Good news for the Dutch Language
In conversation with Jacqueline Bel Professor of Modern Dutch Literature
Jacqueline Bel is deeply concerned about the misconceptions surrounding Dutch as a subject. That is why she is so pleased with the new three-year course in Creative Writing in Dutch, which students will be able to choose at VU Amsterdam in the next academic year. "The world is largely built on the power of stories. Look at politics, the courtroom, psychology. Writing and telling stories is important everywhere, especially in literature."
Popular minors
Jacqueline Bel is an enthusiastic storyteller who can't say enough about her love for reading, storytelling, the enormous richness of Dutch literature and its enduring relevance. Bel: “Creative Writing has been a well-established concept in the Anglo-Saxon world for years, but the bachelor's programme at VU Amsterdam is the first three-year programme at the university level in the Netherlands. A significant reason to begin this is the enormous success of the two minors De Schrijfacademie (The Writing Academy) and Aan de slag met Literatuur (Getting Started with Literature). Creative writing is central to these minors, but students are also required to study a great deal of literature. And to our great delight, they love it. A math student told me that he never used to read books and now he reads five in a week. That is, of course, wonderful – the enthusiasm and also the awareness that by reading a great deal of literature, you not only see how inspiring literature is, but you also become much better at writing.”
From screenwriting to spoken word
The three-year bachelor's programme is part of the broad bachelor's programme in Literature and Society. Subjects such as philosophy, history of science, and academic skills are therefore part of the curriculum. In addition, students take more literary courses such as literary studies, stylistics, rhetoric and, of course, courses on Dutch literary history. “Of course, our students must be well informed about the richness of our Dutch literature, from Carry van Bruggen to Couperus, from Babs Gons to Bordewijk.”
"These guest appearances and masterclasses are so incredibly inspiring for students.”
Teaching the core subjects of the Creative Writing track involves ever-changing writers. Not only the annual writer in residence – this academic year, Nina Polak – but also masterclasses by poets, (script) writers, podcast creators, publishers, journalists and spoken word artists. “These guest appearances and masterclasses are so incredibly inspiring for students; they make the sacred fire burn even stronger.”
Possibilities after the study
According to Jacqueline, the great advantage of this broad programme lies in the possibilities after graduation. “You can go in different directions with it. Of course, you can become a writer or poet, but with an additional minor, you can go into journalism.”
The programme also provides access to the master's programme in Dutch Literature and the literary field, opening up the possibility of a career in publishing. Excellent students can follow a research master's programme.
"Writing and telling stories is important everywhere, especially in literature."
Jacqueline Bel has high expectations of students who choose the educational master's programme that prepares them for teaching Dutch at the first-degree level. “These will be very special teachers, not only because they know a great deal about literature themselves, but because they know how to make literature attractive to young readers. Teachers who can convey that enthusiasm. We really need those people.”
About Jacqueline Bel
Jacqueline Bel is Professor of Modern Dutch Literature at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. She holds the Multatuli Chair and specialises in literature from the fin de siècle, the first half of the 20th century, the two World Wars and (post)colonial literature. She is also chairman of the J.I. de Haan Society, jury member of the Henriette Roland Holst Prize and the Charlotte Köhler Prize. She has authored works such as Bloed en rozen (Blood and Roses), a literary cultural history from 1900 to 1945.
magazine for humanities alumni december 2023