JCU Logo

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "CW/DJRN 346"
COURSE NAME: "Creative Writing Workshop: Travel Writing"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2018
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Andrea di Robilant
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 3:00-4:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: EN110 with a grade of C or above
OFFICE HOURS: M-W By appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This creative nonfiction workshop explores the long tradition of travel writing, fostered by the keen observation and thoughtful documentation of landscape and culture that travel inspires. Students will gain exposure to several subgenres encompassed by the term travel writing including, but not limited to, the travel memoir, the travel essay, guidebooks, and food and humor pieces that tandem as travel writing. The course offers instruction in the research and mechanics of travel writing aimed at the generation of articles and essays for newspapers, magazines, guidebooks, the Internet, as well as how to begin drafting ideas for longer-form works.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
The course is divided in two parts: a reading part, which will require critical reading of travel writers past and present who have written about Italy, and a writing part, which will require students to produce a series of travel pieces drawn from direct experiences in Rome and/or other parts of Italy. The reading assignments will include travel writing by W. Goethe, Henry James, D.H. Lawrence, Norman Lewis, Jan Morris, Joseph Brodsky, Tim Parks and others.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
At the end of the course, students will be familiar with a substantial body of travel literature related to Italy. They will also have had considerable experience in the field, researching/reporting their own travel pieces. The aim is not only to learn specific techniques of travel writing but also to acquire a personal style and an authorial voice that will in turn give the student confidence and a sense of his/her own proficiency in this particular genre of writing.
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Short paper (3) 40%
Long Paper 40%
Participation 20%
   
   
   

-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 c
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:
Attendance is required and class participation will be a part of the grade
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

Reading/Writing assignments

Week 1

Intro/ Paper1 

Week 2

Goethe/ Paper 1

Week 3

James/Paper 1

Week 4

D.H Lawrence/Paper 2

Week 5

Jan Morris/Paper 2

Week 6

Norman Lewis/ Paper  2

Week 7

Tim Parks/ Long Paper

Week 8

Contemporary magazine travel pieces/ Long paper

Week 9

Contemporary magazine travel pieces/Long paper

Week 10

Contemporary magazine travel pieces/Long paper

Week 11

Contemporary magazine travel pieces/Long paper

Week 12

Contemporary magazine travel pieces/Long paper