
For more information on the Sweetland Center for Writing (Sweetland) click here.
Arts & Literary Journal
You've just written an inspiring poem. Your writing instructor loved your last personal essay on chopsticks. You've finally finished your first painting for your art class... and it isn't half-bad! What do you do next? Stuff it into a drawer, forget all about it? How about getting it published in the LSWA Literary and Art Journal?
The LSWA Journal is an annual student publication. Each year, students submit their favorite work to be shared with their peers, as well as other members of the U-M community. Students may submit both art and writing. Submissions are competitive and judged blind.
Caldwell Poetry Awards
Established in 2006 through a generous gift of Jeanne and Will M. Caldwell to the College of LSA, this prize is awarded each year to first- and second-year students of the Lloyd Scholars of Writing and the Arts.
