Course Description:

This creative writing workshop is designed to help students develop their writing and editorial skills, as well as the reading habits necessary for the production of works of creative nonfiction. The class will focus upon the creative process and the generation of several different forms within the nonfiction genre including the personal essay, the memoir, travel writing, and the journalistic or magazine profile. Through the examination of superior examples of creative nonfiction, discussions, and critiques, students will become acquainted with the techniques and tools used to build an excellent portfolio of literary and journalistic pieces within the creative nonfiction genre.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

In the Creative Nonfiction writing workshop, students will develop skills in reading, writing, and engaging critically with nonfiction. The class will consist of student writing workshops, craft seminars, in class writing, and in class reading and analysis of nonfiction technique. Students will engage in the workshop to hone their writing skills, as well as improve their critical reading skills. This class aims to improve student writing and stimulate creative thinking through the crafting and revision of nonfiction prose.

During the class we will focus on four major forms of nonfiction writing: the personal essay, the travel essay, the memoir, and the journalistic profile. We will be reading essays from writers such as Joan Didion, David Foster Wallace, Martin Luther King, Barry Lopez, Nora Ephron, and Susan Sontag. We will be examining what makes those writers' essays succeed, and we will work to make our essays succeed in similar ways. 

Our classroom will be a supportive and respectful creative and critical space in which students can grow as writers and individuals. Active in-class participation in the workshop will be an essential part of the success of this class. Students will gain a heightened awareness of what makes nonfiction writing successful, and they will also develop their own talents through editing, self-editing, and increased conscientiousness of craft. 

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of the class, students will have a deeper understanding of the structure, development, and poetic techniques for a complete and compelling work of nonfiction. Students completing this workshop will produce a portfolio consisting of at least 3 polished essays, along with other shorter micro essays and free-writes. 

TEXTBOOK:

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

ASSESSMENT METHODS:

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
A Work 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.
B This is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluate theory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture and reference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
C This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
D This 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.
F This 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 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.

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.

**weeks with an author’s name will involve writing exercises based on the work of that author