Calumet College of St.
Joseph
SYLLABUS FOR
INTRODUCTION TO CREATIVE WRITING
Term: Summer 2002 (April 29-Aug. 9)
Course Number: ENG 430X
Instructor:
Connie Wachala
Office
Phone: 219-473-4353
E-mail: csowa@jorsm.com
Home
Phone: 219-922-8185
Office
Hours:
Wednesdays 5-7 p.m.
Course
Time: Wednesday, 7-10 p.m.
Study
of the fundamentals of good writing in a variety of genres (may include
fiction, non-fiction, poetry, drama).
Focus on the connection between reading and writing. Analysis of professional
and student writing.
Prerequisites: ENG 103-104
Textbooks: Dinner
at the Homesick Restaurant, Anne Tyler
Statement
of Plagiarism:
If an instructor or other Calumet College of St.
Joseph personnel finds that a student has plagiarized or been involved in
another form of academic dishonesty, the instructor or other personnel may
elect to bring the matter up for judicial review. The maximum penalty for any
form of academic dishonesty is dismissal from the College. The procedures for
judicial review are listed under the section of CCSJ handbook that addresses
student grievances.
Withdrawal
from Classes:
After the last day for class changes has passed
(see College calendar), students may withdraw from a course in which they are registered
with permission from the faculty member conducting the course. A written
request detailing the reason(s) for the withdrawal must be filed with the
Registrar. Written request for withdrawal must be received by the Registrar by
the last day of classes prior to the final examination dates specified in the
catalogue. Written requests may be mailed to the Registrar or faxed to the
College fax number 219-473-4259. Students are to make note of the refund
schedule when withdrawing from courses. The request is forwarded to the faculty
member, who makes the final determination to accept or deny the request. If the
request is honored, the student will receive notification of official
withdrawal; if denied, the notification will indicate why the withdrawal is
disallowed. Note: Degree Completion Division (DCD) students should consult the
DCD Student Handbook for information on DCD withdrawals.
An official withdrawal is recorded as a
"W" grade on the student's transcript. Dropping a
course without written permission automatically
incurs an "F" grade for the course (see
Refund Schedule).
Class
Policy on Attendance: In accordance with English program
policy, any student missing more than nine (9) hours of class will receive an
F. These nine hours include both excused and unexcused absences. Please be
aware these hours include birthdays, sports events, illness, work, etc. If a
problem arises with your absences, please come and talk to me immediately.
Class
Policy For Assignments: All assignments must be handed in on
time. Late papers will adversely affect the student’s grade. I will not accept
late papers the last week of classes.
Course
Objectives:
Students in this course will:
Keep a writer’s journal.
Work on developing a strong, clear voice in
their writing.
Explore their own storytelling capabilities with
the goal of bringing a scene or story to
completion.
Assessment:
Final grades will be based on many things:
a. oral
and written performance in class
b. progress
and improvement in writing as reflected in the student’s portfolio
c. fulfilling
the requirements of each of the assignments
d. quizzes
(if given)
Format
for Written Assignments:
All papers will be/have:
a. typed
b. double-space
c. one
inch margins
d. stapled
or paper clipped together
Class
Participation:
The class is a workshop. This means what goes on
in class is extremely important. It is absolutely imperative that students
attend all the classes and participate fully in the exercises, as well doing
all the required writing.
Class
Assignments:
Weeks 1-5:
There will be an emphasis on journal writing and
exploration of realistic and dream imagery and narrative movements in assigned
readings, in-class reading, oral telling, in-class writing, and outside writing
assignments. Readings that are heightened examples of the realistic and dream
modes will be selected to be read in class. Students will write their dreams
and journal entries with an emphasis on telling them as effectively and fully
as possible.
Weeks 6-10:
Emphasis on reading published work and student
work in class. Discussion of elements
of story: characterization, plot, conflict, setting, point of view, etc. Students will see a video adapted from a
short story and comment on the differences and similarities, the problems that
must be solved by a writer versus a filmmaker.
Specific writing assignments will be made to heighten an aspect of
storytelling (e.g., opposite—point of view; monster telling—exaggeration and
sense of drama; folktale—plot
movement).
Weeks 11-15:
There will be a move toward adapting the raw
material from one’s life or one’s journal into fiction. We will read examples
from writers who address this process (Tobias Wolff, Alice Walker, and Patricia
Hampl). Students will be guided toward
noticing and discussing how other writers mold their experiences into the
“stuff” of fiction. The final emphasis will be to have each student explore
his/her own storytelling capabilities with the goal of bringing a scene or
telling to completion and possibly submitting it for publication.