SYLLABUS FOR INTRODUCTION TO CREATIVE WRITINGSYLLABUS FOR INTRODUCTION TO CREATIVE WRITING
Term: Summer, 2000 (993) (May 1 - August 5, 2000)
Course Number: ENG 430X
Instructor: Connie Wachala
Office: Room #525
Office Phone: 219-473-4291
E-mail: csowa@jorsm.com
Home Phone: (optional) Office Hours: By appointment upon request—or ½ hr. before class
Course Time: Wednesday, 7:00 - 10:00p.m.
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 will be emphasized. Analysis of professional and student writing is required.
Prerequisites:
Prerequisites: ENG 103-104
Textbooks: Schultz Writing from Start to Finish
Allende The House of the Spirits
Statement of Plagiarism:
If an instructor or other Calumet College of St. Joseph personnel find 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.
Calumet College of St. Joseph adheres to citation guidelines as written in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Fourth Edition. A copy is available from the Calumet College of St. Joseph bookstore. This text outlines how to cite references from a variety of sources, including electronic media.
Withdrawal from Classes Policy:
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.
Class Policy For Assignments: All assignments will be handed in on time, or if late, with a proper explanation. No more than 20 pages of written work will be accepted the last two weeks of class.
Course Objectives:
Students in this course will:
Keep a 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:
Grading Scale:
A: A-: B+: B: B-: C+:
C: C-: D+: D: D-: F:
Letter grades will be assigned according to the student’s fulfilling the requirements listed above.
Format for Written Assignments:
All papers will be/have:
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:
Class Date Topic-Assignment
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 Hempl). 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.