SYLLABUS FOR ENGLISH 312 001
Creative Writing
Fall 2006, MWF 9-9:50 a.m., PA 204

Instructor: Todd M. Bunnell
Phone: 329-7392
Office/Hours: 210 Painter, MWF 10 a.m. - Noon
E-mail address/website: tbunnell@muw.edu <www2.muw.edu/~tbunnell>

TEXTS AND MATERIALS:
*Shaping the Story, Mark Baechtel
*Writing Poems, Michelle Boisseau and Robert Wallace, Sixth Edition

COURSE CONTENT:
EN 312 is an introduction to the process and craft of creative writing. Students will first work on exercises to stimulate ideas for writing. Then, students will develop short stories and poems on their own, work on revisions of creative pieces, and analyze creative works in both in-class workshops and one-on-one conferences with the instructor. Students are also expected to critique and analyze published material as well as material produced by other students in the class. Students will be expected to develop a portfolio of poetry and short fiction.

GOALS:
To gain an appreciation and use of language and style used in creative works
To understand and use various literary terms associated with the craft of poetry and short stories
To gain a better understanding for the craft of published literature, especially contemporary literature
To learn to be able to critique creative works critically and in an informed manner
To learn about the process of revising creative works
To develop a finished portfolio
To learn about the publishing process

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
1. Magazine Review. Each student will be expected to review and analyze either a hard copy or online literary journal as part of the learning process of publication. You should focus on the magazine's content and style, authors, market, etc., and whether this journal would be a good outlet for your work or not. The review should be between 2-3 pages and will be due November 17.

2. Writing Journal and Writing Exercises. I will assign various in-class and out-of-class writing exercises which should be conducted in your journal. You should also use this journal to jot down any ideas or comment on anything inspirational that might be used for later creative works. If any overheard conversation or event takes place that you might like to use for a later work, you might like to jot that down in your journal and discuss. Any rough ideas for short stories or poems should start here. You should write in your journal at least four times a week, and you should generally write a minimum of a page each time. These journals will be due three days before your scheduled conference, and the number of entries due will be dependent upon the number of classes met.

3. Conference and Workshop Participation. Each student will meet with me for about 20 minutes three times this semester. You should turn in pieces to be reviewed during the conference at least three days prior to your scheduled conference. On conference day, be prepared to discuss your journal and any work that you have completed and turned in. On workshop days, each student is expected to hand in photocopies for every student in class work that he or she wishes to be discussed. Each student is required to hand in at least five credits of writing for the entire semester and should be prepared to hand in one credit every workshop week. One short story equals one credit. Three poems equal one credit unless a poem happens to be longer than four pages. In that case, the poem may receive one half a credit by itself. Other students are then expected to make critical comments. A handout on possible items to look for will be discussed before workshop sessions.

4. Final. There will be a final which will cover lecture, handouts, and text material. The tests will cover concepts and terms discussed in class as well as a creative section.

5. Portfolio. The main focus of this class is the development and completion of a 15-20 page portfolio. The portfolio must include at least three credits of work which can be satisfied by either containing one short story and six poems or two short stories and three poems, depending on your concentration. You may have more pieces, but these are the minimums that must be included. The portfolio will be graded both on revisions made throughout the year as well as on the final product. This completed portfolio will be due December 1.

METHOD OF EVALUATION:
The final grade will be determined by the following:

*Magazine Review -- 10%
*Writing Journal and Writing Exercises -- 20%
*Conference and Workshop Participation -- 20%
*Final -- 10%
*Portfolio -- 40%

GRADING SCALE:
100-95 A 94-92 A- 91-89 B+ 88-86 B 85-83 B- 82-80 C+
79-77 C 76-74 C- 73-71 D+ 70-68 D 67-65 D- 64-0 F

ATTENDANCE:
Attendance is very important. Each student will be allowed to miss six (6) classes. On the seventh absence, the student will automatically receive a failing grade for the course. You are responsible for being aware of your own absences. I will not notify you of the number of absences you have, but you are welcome to check with me. Note: There is no difference between an excused absence and an unexcused absence. Also, please come to class on time and prepared. Excessive tardies (four) will add up to an absence.

PLAGIARISM:
In creative writing, plagiarism is to be taken seriously. Plagiarism is using someone else's ideas or writing as your own without giving credit to that individual or source. A plagiarized work will receive a zero, and under extreme cases, you may even receive a grade of F for the course.

DISABILITIES:
It is the responsibility of students who have professionally diagnosed disabilities to notify the instructor so that necessary and appropriate modifications can be made to meet any special learning needs.

CELL PHONES
Please be considerate of your classmates and of the instructor by turning off all cell phones before entering class. If there is a special circumstance, please notify me in advance.

IMPORTANT DATES:
September 20 -- Last day to drop a course without receiving a grade of WP/WF
October 18 -- Last day a course may be dropped
November 10 -- Last day to withdraw from the university

WEEK 1 (August 17) -- Introduction to Course.

WEEK 2 (August 21-25) -- Beginning the short story. Shaping the Story -- Chapter 1: "Beginnings (Part I)" and Chapter 2: "Beginnings (Part II)" and Chapter 3: "Point of View."

WEEK 3 (August 28-September 1) -- Chapter 4: "Tone of Voice," Chapter 5: "Setting," and Chapter 6: "Characterization."

WEEK 4 (September 6-8) -- Chapter 7: "Dialogue" and Chapter 8: "Dramatization."

WEEK 5 (September 11-15) -- Chapter 9: "Plot." Chapter 10: "Time," Part Four: Revision, and short story selections and critiques.

WEEK 6 (September 18-22) -- WRITING WORKSHOP #1. Writing Journal Due (approximately 15 entries).

WEEK 7 (September 25-29) -- Beginning poetry, Writing Poem -- Chapter 1: "Starting Out" and Chapter 2: "Verse."

WEEK 8 (October 2-6) -- Chapter 3: "Making the Line I," Chapter 4: "Making the Line II," and Chapter 5: "The Sound (And Look) of Sense."

WEEK 9 (October 11-13) -- WRITING WORKSHOP #2.

WEEK 10 (October 16-20) -- CONFERENCE #1. Writing Journal Due (approximately 35 entries). Welty Symposium.

WEEK 11 (October 23-27) -- Chapter 6: "Subject Matter," Chapter 7: "Tale, Teller, and Tone, " and Chapter 8: "Metaphor."

WEEK 12 (October 30 - November 3) -- WRITING WORKSHOP #3.

WEEK 13 (November 6-10) -- CONFERENCE #2. Writing Journal Due (approximately 50 entries). WRITING WORKSHOP #4.

WEEK 14 (November 13-17) -- WRITING WORKSHOP #4 (continued). Magazine Review Due.

WEEK 15 (November 20) -- CONFERENCE #3. Writing Journal Due (approximately 60 entries).

WEEK 16 (November 27-December 1) -- WRITING WORKSHOP #5. Review. PORTFOLIO DUE.