posted: 2/10/2008
|
Spring 2009 (session B) |
Ted Morrissey (CV) |
ENGLISH 216-70 - CREATIVE WRITING: FICTION (3 Credit
Hours)
I. Course Description: English 216 Creative Writing: Fiction is a course
designed for students who have an interest in producing original creative prose
works, especially the short story. Students will both write creatively and
analyze the creative works of others to gain a better understanding of the
writing process. Issues related to publication and writing for publication will
be a significant focus of the course as well. A student must earn a grade of
"C" or better to receive credit toward graduation. Prerequisite:
English 111 with a grade of "C" or better.
II. Textbooks:
Braver,
Adam. Mr. Lincoln’s Wars.
Burroway, Janet,
with Susan Weinberg. Writing Fiction: A
Guide to Narrative Craft. 6th ed.
Available at SCI's Bookstore.
Note: I will go
over much of this syllabus in class but not every word. It is your responsibility to read the entire
syllabus and ask questions if you do not understand any part of it. Being familiar with the contents of the syllabus
will enhance your performance in this course.
III.
SCI: The
mission of
BU:
IV. Goals, objectives
and outcomes:
1. To understand the
structure and elements of fiction and the writing process.
2. To produce fully developed works of fiction.
3. To demonstrate an understanding of the critical terminology of the creative
writer.
4. To practice standard English for editing and proofreading.
5. To examine outlets for creative writing (i.e. publication), both traditional
print and electronic.
B. Common Student
Learning Objectives:
CK-1 Content Knowledge
(Lifelong learning): Know and apply the central concepts of the subject matter
CK-1 Content Knowledge (Lifelong learning): Use current research to support
assumptions and beliefs
CS-1 Communication Skills (Lifelong learning and leadership): Communicate
effectively in oral and written forms
PS-2 Problem-Solving Skills (Lifelong learning and leadership):Seek information
and develop an in-depth knowledge base, grounded in research
SR-2 Social Responsibility (Service and Leadership): Make ethical and informed
decisions
GP-1 Global Perspectives (Diversity): Recognize the importance of diversity of
opinion, abilities and cultures.
C. Course Based Student
Learning Objectives: Students who have successfully completed ENGLISH 216 will
be able to . . .
1. Find ideas for fiction
and develop those creative ideas via drafting and revision. (CK-1, CS-1)
2. Manipulate fictional elements like characterization, plot, and setting to
achieve a desired effect. (CK-1, CS-1)
3. Analyze and discuss the elements of fiction as they are manifested in their
own and others' creative writing. (CK-1, PS-2, GP-1)
4. Use terminology associated with creative writing. (CK-1)
5. Successfully participate in "workshop" sessions with their peers.
(CK-1, SR-2)
6. Locate possible publishing outlets for their creative work. (CK-1, PS-2,
GP-1)
7. Understand basic differences between creative and expository writing. (CK-1,
CS-1)
V. Teaching
Methodology:
The classroom is
considered a discourse community in which students collaborate in the learning
process. Students will be involved in peer work, group discussions, pre- and
rewriting activities, and conferencing. There will be intervention in
students’ creative writing process, and response to student writing, by
both the instructor and other students. To be successful, students must come to
class prepared, which means having all reading and writing assignments done before they are due. Note: “Creative Writing:
Fiction” is not an “easy” class. Writing quality short
stories is every bit as challenging as writing quality essays. Moreover, even
though there is a strong emphasis on writing in creative writing, analytical
reading is also a major part of the course. To be an effective writer, you must
be an effective reader.
VI. Course
Requirements:
Attendance: As in every
other class, absences will negatively affect your grade. To avoid class
disruption, students must be seated by 6:00. Arriving between 6:00 and 6:05
will be considered a “late” (three lates equal one-half
hour absence); between 6:05 and 6:30, one-half hour absence; between 6:30 and 7:00, one hour
absence; etc. Missing an entire class session equals 4.0 hours. Missing six hours is an automatic F, regardless of
a student's current grade.
Your goal should be to
attend all classes and to have an absence only when it is a true emergency. If
you know you are going to be absent (or late), you should contact me as early
as possible. This will not "excuse" the absence, but it is considered
the appropriate behavior in college. College is like a job in this respect: If
you were going to miss work, you presumably would call your supervisor in
advance—you would not simply fail to come to work, then wander in the
next time you were scheduled (if so, you would not be scheduled a next time).
Behavior: Be attentive to
the instructor and your classmates. Private conversations and jokes are rude
and disruptive. Turn off your cell phone too.
Work:
1. Completion of all
assigned readings and writings according to given deadlines.
2. In-class and out-of-class assignments.
3. Participation in peer activities, sharing of written work, and group
discussions.
4. Active involvement in mechanics of all writing projects.
5. Conferences regarding writing assignments as needed.
6. Final project.
Academic Integrity Statement
Academic
and professional environments require honesty and integrity, and these qualities are expected of every student
at Springfield College-Benedictine University. In accordance with such
expectations, academic integrity requires that you credit others for their
ideas. Plagiarism, whether intentional
or not, is a grievous offense. Any time you use words or ideas that are not
your own, you must give credit to the author, whether or not you are quoting directly
from that author. Failure to do so constitutes plagiarism.
Any
incident of plagiarism and/or academic dishonesty may result in serious
consequences. Penalties for academic dishonesty vary depending on the severity
or extent of the problem but are always serious.
The
following are consequences you may face for academic dishonesty:
·
a
failing grade or “zero” for the assignment;
·
dismissal
from and a failing grade for the course; or
·
dismissal
from the Institution.
Please refer
to the Springfield College Benedictine University Catalog or the Student
Handbook for a complete discussion of the Academic Integrity policy.
