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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "CW 205"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Creative Writing"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2016
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Carlos Dews
EMAIL: @johncabot.edu
HOURS: TTH 3:00 PM 4:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: EN 103 or 105 with grade of C or above
OFFICE HOURS: By appointment.

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:

This course presents opportunities for creative writing, while probing major issues of literary aesthetics.

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
At the conclusion of this course students will be familiar with the skills needed to produce literary fiction and nonfiction and drama; have the ability to self-edit work in progress; and be able to discern the qualities that make good, literary fiction, nonfiction and drama.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Creative Writing: An Introduction to Poetry and Fiction.David StarkeyBedford / St. Martins978-1457661679 This textbook is available at The Almost Corner Bookshop in Trastevere.   
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Attendance 10%
Participation  10%
conscientiousness of self-editing 20%
criticism/editing of classmates' work  20%
Final portfolio of work 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:
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

A detailed schedule will be devised during the first week of the class, since workshopping assignments, presentations schedules, and due dates for reading and assignments depend on the number of students in the course.  However, the course will be organized according to the following broad schedule:

Weeks 1-5 Fiction

Weeks 6-10 Poetry

Weeks 11-15 Writing for the Stage