Why the English Department Focuses More on Critical Works Than Creative Writing

Is the English Department more attached to critical works than creative writing? This question is often misunderstood and rooted in a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of the academic disciplines.

Establishment and Purpose of the Departments

When we consider the structure of academic institutions, we find that the English Department and the Creative Writing Department serve distinctly different purposes. The English Department, which is more associated with critical works, is designed to cultivate an understanding of how literature is constructed, analyzed, and interpreted. Its primary goal is to prepare students to engage in the scholarly examination of literary texts, to develop a critical mindset, and to articulate sophisticated arguments about the meanings, motifs, and techniques present in literature.

Contrast with Creative Writing

On the other hand, the Creative Writing Department, as the term suggests, focuses on the practical and creative aspects of writing. It aims to cultivate the skills necessary to create compelling and engaging literary works. While the English Department may not allocate more credits to critical works, the nature of the discipline inherently requires more emphasis on analysis and critique. This is not a matter of preference, but a necessary aspect of understanding the complexities of literary texts.

Evolution of Creative Writing as a Discipline

Creative writing is a relatively new discipline, both in terms of academic study and in the broader scope of literary practice. It has not yet developed the same frameworks and methodologies as established areas of literary study. Historically, creative writing has been seen more as an art form than a discipline with specific academic norms and standards. This development has led to its current status as a branch that aims to produce and refine creative writing rather than critique.

The academic and critical study of literature, known as literary theory and criticism, has a significant body of established knowledge and methodologies. These help to guide the analysis and interpretation of texts. Creative writing, on the other hand, is still developing and has yet to establish its own reference style. While there are successful authors and writing methods, the academic field has not yet formalized its approach to teaching and assessing creative writing. It is in a period of growth and refinement.

Historical and Structural Context

At a particular university, such as the University of British Columbia (UBC), the two disciplines functioned within two separate departments. This separation reflects the historical development of literature as both a literary and an academic pursuit. The English Department was traditionally part of the classical epic of the humanities, concerned with the critical examination of texts. The Creative Writing Department, emerging later, focused on providing craft-based education for aspiring writers.

This division is not only structural but also philosophical. Each department has a unique approach to teaching and learning. The English Department provides a framework for understanding and analyzing literature, while the Creative Writing Department offers tools and techniques for creating it. Recognizing these distinctions is crucial to understanding the academic landscape of literary studies.

Conclusion

In summary, the English Department and the Creative Writing Department are not in competition or in a position of favoring one over the other. Instead, they serve complementary roles in the academic study of literature. The English Department's focus on critical works is a necessary part of its role in pedagogical and scholarly development. Creative writing, while equally important, is still in the process of establishing its institutional and academic foundations.

Understanding the differences between these disciplines is key to appreciating the breadth and depth of literary studies. Each has its unique value and contributes to the richness of literary analysis and creation.