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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "CW 205"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Creative Writing"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2018
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: George Minot
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 3:00-4:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: EN 103 or 105 with grade of C or above
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course provides an introduction to the creative practice of writing fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and stage/screen writing, while probing major issues of literary aesthetics. This course does not satisfy the General Distribution requirement in English Literature.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course presents opportunities for creative writing, while probing major issues of literary aesthetics.



For each class students will read about and write short fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry, and drama.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
At the conclusion of this course students will be familiar with the skills needed to produce literary fiction, nonfiction, and drama; have the ability to self-edit work in progress; and be able to discern the qualities that make good, literary fiction, nonfiction and drama.
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Students will be assessed on their attendance, participation, and conscientious reading of assigned materials. 20
Conscientiousness of self-editing. 20
Criticism/editing of classmates' work. 20
Final portfolio of work. 40
 Students will be assessed on their attendance (10%), participation (10%), conscientiousness of self-editing (20%), criticism/editing of classmates' work (20%), and final portfolio of work (40%).  

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the cour
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Students are required to attend all scheduled class meetings and to participate in all classroom activities. In addition to this weighting of attendance, students are allowed only two absences (no questions asked, no excuse needed). However, each additional absence beyond the two allowed will result in the reduction in the final grade for the course by 5%. Students with more than five absences, in addition to the two allowed absences, will automatically fail the course (receive a grade of F). Student arriving at class after the class attendance has been taken will be counted as absent. Students arriving to class after the beginning of class, but before attendance has been taken, will be counted as late. Two late arrivals will count as an absence. Students may also be required to attend literary events held at JCU. Students may be required to attend a limited number of literary events held at JCU. These required events will be announced in class. Please refer to the JCU catalog for the attendance and absence policies.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE









Readings from Starkey textbook - Creative Writing



For every class a reading and writing assignment, and readings and discussions of them, based on current area:







Week 1  Read Introduction, in-class writing exercise



Week 2  Read drama chapter. Develop written text: varied points of view. Dialogue



Week 3  Fiction - readings, writing assignments. Detail. Setting.



Week 4  Fiction  - further reading, writing. Chracter. Voice, Tone



Week 5  Fiction - plot, structure



Week 6  Poetry - learning and attemping various forms



Week 7  Poetry - forms



Week 8  Poetry - forms



Week 9  Nonfiction - distictions between fiction and non-fiction, memoir, reportage, other



Week 10 Nonfiction - con



Week 11  Fiction - continued



Week 12  Fusion of all - students' strengths and weaknesses, choose and refine final pieces



Week 13  Fusion of all -         "                         "



Week 14  Prepare portfolio