Stein Visiting Writers

Each year, the Creative Writing Program welcomes a distinguished writer to teach a Stanford writing seminar to undergraduates. These unique classes are kept small--limited to no more than 15 students--and they focus on a subject of the writer’s expertise and choosing. These seminars are made possible with the generous support of Isaac and Madeline Stein.

The writer also holds a public reading and colloquium. For information about events with previous Stein Visiting Writers, refer to our Past Events page.

English 190V How to Steal

• Offered: Spring 2025

• Instructor: Prof. Kushner

• Satisfies the Intermediate/Advanced Prose requirement

• Enrollment granted on priority basis. To be considered for enrollment, please submit the Course Preference Form

This class will focus on the sacred art of stealing from the world around you—from poems, novels, movies, songs, advertisements, horoscopes, graffiti, and other unexpected places. We will read excerpts of American literature by writers such as Eudora Welty, Ralph Ellison, Nathanael West, William Gaddis, Cormac McCarthy, and Denis Johnson, and watch films by Robert Altman, Kent McKenzie, Frederic Wiseman and Barbara Loden. Weekly writing assignments will be inspired by what we read and see.