Course Syllabus

SYLLABUS REVISED ON MARCH 27,2020

English 4ABC Creative Writing
Instructor: Terry Ehret
Spring 2020, Santa Rosa Campus

Meeting Times: Fridays 9am to 12 pm
Meeting Location: Emeritus Room 1614 or by Zoom Conference
Office Hours: Fridays 12-12:45pm
Office Hour Location: Emeritus Room 1638, by e-mail, or by Zoom Conference
Writing Center in Petaluma: Tues 10am–2pm  
Location: Petaluma, Doyle Room 247  or by Pisces online tutoring platform                                          
Contacting Instructor: tehret99@comcast.net   
                                                    tehret@santarosa.edu

Course Description
This is a creative writing workshop for beginning and experienced writers, covering various styles and techniques in imaginative literature. In class, we will begin with some loosening-up exercises, examine how both traditional and experimental writers have approached their craft, and discuss the students’ own writing in a workshop format.

Out of class, students will keep a daily writing journal, responding to assigned readings, recording memories, experiences, dreams, and ideas for their own creative writing projects. They will also attend readings and literary events in the community, or view recorded readings, interviews, and craft talks online. Guest writers will be invited on occasion to share their creative process and experiences with the class.

Prerequisite
Eligibility for English 1A or equivalent. Completion of English 1A strongly recommended.

Required Books and Materials
Personal writing journal (required for all students)
4A Writing Down the Bones, by Natalie Goldberg
4B and 4C students (or those already familiar with Goldberg’s book) may choose one of the following recommended books. There’s a more inclusive list in Supplemental Information Packet.    

The Practice of Poetry, by Robin Behn and Chase Twitchell (Poetry)
Steering the Craft, by Ursula K. LeGuin (narrative/fiction)
Finding Your Writer’s Voice, by Thaisa Frank (narrative/fiction)
Writing the Memoir: From Truth to Art, by Judith Barrington (creative nonfiction)
Bird by Bird, by Anne Lamott (general, with emphasis on fiction)
Wild Mind, by Natalie Goldberg (creative process)
Free Play: Improvisation in Life and Art, by Stephen Nachmanovitch (creative process)
Art  & Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking, by David Bayles
          and Ted Orland (creative process)

Course Requirements
  1.  Regular class attendance: Given the interruption to our face-to-face classes during the COVID-19 health crisis,
        physical attendance will not be required. Students may choose to join a weekly Zoom meeting during our
        regularly scheduled class time on Friday mornings. Or students may complete the weekly lessons on their own
        by accessing the materials on Canvas and submitting assignments there.

2. Writing Journal: Daily writing practice with a minimum of 3 entries each week. One of these entries may be done as an in-class writing exercise. The other two are done on your own. Suggestions for using the journal for regular writing practice are included in the Supplemental Information Packet. If we don't return to face-to-face meetings this semester, the journal requirement will be dropped.
   
   3. Submission of 10 weekly writing exercises for credit: These will be based on the exercises we do in class each week or alternate exercises included in the week’s handouts. They are spontaneous and improvisational in nature, but designed to extend your range and explore new techniques in a non-judgmental way. A typed, revised version of the in-class exercise will be due on Canvas the following class week. Recommended length: 1-2 pages of prose or poetry. Several students each week will present theirs (or an alternative creative piece) in class workshop.

Note: We will do 13 weekly exercises in class, so you will have some flexibility in deciding which ones to work on and revise for credit. You may also submit other writings you have done during the week, in addition to the in-class exercise, but only one will count for your weekly assignment. Please designate which one you wish to receive credit.  Include a note to me, explaining how the additional piece was generated, and what kind of comments or feedback will be useful to you.

4. Active participation in class workshops: This will include
   a. Submission of 1 or 2 creative pieces for workshop discussion by the class.
   b. Participation in all in-class writing exercises.
   c. Written and oral responses to other students’ work.
   
   
5. Final Portfolio: A manuscript of revised creative work from the semester. This may take the form of a group of poems, several short prose narratives, a single extended story or memoir, a series of scenes or chapters from a novel or play, or some combination of these. Though each student’s portfolio will be different, I will expect 10-12 pages of poetry or 20-30 pages of prose.

Final Portfolio is due on May 15. Students will submit their portfolio on Canvas and receive my feedback there on 5/22 .

In addition to the above requirements, students who are taking the class for a letter grade and wish to earn a “B” or better must complete the following:

6. Attendance one local readings or performances: SRJC’s Arts and Lectures and the Theater Arts Department will be presenting lectures and performances during the semester on the Santa Rosa Campus. Off-campus, readings and literary events are offered nearly every day of the week. The Sonoma County Literary Update (www.socolitupdate.org) provides a monthly calendar of events for you to choose from.
   
   Since most public literary events were cancelled after February, students wishing to complete this assignment may do so by viewing one of the online readings, interview, or craft talks included on Canvas, and then writing a review. These are available in the module called "Online Literary Events." Students may also choose an online video on their own, with instructor's approval.
   
   A 1-2 page written review of each reading/event is required to receive credit for your attendance. Guidelines for writing an event review (and a sample student review) are included in the Supplemental Information Packet.

 Review is due on May 8, 2020.

