FAQs

Who is eligible to participate in a Harman Writer-In-Residence course?

Baruch College students with a strong interest in creative writing and an above-average academic record are eligible to participate in the Harman Writer-in-Residence program. Macaulay Honors College students from outside Baruch may also apply, although places for outside candidates are limited.

What courses are offered?

Harman courses vary in numbering and in subject, depending on the choice of the visiting writer. Crossing diverse genre, Harman workshops include: fiction writing, creative non-fiction writing, poetry, play writing, and journalism and the literary imagination. There is only one section offered per semester, with a maximum enrollment of 18 students. The class usually meets on Wednesday afternoons for three hours. All workshops are three-credit courses.

May a student take more than one Harman course?

Students are not prevented from taking more than one Harman course; however, acceptance into each semester’s workshop requires submitting a new portfolio to the program director. The goal is to allow as many different qualified students as possible to enroll in Harman courses.

How should I begin the application process?

Interested students of all majors are encouraged to submit applications midway through the semester prior to the one in which they wish to enroll. Please fill out and submit the online application, which will explain additional requirements (cover letter, writing samples, etc.).

Will Harman course credits count towards my major, minor or as honors credit?

Harman classes can be taken for honors credit and students can use the Harman courses to fulfill their honors course requirements. The courses can also be applied to the English major and minor and to the journalism major and minor (in both journalism and creative writing and business journalism). For students of other majors and minors, the courses count as liberal arts electives.

What benefits do students receive from a Harman Writer-in-Residence course on their resume or with relevance to their future writing careers?

Throughout the course, students receive hands-on advice from course instructors, constructive criticism from their peers, and networking opportunities with published authors.

For more information:

Professor Esther Allen, director of the Harman program
Esther.Allen@baruch.cuny.edu

Visit Baruch College’s Digital Media Library to watch full readings by Harman Writers-In-Residence.