Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "CW 205"
COURSE NAME: "Creative Writing Workshop: Mixed Genre"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2021

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Elizabeth Geoghegan
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 4:30-5:45 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:

Classes move between writing workshops and peer reviews, traditional lectures, discussions of the assigned readings, in-class writing exercises and, when possible, occasional class outings to literary events around the city. Readings will correspond to the specific genres and topics covered and will help create a foundation for the writing assignments themselves. Dedicated to the philosophy that all writing benefits from careful critique and thoughtful revision, the workshops will help students develop critical thinking and editorial skills, while fostering an aesthetic sensibility about their own writing, the writing of their peers, and ultimately a more thorough understanding of creative writing in its various forms.

NB: There is no textbook for this class; required readings will be provided via MOODLE. Students will be required to PRINT and bring assignments to class.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon completion of this course, students will be familiar with the writing techniques employed to generate ideas and produce their own works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, drama and/or screenwriting. Students will also have had exposure to the practice of daily writing and gained writing experience, as well as the editorial skills necessary to offer critique during peer reviews, and to self-edit when taking their own work through various stages of revision. In addition, students will have gained exposure to fine examples of creative writing in its different forms and had an opportunity to develop their own unique voices as writers, gain confidence through the development of technical skills and practical hands-on writing experience.

TEXTBOOK:

NONE

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
Weekly Writing, Reading, and Presentation Assignments	Detailed weekly assignments will be given in class. Students will be expected to meet deadlines and produce drafts (whether fiction, nonfiction, poetry, etc.) that meet the assigned word or page count. Students must provide printed copies of their work for peer reviews; drafts will be revised for the midterm and final portfolios.	60%
Participation & Conscientiousness of in-and-out of class peer reviews	Participation is of the utmost importance. Students are required to participate not only in daily discussions about the readings, but to offer considered and thoughtful critique during the workshops with the aim of helping to improve each writer's unique style and capacity.	15%
Conscientiousness of self-editing	Students are required to revise their work over the course of several drafts. Final Portfolios must include a process analysis for each piece, detailing the editing choices made.	15%
Homework, Quizzes & In-class Writing	A section of the overall assessment will include quizzes on the readings, written homework assignments and/or reader responses to the assigned readings, as well as in-class writing prompts that will be ungraded but compulsory.	10%

-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 course.
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 REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period is mandatory and will be used for final critiques.

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

NB: THIS IS A SAMPLE WEEKLY OVERVIEW & SUBJECT TO CHANGE Date & Topic Covered*	A detailed schedule will be provided the first week of class Readings & Assignments**
Week One Tues Course Intro: Setting as Character	Fiction Writer’s Tool Box; The Short Story Read Microfiction packet (handouts)
Thurs Microfiction	Readings TBA
Week Two: Tues Narration & Voice	Readings TBA
Thurs Workshop	Snapshot Due (See Guidelines); bring copies
Week Three: Tues Workshop	Read & prepare critiques for the snapshots – bring to class with oral & annotated comments ready
Thurs Workshop	Read & prepare critiques for the snapshots – bring to class with oral & annotated comments ready
Week Four: Tues: Setting & Characterization / Setting AS Characterization	Reading TBA
Thurs: Incorporating details & gestures in your work	Read & be prepared to discuss: Short Stories TBA
Week Five: Stories Due Structuring your story Tues Workshop	Short Stories Due
Thurs Workshop	Read & prepare peer reviews (critiques) for workshop
Week Six: Dialogue Tues Workshop	Read & prepare peer reviews (critiques) for workshop
Thurs Workshop	Read & prepare peer reviews for workshop
Week Seven:Creative Nonfiction Tues: Being the Protagonist in your own work	Read & be prepared to discuss: Essays TBA
Thurs Details in Nonfiction; choosing which story to tell	Read & be prepared to discuss: Essays TBA
Week Eight: Tues Workshop	Read & be prepared to discuss: Essays TBA
Thurs Workshop	Vignette due; bring copies (See Guidelines)
Week Nine: Tues Workshop Thurs Midterm Portfolios Due	Read & be prepared to discuss: Essays TBA
Week Ten: Tues Personal Essay Due; Workshop Thurs Workshop	Read & prepare critique

Week Eleven Workshop	Read & prepare critiques
WedWorkshop	Read & prepare critiques
Week Twelve Tues Intro to Poetry	Read & be prepared to discuss: Poems TBA Read & prepare critiques
Thurs	Read & prepare critiques
Week Thirteen Tues Poem #1 due; Workshop	Read & be prepared to discuss: Poems TBA
Thurs Workshop	Read & prepare critiques for the poems
Week Fourteen: Poem #2 due Tues Workshop	Poem #2 due Read & prepare critiques for the poems
WedWorkshop	Read & prepare critiques for the poems
Week Fifteen Poem #3 Due Workshop & Final Q&A for Portfolios
LAST CLASS PORTFOLIOS DUE EXAM PERIOD TBA	No exam for this class; No late portfolios will be accepted. No exception.Portfolios will be submitted electronically. We will meet during final exam and do a reading and final critique session