VII. Evaluation
Criteria:
There are numerous
required activities for this course, and not all of them will be graded. Work
(generally described as “homework”) that does not receive a
numerical score, may
be given one of three grades: A check mark indicates an assignment was
completed in an acceptable and timely manner; a plus signifies that an
assignment was completed with special thoroughness and accuracy; a minus
signifies that an effort was substandard. Each check is worth one point; a plus
1.5 points, and a minus .5; the total will be multiplied by an appropriate
number determined by the instructor to establish a homework grade. Students are expected to complete all assignments,
graded or not.
Points will be deducted
for issues of misspelling and nonstandard mechanics according to the SCI English/Speech Department Guidelines for the
Evaluation of Formal Composition (unless the departures from
standard written practice are knowingly done for creative effect).
Late
papers will not be accepted, and each will be scored as a zero. Assignments are due
even if you are not physically in class.
Final Grade will be based
on a percentage of the total score: A = 90 to 100%; B = 80 to 89%; C = 70 to
79%; D = 60 to 69%; F = 0 to 59%. Note that the instructor reserves the right to bump up a
grade if the student demonstrates special effort in the course. Behaviors like perfect attendance, meaningful
participation in class discussions, and in general an eagerness to learn and to
improve one’s reading and writing skills could be taken into
consideration when calculating the final grade.
Grade Appeal Process
According to the Springfield College Catalog, grade
appeals must be initiated 90 days prior to the end of one semester after the
course in question has been completed. The process for appealing a grade is
outlined below.
First,
contact the Instructor.
1.
A
student must appeal to his/her instructor in
writing (e-mail is acceptable) and provide specific reasons why his/her
grade should be changed.
2.
The
instructor must respond to the student in
writing (e-mail is acceptable) and provide a copy to the division chair.
Second, contact the Division Chair.
3.
If
the student wishes, he/she may then appeal to the division chair in writing (e-mail is acceptable) and
provide specific reasons why his/her grade should be changed without the
instructor’s permission. The student should understand that overwhelming
evidence must be presented to the division chair to prove that the current
grade is incorrect.
4. The division chair must respond to the
student in writing (e-mail is
acceptable) and provide a copy to the academic dean. Lastly, contact the
Academic Dean.
5. If the student wishes, he/she may appeal
to the academic dean in writing (e-mail
is acceptable) and provide specific reasons why his/her grade should be changed
without the instructor’s or the division chair’s permission. The
student should understand that overwhelming evidence must be presented to the
academic dean to prove the grade is incorrect.
6. The academic dean must respond to the
student in writing (e-mail is
acceptable). The academic dean’s decision is final.
Due to the accelerated
nature of the course, should you experience a medical condition which prevents
you from attending any class(es), appropriate medical documentation must be
provided immediately so it may be determined what, if any, accommodations are
reasonable or possible.
Drop Dates
March 23 - Last
day to drop with 100% refund
March 30 - Last day to withdraw with 25% refund
April 20 - Last day to withdraw from class
See Adult Accelerated
Calendar.
Directions for Written
Work:
Keep all assignments,
formal and informal, prewriting, revisions, and final drafts until final grades
are received.
If you opt to do a
revision of your first critical paper, you must turn in the graded copy of the
paper with the revision.
Out-of-class Paper
Requirements:
Each short story must be
. . .
1. Typed (printed) in
12-point, Times New Roman font, double-spaced.
2. Five to ten pages in length and represent a “completed” story.
3. Submitted to Blackboard’s SafeAssign feature.
Three Keys to Success:
* Attend all classes and
be on time.
* Turn in all assignments on time.
* Ask for help when you need it.
One or More of the
Following Will Lead to Failure:
* Miss class and/or
consistently be late.
* Fail to turn in assignments or to turn them in on time.
* Not asking for help when you need it.
VIII. Weekly
Assignments:
(Note: Syllabus is subject to change. All page numbers refer to Writing Fiction,
except for weeks 7 and 8, during which you’ll read Mr. Lincoln’s Wars. )
|
Week 1 March 10 |
Before
first session: In Class: |
|
Week 2 March 24 |
Before
Class: In Class: |
|
Week 3 March 31 |
Before
Class: In Class: |
|
Week 4 April 7 |
Before
Class: In Class: |
|
Week 5 April 14 |
Before
Class: In Class: |
|
Week 6 April 21 |
Before
Class: In Class: |
|
Week 7 April 28 |
Before
Class: In Class: |
|
Week 8 May 5 |
Before
Class: In
Class: |
Grades:
First Story 400 pts.
Second Story 400 pts.
Story revision 400 pts.
“Homework” 100 pts.
Total 1,300 pts.
IX. Americans with
Disabilities Act (
If documentation of the disability (either learning or
physical) is not already on file, it may be requested. Once on file, an
individual student’s disability documentation is shared only at that
individual’s request and solely with the parties whom the student wishes
it shared. Requests are kept
confidential and may be made by emailing aroberts@sci.edu
or by calling 217-525-1420, ext. 233.
X. Assessment:
Assessment will be an on-going part of the course. In addition to
providing feedback on essays and homework assignments, the instructor will ask
that you complete a Quick Response form at the
conclusion of each class period. Your responses may be shared with the class if
the instructor determines that it would be useful to do so.
Instructor assessment:
You are invited to visit RateMyProfessor.com,
and give your instructor an informal evaluation. This is purely for the
instructor's own use; your rating has no bearing on his employment with the
college; nor will it affect your grade since it is completely anonymous.
XI. Illinois Articulation Initiative: ENG 216 has been approved by the
Illinois Articulation Initiative.