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New School Creative Writing MFA program theses

 Collection
Identifier: NS-02-04-04

Abstract

This record group contains theses in print and electronic formats submitted to the MFA Writing Program as part of graduation requirements. The program's four concentrations -- fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and writing for children -- are represented. Many of the theses consist of two parts, a work in the student's concentration and a project for which the student conducted scholarly research. Electronic theses begin with the class of 2015.

Dates

  • 1998 - 2015
  • Majority of material found within 2006 - 2011

Creator

Extent

27.4 Cubic Feet (21 records cartons)

.19 Gigabytes

Scope and Content of Collection

This record group is comprised of theses in print and electronic formats submitted to the MFA Writing Program as part of graduation requirements. The program's four concentrations -- fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and writing for children -- are represented. Many of the theses consist of two parts, a work reflecting the student's concentration and a "literature project" for which the student conducted scholarly, analytical research.

While printed and bound theses date back to 1998, only the years 2006 and 2008 through 2011 are well-represented in print theses. Some information may be incomplete as thesis cover pages may be unsigned by the advisor, or the advisor's signature is illegible. The collection inventory should not be considered a definitive list of all program graduates for a particular year. For confirmation of graduation, it is necessary to verify with the university's Office of the Registrar. As of 2015, The New School Archives staff has not reconciled this guide's inventory with official graduation rosters. Please alert the New School Archives to any inaccuracies.

Electronic theses begin with the class of 2015. These theses were submitted directly by students to The New School Archives. Some students chose not to place their thesis with The New School Archives. Therefore, even more current years should not be considered a complete roster of all graduating student work.

Language of Materials

All theses are in English.

Access Restrictions

Most of the collection is open for research use. Please contact archivist@newschool.edu for appointment. In certain instances for 2015 theses, authors have requested that their theses not be made available online for one year after the date of submission, but have indicated that their theses may be viewed onsite in the New School Archives. In other instances, authors have opted to make their theses unavailable for viewing until one year from the date of submission.

Use Restrictions

In accordance with The New School's Intellectual Property Rights Policy, copyright is held by each thesis' respective author. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the user.

Historical Note

The New School established a Master's in Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing in 1996. The Graduate Writing Program, as it was called in literature produced by The New School, is situated in the Schools of Public Engagement, formerly known as the Adult Division, the "founding" division of the New School for Social Research as it was conceived in 1919. Designed as a full-time, four semester program, classes are taught by working writers.

Organization and Arrangement

Theses are organized chronologically by year of completion, and within each year by specialization. Within each specialization, theses are arranged in alphabetical order by author surname.

Custodial History

Prior to transfer to the New School Archives, program administrators collected print theses and housed them in the offices of The New School Writing Program.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Theses in printed, bound format transferred from The New School Writing Program offices to The New School Archives and Special Collections, 2015. Theses in electronic format submitted directly by students to The New School Archives and Special Collections.

Accruals

Further accruals expected.

Related Materials

The New School Chapbook Series publishes the best of The New School Writing Program's graduate work through an annual chapbook competition. Each genre taught in the program is represented, resulting in four chapbooks published annually: Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, and Writing for Children. These chapbooks represent a broader timespan than the theses represented in this record group. Selected chapbooks are available through the New School Libraries.

Processing Information

Author and advisor names, titles, and dates herein have been copied directly as they appear on spine labels and title pages of theses submitted on paper. Researchers are cautioned that dates on the spine labels may not accurately reflect the year of graduation, and should not be used as definitive proof of completion of graduation requirements.

Students provided all information for theses submitted electronically to the New School Archives.

Title
Guide to the New School Creative Writing (MFA) Program theses
Status
Completed
Author
New School Archives and Special Collections Staff
Date
January 9, 2017
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Revision Statements

  • February 5, 2020: New School Archives staff updated collection inventory and extent to reflect deaccessioning of thesis upon student request.