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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "CW 356"
COURSE NAME: "Creative Writing Workshop: Writing the Eternal City"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Summer Session II 2022
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Nefeli Misuraca
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MTWTH 11:10 AM 1:00 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisite: EN 103 or 105 with grade of C or above
OFFICE HOURS:
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This interdisciplinary writing workshop employs the city of Rome as its muse and offers instruction in several genres of creative writing. By examining a variety of works inspired by the Eternal City, students will learn how to evaluate literature in light of an aesthetic and historic precedent, as well as participate in the long tradition of international writers who have recreated Rome on the page. The course will also problematize Rome, exploring the ancient city’s contemporary contradictions and complexities and the way writers both perpetuate and dismantle certain myths, such as the illusory La Dolce Vita. Writing workshops will acquaint students with the techniques and tools used to critique and incorporate critical feedback into their own revision process. Through studied writing practice and the examination of the Roman setting as a vital literary component, students will generate a final portfolio of textual interpretations in response to the Eternal City.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
Every week will start with the viewing and commentary of one Italian film that best describes a trait of Rome. We will then proceed by visiting the sites of the film and reading short stories that discuss that same trait. From racism and contemporary tensions due to heavy immigration to the ever-present past of the horrors of the second world war, you will discuss and try to re-write Rome through your very personal eyes.
We will have one workshop a week where you will bring your writing and discuss it with your peers. It is vital that you actively participate in these workshops and share your opinions and suggestions about each other’s writings.
The weekly schedule will therefore set on one film viewing, one or two on-site visits, one or two workshops.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will leave the course knowing how to
- effectively following the 5 stages of the writing process: planning, drafting, revising, editing and proofreading
- question, analyze, and improve the quality of their own writing and research methods
- utilizing advanced writing strategies
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Rome Tales (City Tales) | Edited by Helen Constantine and Hugh Shankland | Oxford University Press | 9780199572465 | PQ4257.E5 R58 2011 | Available on Amazon | Hard Copy | | |
| The Cambridge Introduction to Narrative | H. Porter Abbott | Cambridge University Press | 9781108823357 | PN3383.N35 A23 2008 | Students don't need to buy it as I will provide photocopies of relevant pages. | Hard Copy | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Participation and preparation | Active engagement in the class (having prepared for the lesson and contributing to discussions) | 15% |
| Assigned readings and homework | Students will be assigned readings throughout the term and will be required to present their ideas in class. | 10% |
| Peer review | A large portion of the class includes workshops wherein you are responsible for written and oral critique of the work being generated by your colleagues. | 25% |
| Self-editing | A crucial element of writing is learning how and when to approach the editing process. You will be taking your work through various drafts, and this should be evident when you submit revised work. | 10% |
| Writing assignments and final portfolio | Four major writings, one each week:
Underground Rome–literally or metaphorically the Rome of thieves, con-artists or catacombs and subways (10%)
Violent Rome–the Rome of the outskirts and counter-culture (10%)
Social and political Rome–the Rome of immigrants and Rome as melting pot (10%)
Final portfolio: turn your three writings into three interconnected short stories (10%) | 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 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 runs until ____________
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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.
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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.
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SCHEDULE
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Week 1:
Heart of Rome: film viewing I soliti ignoti (Big Deal on Madonna Street) by Mario Monicelli
a. Via delle tre cannelle
b. Monti (via panisperna)
Week 2:
Poor and Violent Rome: Film viewing Accattone by Pier Paolo Pasolini
a. Cemetery Verano
b. Piazza dei Caduti
c. University La Sapienza
Week 3:
Social politics and Rome: Film viewing Rome open city (by Rossellini) and Bicycle Thieves (by De Sica)
a. Porta Portese
b. Garbatella
Week 4:
La Dolce Vita: film viewing La Dolce Vita by Fellini
a. Fontana di Trevi
b. Via Veneto
c. Ossario dei Cappuccini
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