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CONTACT
(General Information)
Hollins University
Graduate Center
P.O. Box 9603
Roanoke, VA 24020-1603
(540) 362-6575
Fax (540) 362-6288
hugrad@hollins.edu

Children's Literature Program Director
Amanda Cockrell
(540) 362-6575
acockrell@hollins.edu

Children's Literature

Details

Writer-in-Residence and Guest Lecturers

A distinguished writer or other artist is in residence for part of each term. In Summer 2009 our writer in residence will be Liz Rosenberg, author of Seventeen, Monster Mama, The Carousel, and On Christmas Eve, and as well as novels, essays, and poetry for adults. She will visit creative writing workshops, and also meet individually with students.
   In 2008 our writer-in-residence was Nancy Willard, Newbery Award-winning author of A Visit to William Blake's Inn, as well as numerous other children's books including Pish-Posh Said Hieronymus Bosch, The Nightgown of the Sullen Moon, the Sorcerer’s Apprentice, The Tale I Told Sasha, The Tortilla Cat, and Shadow Story, as well as novels, essays, and poetry for adults.
   
In addition, each summer Hollins hosts a series of lectures and readings. Past visiting authors and scholars have included Eleanor Cameron, Lucille Clifton, Jamila Gavin, Peter Hunt, Alison Lurie, Leonard Marcus, Roderick McGillis, Claudia Mills, Philip Nel, Perry Nodelman, William Jay Smith, and Jack Zipes.
   In 2009 our keynote speaker at the annual Francelia Butler Conference will be Maria Tatar, author of The Hard Facts of the Grimms’ Fairy Tales; Off With Their Heads! Fairy Tales and the Culture of Childhood; The Classic Fairy Tales Norton Critical edition; and numerous other works on folk and fairy tales.


Fees and Financial Aid

Student/Faculty Gathering Tuition for the 2010 summer term is $645 per credit hour. Hollins may offer partial tuition remission to certain qualified students, and student loans are also available. To apply, applicants should indicate their financial need on the application for admission. There is also a $40 nonrefundable processing fee.
   New students must pay a nonrefundable deposit of $400 by March 1. If a new student is accepted after March 1, this $400 deposit will be required within two weeks of their acceptance. Returning students must pay a nonrefundable deposit of $200 by May 15. All deposits will be credited toward summer tuition charges.

Photo: There are plenty of opportunities for social events with students and faculty.


Housing

Housing is available for 2010 in student apartments (private bedroom with shared living room, kitchen, and bath) or in dormitory rooms (communal kitchen and one bath per hall). The cost is $920 for the six-week term.


Degree Requirements

Forty-eight credits are required for the M.F.A. degree. Each student will undertake ten 4-credit courses and a thesis (8 credits). Four of the courses undertaken must be literature courses, which include writing critical papers. The thesis offered for the degree will consist of a booklength original work in poetry, fiction, or drama for children.

Forty credits are required for the M.A. degree. Each student will undertake eight 4-credit courses and a thesis (8 credits). Students must demonstrate proficiency in reading a foreign language. At least half of the courses undertaken must be literature courses, which include writing critical papers. The thesis offered for the degree may consist of an original work in poetry, fiction, or drama for children, or an extended critical essay.


Independent Study

A student may complete up to eight Hollins credits in independent study and/or eight online credits outside the summer terms. At least 16 credits must be completed on campus.


Francelia Butler Conference

Each year students participate in the Francelia Butler Conference on Children's Literature, named for the founding editor of the journal Children's Literature, now edited at Hollins. The Butler Conference is entirely student-run, presenting the best critical and creative work of the summer, chosen by a student conference committee. A highlight is the presentation of the Shirley Henn Awards for creative achievement and critical scholarship.


Recent Graduates' Thesis Projects

M.F.A. students present a full-length work of literature for children as their final project. M.A. students may present a creative work or a work of scholarly exploration. Here are the thesis projects of our most recent graduates.

Lecture Series

Visiting lecturers have included such scholars and writers as:

Eleanor Cameron, award-winning author of The Seed and the Vision; A Room Made of Windows.
Lucille Clifton, poet, novelist, author of the Everett Anderson books.
Alison Lurie, Pulitzer Prize-winning writer and critic, author of Clever Gretchen and Other Forgotten Folktales and Don't Tell the Grownups: Subversive Children's Literature.
Perry Nodelman, author of Words About Pictures and The Pleasures of Children's Literature.
Osayimwense Osas, editor of The Journal of African Children's and Youth Literature.
William Jay Smith, author of many books of poetry for children, including Laughing Time: Collected Nonsense.
Nancy Willard, poet, novelist, and Newbery Medal winner for A Visit to William Blake's Inn
Jack Zipes, author of Don't Bet on the Prince and Spells of Enchantment.


Library

Books and papers of poet William Jay Smith and children’s editor Barbara Lucas are recent additions to the notable collection of children’s books donated by Francelia Butler, former editor-in-chief of Children’s Literature, the field’s leading scholarly journal. In 1992, Butler moved the editorship to Hollins in recognition of Hollins’ longtime commitment to the writing and study of children’s literature and the reputation of the Hollins program in English and creative writing. The library also possesses many original papers and manuscripts of Margaret Wise Brown.


FAQs

Q: Do I need to send my GRE scores?
A: GRE scores are not required, but may be submitted.

Q: I didn't see a letter of recommendation form. Did I miss it?
A: We do not have a form for letters of recommendation. Just have your referees write a letter.

Q: I need financial aid. How do I apply for it?
A: We offer student loans and some need-based grants. To apply, complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), found online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. Wait a few weeks for the paperwork to clear, and then contact our Office of Scholarships and Financial Assistance at (540) 362-6332 or sfa@hollins.edu to follow-up on the paperwork.

Q: What kind of writing sample do I need to send?
A: If you are an M.F.A. applicant, send 10-20 pages of your best creative work.

A: If you are an M.A. applicant, send 10-20 pages of your best creative or scholarly work:

  • Poetry
  • Fiction
  • Creative non-fiction
  • Scholarly essay
  • Or an amalgam thereof (not to exceed 30 pages total)

Checklist of Items to be Submitted:
  • Application for Admission
  • Nonrefundable processing fee
  • Statement of purpose
  • Writing sample
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Transcripts of all undergraduate work
  • Transcripts of any graduate work

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Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick
Blakes Inn
Storytelling Performance
Francelia Butler Conference
06/22/09