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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "CW/JRN 346"
COURSE NAME: "Creative Writing Workshop: Travel Writing"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2014
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Elizabeth Geoghegan
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 4:30 PM 5:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: EN110 with a grade of C or above
OFFICE HOURS: Tuesdays 2-3pm; by appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This creative writing workshop explores the long tradition of travel writing fostered by the keen observation and thoughtful documentation of landscape, culture, and the characters we meet along the way that even the briefest of journeys can inspire. Students will read, analyze, and gain exposure to the several sub-genres of travel literature including -- but not limited to -- the travel essay, memoir, narrative, blog, and guidebook, along with food and humor pieces that tandem as travel writing. The course will offer instruction in the research, mechanics, drafting, and editing of travel pieces with the goal of helping writers find their particular genre, craft their style and voice, and generate works of publishable quality. 




SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

Classes move between writing workshops and peer reviews, traditional lectures, discussions of the assigned readings, in-class writing exercises, and occasional class outings or field trips. Readings will correspond to the genres and topics covered and will help create a foundation for the writing assignments themselves. Assignments will often take students out of the classroom and will connect directly with the course objectives. 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 the various components of travel writing.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students will be familiar with the writing techniques employed when generating ideas and producing their own travel pieces. Students will also have gained writing exposure to the editorial skills necessary to offer critique and self-edit, while taking their own work through various stages of revision.  

TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
The Best Women's Travel Writing: True Stories from Around the World (Vol. 9)Lavinia Spaulding, Ed.Travelers TalesSBN-10: 160952084X     
Lonely Planet A Moveable FeastDon GeorgeLonely PlanetISBN-10: 1742202292     
D. H. Lawrence and Italy: Sketches from Etruscan Places, Sea and Sardinia, Twilight in Italy (Penguin Classics)D H LawrencePenguin Classics; Revised edition (February 26, 2008)ISBN-10: 0141441550     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Participation & PreparednessParticipation is the active engagement in the class -- simply showing up and remaining awake does not equal participation. The use of cell phones, laptops and other electronic devices during class will be considered the same as being absent on that day. 10%
Writing Assignments, Readings & HomeworkSpecific Assignments TBA; this may include a travel journal or blog. Evidence of not having completed the assigned readings will greatly lower your grade. Late assignments will drop one letter grade for each day they are late. Assignments that are more than two weeks late will not be accepted. All work must be formatted according to MLA or other specifications or it will drop a half letter grade for each infraction. Papers/ Work with more than 12 errors in grammar, spelling, or syntax will automatically receive an "F" as grade. Proofreading is of the utmost importance BEFORE submitting work.20%
Peer Reviews & Conscientiousness of Editing A large portion of the class will include "workshop" wherein you are responsible for written and oral critique of the work being generated by your colleagues. This is a crucial element of the class and will require as much organization, preparation, and participation as the writing of your own pieces. You will be required to submit a copy of your comments to both the writer being reviewed and to me for each workshop.15%
Conscientiousness of Self-Editing & Process AnalysisOne of the most crucial elements of writing prose is learning how and when to approach the editing process. You will be taking your work through various revisions and drafts and this should be evident when you submit revised work, in particular the final portfolios. Each revised assignment will require you to write a "process analysis" noting the stages you worked through, the elements (strategies) you employed, and a statement about the "readiness" or level of polish you feel the particular draft embodies. 15%
Final PortfolioThe Final Portfolio is the sum total of your work over the course of the semester. You will not receive letter grades on your writing drafts until you submit the pieces in the final portfolio. The portfolio should, therefore, contain only polished work. Detailed guidelines about the requirements and format will be handed out in class. No late portfolios will be accepted, no exceptions. Portfolios are due on the last day of the semester.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 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:

Students are required to attend all scheduled class meetings and to participate in all classroom activities. In addition to this weighting of attendance, students are allowed only two absences (no questions asked, no excuse needed). However, each additional absence beyond the two allowed will result in the reduction of the final grade for the course by 5%. Students with more than five absences will fail the course.  Student arriving at class after the class attendance has been taken will be counted as absent.  Please refer to the JCU catalog for the attendance and absence policies.

Please refer to the university catalog for the attendance and absence policy.

 




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

This schedule is subject to change and is not the definitive course calendar.
Specific dates, guidelines, readings, and assignments will be made available in class and on MY JCU.

Week One: 
Course Introduction: A brief overview of the history of travel writing
Travel Writing – fiction vs. nonfiction

Week Two:
Style, Substance, and Sensitivity to Landscape
Writing in Brief – Guidebooks, Micro-travel Stories & Blog Posts

Week Three:
Travel Magazines:  The Changing Shape of the Travel Essay
Workshop

Week Three
Finding subjects locally – the micro-journey
The fine art of reading
Workshop

Week Four
The tools of the trade, Generating Ideas, Travel Journals
Workshop

Week Five
Internet-based travel writing & Incorporating Photography
Setting up a Blog

Week Six
Dinner is the Destination: Integrating the culinary into the journey

Week Seven
Travel & Humor
Workshop

Week Eight
Cross Cultural Excursions
Research Before & After the Trip, Interviewing techniques
Writing on the Road (photography, notes, memory cues, etc.)

Week Nine
Writing Query Letters, Pitching Editors  
Workshop

Week Ten
Travel Memoir: Becoming the protagonist in your own work

Week Eleven
Developing Relationships, Collaborating & Finding your Audience
Workshop

Week Twelve
Can you hear me? It's all about voice, voice, voice
Workshop

Week Thirteen
Triage: Knowing When & What to Cut
Workshop & Process Analysis

Week Fourteen
Portfolios Due on last day of class;
Class Reading

Please note that no late portfolios will be accepted, no exceptions.
We will meet during the final exam period (TBA) and offer final critiques