Course Description:

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:

Prerequisites: ENG 103-104

Textbooks: Selected Readings and Attendance at Events will be announced in class.

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.

0-3 hours absence—possible 10 points class participation

3-6 hours absence—possible 8.5 points class participation

6-9 hours absence—possible 7 points class participation

Class Policy on 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.

Learning Outcomes/Student Competencies: Students in this course will:

General Competencies:

1. Write coherently and creatively, making conscious and sophisticated stylistic choices in language and structure.

Specific Competencies:

1. Develop a strong clear voice and sense of audience in writing.

2. Develop content, point of view and multiple techniques in writing.

3. Write in diverse genres and forms (e.g., poetry, prose)

Assessment:

a. attendance/participation 10%

b. reading assignments (class discussion and quizzes) 10%

c. progress and improvement in writing as reflected in the student’s portfolio 80%

Total 100%

Format for Written Assignments:

All papers will be typed double-spaced, with one-inch margins. Each assignment should be stapled or paper clipped.

Grading Scale:

A: 93-100 A-: 90-92 B+: 88-89 B: 83-86 B-: 80-82 C+: 78-79

C: 73-77 C-: 70-72 D+: 68-69 D: 63-67 D-: 60-62 F: below 60

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 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; folk tale—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.

ENGL 430

Syllabus

Week 1: Concentration on journals and dreams.

Aug. 31 For next week: Complete and type in-class writing. (All weekly assignments

should be a minimum of 3 pages.) Write and type up a dreamed dream.

Week 2: Hand in typed assignment and dream. Bring journal to class.

Sept. 7 Work on exaggeration and comparisons.

For next week: Complete and type in-class writing.

Week 3: Hand in typed assignment. Bring journal to class.
Sept. 14 Work on dialogue.

For next week: Complete and type in-class writing.

Write and type an overheard conversation

Week 4: Hand in typed assignment. Bring journal to class.

Sept. 21 Work with gestures. Extended recall/comment.

For next week: Complete and type in-class writing.

Tuesday

Sept. 27 Against the Grain publication party, 7:30 p.m., Room 200

Week 5: Hand in typed assignment. Bring journal to class.

Sept. 28 Work on sensory detail.

For next week: Complete and type in-class writing.

Week 6: Hand in typed assignment. Bring journal to class.

Oct. 5 Work on “monster” story.

For next week: Complete and type in-class writing.

Week 7: Hand in typed assignment (monster story).

Oct. 12 For next week: Complete and type in-class writing

Monday

Oct. 17 Author’s Night: Region Writers, 7:30 p.m. Room 200

Week 8: Hand in typed assignment. Work on “opposite” story.

Oct. 19 For next week: Read handout of short story

Complete and type in-class writing

Week 9: Hand in typed assignment (opposite).

Oct. 26 View video teleplay based on short story. Discuss differences between

video and written story.

For next week: Complete and type a one-act play.

Week 10: Hand in typed assignment (a one-act play).

Nov. 2 Work on developing your story.

For next week: Complete and type in-class writing.

Week 11: Hand in typed assignment (a first draft of your story).

Nov. 9 Work on developing and editing your story.

For next week: Complete and type expansion/revision of your story.

Week 12: Hand in typed assignment (revision.)

Nov. 16 Work on rewriting or create a new story.

For next week: Complete and type revision, or draft of new story.

Wednesday Author’s Night, Mystery writer Sandra Tooley, 7:30 p.m., Room 200

Nov. 16

Week 13: Day before Thanksgiving (no class)

Nov. 23

Week 14: Hand in typed assignment (final version of story).

Nov. 30 For next week: complete and type revision of anything you want to work on.

Week 15: Exam week

Dec. 7