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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "CW 205-2"
COURSE NAME: "Creative Writing Workshop: Mixed Genre"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall 2023
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
William Schutt
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
TTH 6:00 PM 7:15 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 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.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
The course is made up of workshops, discussions of short readings, and in-class writing exercises. We might also take excursions to literary events in Rome. Readings will provide models for the writing assignments and foundations for discussion of literary craft. They will also serve as an introduction to modern and contemporary fiction and poetry. Workshops help students develop critical thinking and editorial skills, consider the strengths and weakness of their own writing, and expand their understanding of writing as a process of drafting and revision.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon completion of this course, students will become familiar with writing techniques specific to the making of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. Students will develop healthy writing habits as they study good journaling and revision practices and strategies for tackling the blank page. They’ll learn how to read their own work and the work of their peers with a critical eye, and how to give and receive constructive feedback. They’ll expand their imaginative reach and editorial skillset. And they’ll broaden their knowledge of the foundations of three different genres of writing.
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TEXTBOOK:
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Class participation | Regular constructive feedback (oral and written) on classmates' work that demonstrates preparation, thoughtfulness, and respect. | 20 |
| Midterm portfolio | A collection of creative work produced by the halfway point. The midterm portfolio must include at least two drafts that reflect thoughtful revision based on comments received from classmates and the professor. | 20 |
| Final Portfolio | A final collection of work produced over the semester. The final portfolio must include an author's statement reflecting on the student's creative process and progress and at least two drafts from the second half of the term that reflect thoughtfulness, creativity, and revision based on comments received from classmates and the professor. | 60 |
-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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Session
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Session Focus
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Reading Assignment
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Other Assignment
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Meeting Place/Exam Dates
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Week 1
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Introduction to Creative Writing and Good Writing Practices
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TBA: Handouts
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Week 2
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SHORT FICTION:Character / Point of View
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TBA: Character/Plot Packet (Handout)
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Fiction Ex.
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Week 3
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SHORT FICTION:Dialogue / Subtext, Workshop 1
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TBA: POV Packet (Handout)
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Fiction Ex.
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Week 4
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SHORT FICTION:Narrative Time: Linear Stories, Workshop 2
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TBA: Time Packet (Handout)
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Fiction Ex.
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Week 5
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SHORT FICTION:Narrative Time 2: Modular Stories, Workshop 3
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TBA: Setting Packet (Handout)
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Fiction Ex.
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Week 6
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POETRY:Introduction to Poetry/ Methods of Achieving Intimacy in Poems/Diction & Voice
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TBA: Voice Packet (Handout)
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Week 7
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POETRY:Lines and Stanzas, Workshop 1
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TBA: Line Packet (Handout)
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Poem 1
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Week 8
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POETRY: Images and Metaphors, Workshop 2
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TBA: Image Packet (Handout)
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Poem 2
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Week 9
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POETRY: Received Forms 1, Workshop 3
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TBA: Form Packet (Handout)
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Poem 3
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Week 10
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POETRY: Received Forms 2, Workshop 4
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TBA: Form 2 Packet (Handout)
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MIDTERM PORTFOLIO DUE
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Week 11
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CREATIVE NONFIC: Introduction to Creative Nonfiction / Lyric Essay
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TBA: Lyric Essay Packet (Handout)
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Week 12
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CREATIVE NONFIC: Portrait Essay, workshop 1
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TBA: Portrait Essay Packet (Handout)
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Lyric Essay Ex.
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Week 13
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CREATIVE NONFICTION:Personal Essay, workshop 2
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TBA: Personal Essay Packet 1 (Handout)
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Portrait Essay Ex.
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Week 14
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CREATIVE NONFICTION:Personal Essay continued, workshop 3
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TBA: Personal Essay Packet 2 (Handout)
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Personal Essay Ex.
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Week 15
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CREATIVE NONFICTION:Student Readings, Conclusions
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None
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FINAL PORTFOLIO DUE
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