|
AdVANCeD CrEATIvE
WrITInG
E N G 2 8 2 0
Oakland
Community College,
Winter 2008
(NOTICE:
extensive use of music in each class)
Instructor: Dr. David L. James
Class:
Section: O-1569, Wednesdays, 6:00-8:55 p.m., G-204
Office
Hours: Tues. and Wed.: 11:00-12:00; Wed.: 3:45-5:45 p.m.; Thurs.:
8:00-9:00 a.m. or by appointment. Email is an excellent way to contact
me.
Office:
G-205, Orchard Ridge Campus
Phone/E-mail: (248) 522-3685;
dljames@oaklandcc.edu
Web Page:
www.oaklandcc.edu/or-eng/dljames/djhome.htm
Required
Texts:
In the Palm of Your Hand: Steve Kowit
New Sudden Fiction, Shapard and Thomas, 2007
Course
Description: (Prerequisite: ENG
2800)
Students
will continue their development in writing original fiction, poetry, and
drama. Emphasis will be placed on developing the individual’s artistic
vision.
Course
Objectives:
Students
will—
·
Select one or two genres and create original work
·
Present their work orally for group critiques
·
Respond constructively to other students’ writing and
listen to others respond to theirs
·
Read a variety of poetry, fiction, and plays
·
Develop their particular artistic vision and philosophy
·
Revise and rewrite their creative work to include it in a
final portfolio
·
Refine an aesthetic appreciation for writing and
literature
·
Learn to communicate effectively
·
Think creatively and critically
Course
Requirements:
Writing
Portfolio
95-60 points
A final
portfolio of quality writing is due on the 14th class
period. The portfolio must contain 15 typed pages of original work (no
more, no less) in one genre or work in a combination of two genres.
The final goal is to highlight the very best work of the writer.
In addition to the 15 pages of work, writers must include a one-page
response to the question, “What have I learned about my writing this
semester?” AND a one-page description of their “evolving
philosophy of writing” at this stage in their careers (i.e., What do
you want to achieve through writing? What should writing accomplish?
Describe the value of writing, if any?) Late portfolios are
marked down by 7 points automatically.
4
One-Page Response Papers Up to 40 points (10
each)
After
reading articles on the craft of writing, students will write 1-2 page
typed double-spaced response essays. In the response, students will
answer questions like the following: how does this relate to my writing
and my philosophy? What impact might this have on my views or my work?
Do I agree or disagree with the author and why? The purpose is to
explore your own philosophy of writing by reflecting on current literary
issues. Late papers are marked down by 2 points and are not accepted
beyond one week from the deadline.
Attendance/Participation 75 points (5
per class)
Your
involvement in discussions, in-class writing, and critiquing is crucial
to the success of this course and your learning. Leaving early or
coming in later than 20 minutes will be counted as ½ an absence (+2.5
instead of +5).
Peer
Critiques 20 points
Students
are required to submit at least four works for group critique
with the entire class (5 points per work). At least two works must
be submitted by the 6th class. Students should indicate
on each submission if the work is to be considered in the helping circle
or not. Helping circle work should not exceed eight pages at a time.
TOTAL POINTS:
230 points
Grading
Scale:
230-220 A 219-207 A-
206-196 B+
195-184 B 183-171 B-
170-162 C+
161-155 C 156-145 C-
144-130 D
129 or
lower WP
ADA:
Students requiring special assistance (including those affected by the
American with Disabilities Act) should contact the PASS Office. They
will inform the instructor of any special conditions pertaining to the
students’ learning.
Privacy
Information:
In
accordance with federal law (FERPA), none of your personal information
will be given to anyone without your written permission.
Plagiarism:
Any attempt
to submit the work by others and claim it as your own will result in an
‘E’ for the course. This is a major academic offense.
Extra
Credit:
Students
may earn up to 10 points by attending a poetry reading, a fiction
reading, or a play during the term and writing a 1-2 page typed response
about the experience (double-spaced). How would you grade the
reading/play performance on an A, B, C, or D scale, and why? What, if
anything, was impressive? How did the author introduce each piece?
What aspect of the reading/play interested you the most? This paper
must be submitted prior to the 13th class period.
(Include the theatre playbill if seeing a play.)
Expectations:
I expect
you to take your writing seriously. I expect you to rewrite
and revise your work throughout the semester and resubmit it for group
consideration. I expect a general competence in your
writing, e.g., correct spelling, grammar, and sentence
structure. I expect lively, honest discussion in class.
None of us has all the answers, but we get closer to the truth as we
debate, reflect, question, and share ideas with each other. Also,
I expect people to treat each other tactfully and kindly, in the spirit
of generosity.
* * * * * * *
You can
expect to participate in a ‘helping circle’ group critique session
almost every class. You can expect to participate in
in-class writing exercises on a regular basis. You can
expect me to read everything diligently and write honest comments for
your consideration. However, I do not grade individual
pieces. You can expect the final grading of
the portfolio to be subjective. Form and presentation play an
important and small part, but the primary focus will consist of my
personal evaluation of the merits of your complete works—originality,
creativeness, uniqueness, insight and impact.
“Talent
is helpful in writing, but guts are absolutely necessary. Without
the guts to try, the talent may never be discovered.”
Jessamyn
West
E N G 2
8 2 0 : ADVANCED CREATIVE WRITING
Class Readings Due
1 Introductions/syllabus/in-class
writing.
2 ACCEPT DRAFTS DAY 1. Bill Moyer video;
pages i-20 in In the Palm of Your Hand (Palm); read The
Rememberer 63, and Tomorrow’s Bird 73 in New Sudden Fiction
(NSF); handout article #1.
3 Issue: Can creative writing be taught?
Creativity powerpoint; Palm: chap. 3, 28; My Lawrence 105, Pompeii 117
in NSF.
4 ACCEPT DRAFTS DAY 2. Palm: chap. 5; The
Raft 29, Berlin Wall Piece 57 in NSF; Response paper #1 due;
handout article #2.
5 Issue: Sharing: where do you
find inspiration? Palm: chap. 6, 21; Juan the Cell Phone
Salesman 305, Doughnut Shops and Doormen 288 in NSF.
6 ACCEPT DRAFTS DAY 3. Palm: chap 9, 10;
Why Men Quit 201, The Puppies 177 in NSF; Response paper #2 due.
7 Issue: Censorship: should I or should I not?
Palm: chap 11, 15; Swimming for Shore 222, Mud 229 in NSF. “Poetry
and What’s Right.”
8 ACCEPT DRAFTS DAY 4. Palm: chap. 13, 14;
Reply All 268 in NSF.
9 Issue: Can writing cure you? Palm:
chap. 25; Consumed 196 in NSF; handout article #3.
10 ACCEPT DRAFTS DAY 5. Online exploration;
SF: 136
11 Palm: chap. 26; Nap Time 310 in NSF; handouts;
Response paper #3 due.
12 ACCEPT DRAFTS DAY 6. Palm: chap. 12;
innovative fiction and poetry handouts; The Gold Lunch 281 in NSF.
13 Palm: chap. 22, 27; handout article #4.
14 F I N A L
PORTFOLIO DUE.
Palm: chap. 29; issue: Should I try to publish? The benefits and
drawbacks.
Last Day for 100% refund: Close of 6th
business day from start of
class
Last Day to Withdraw: Friday of 12th
week of class
Spring Recess: Feb. 25 - March 1
Schedule subject to minor
changes.
|