In addition to the above requirements, students wishing to earn a letter grade of “A” must complete the following:

7. A 3-5 page written review of the text you have chosen for the course. Your review should briefly summarize the author’s main idea(s), discuss those aspects of the book which you found most helpful to you as a writer, and include at least one short prose piece or at least one poem which you feel was directly inspired by the author’s ideas. Guidelines for writing a text review (and sample student reviews) are included in the Supplemental Information Packet.

Text Review is due on Canvas on May 15, along with the final portfolio.

Grading

Pass/No Pass Option (Last day to opt for P/NP is February 23, 2020--may be extended)
This course can be taken P/NP. I recommend this option, since this will allow us to focus more on writing, less on grades. However, if you are planning to transfer to a 4-year college or university, you may want to take the class for a letter grade.

Letter Grade Option
If you opt to take the course for a letter grade, your grade will be based on the following criteria:

50% Weekly writing assignments (10 assignments, 5 points each)
10 % Workshop participation and responses to fellow students’ writing
20% Final portfolio
10% Two reviews of local readings/performances (5 points each)
10% Review of selected text

General Class Procedures
   1. Weekly writing assignments will be due on Fridays 9:00 AM, and returned with instructor’s comments at the
        next Friday. These will not be graded. Each assignment will earn 5 points, unless the assignment has been
        done carelessly, is incomplete, or poorly edited.

2. All work you turn in must be typed. Poetry may be single-spaced. Prose should be double-spaced. Font should be no smaller than 12 point. This is very important because small font and single-spaced prose is difficult to read (and makes me feel old and grouchy). However, if you are preparing a piece for the class workshop and need to conserve space, single-spacing and smaller font size (within reason) is acceptable.
   
   
3. I have set up a Canvas Course Website where I will post the syllabus and each week's handouts so you can check on current or upcoming assignments. You can submit all written assignments by clicking on the Assignments feature in the menu on the left of the Canvas Home Page.
   
   
4. I will post each week's workshop pieces on Canvas a week ahead. Students who wish to participate in the class lesson and workshop via Zoom will be able to give their feedback orally. Those who are unable to attend will be able to give their feedback using the Discussions feature on Canvas.
   
   
5. Class Format:
               9:00-10:00—Craft lesson or presentation by guest writer
               10:00-10:30—Writing exercise
               10:30-10:40—Break
               10:40-11:50—Class workshop (starting week 4)
   
   
6. Class Workshop
   The last hour and 10 minutes of each class meeting will be devoted to workshop. You will be able to sign up for one or two workshops during the semester to present your work for class discussion. Each presenter will have 20 minutes. If you know you’ll want more time, you can sign up for your two workshop times back-to-back.

When it is your turn to present, bring enough copies for the whole class one week ahead to give everyone a chance to read it before discussion. Students may also send their workshop pieces to me, and I will post them on Canvas. After students present their creative piece, the rest of the class will offer their comments in discussion and/or using the Discussion feature on Canvas. 

6. See the Supplemental Information Packet for special instructions on journal work, final portfolio, guidelines for writing an event review or text review, workshop etiquette, ideas for responding to your fellow students’ creative work, and subscribing to Poets & Writers (optional).
   
   

   Course Outline

   Creative Writing and Creative Process
               Week One 1/17           Introduction to the Course
                                                              Writing and Identity
   
               Week Two 1/24           Improvisation and Intention
                                                              Setting Your Writing Goals
   
               Week Three 1/31         Art and Fear: Making Your Peace with the Inner Critic
   
   Elements of Poetics

                 Week Four 2/7          Image and Metaphor: Writing and Nature
                                                            Guest writer: Maya Khosla     
                                                            Class Workshop #1                                                                                                            

                February 14, 2020      Lincoln’s Birthday Holiday: No class

               Week Five 2/21          “Ladders to the Dark”: Tapping the Unconscious
                                                               Class Workshop #2

                 Last day to file for P/NP option is February 23.
   
                 Week Six 2/28           Rhythms, Patterns, and Repetitions
                                                             Class Workshop #3

                Week Seven 3/6        Guest Teacher Murleen Ray: Line Breaks
                                                             Class Workshop #4
   
               Week Eight 3/13        Playing with Form (class cancelled, but lesson appears on Canvas)
                                                          

               March 13-29:  Suspension of Classes      

   Narrative Technique in Memoir and Fiction
   
               Week Nine 4/3            “From Truth to Art”: Memoir
                                                              The House of Memory
                                                              Class Workshop #5
   
               Week Ten 4/10             Indirect Narration:
                                                               Creating Character through Setting/Voice
                                                               Guest writer: Jean Heglund
                                                               Class Workshop #6
   
               Week Eleven 4/17      Telling a Story through Monologue/Dialogue
                                                                Class Workshop #7

                Last day to drop class with “W” symbol is April 19.

               Week Twelve 4/24     “Different Rooms, Different Voices”:
                                                                  Exploring Point of View
                                                                  Class Workshop #8

               Week Thirteen 5/1      “There’s Never a Story Unless There Are Two Stories”:
                                                                   Intercutting and Dual Narratives
                                                                   Class Workshop #9

   Beyond the Writing Class
               Week Fourteen 5/8   Publishing, Open-Mics, Writing Groups, Conferences, Residencies
                                                              Guest writers: Marlene Cullen and Iris Jamahl Dunkle
                                                              Class Workshop #10

   Literary Event Review Due (Required for a Letter Grade of B)

               Week Fifteen  5/15      Optional Zoom Conference: Readings from Final Student Portfolios
   
               Review of Text Due (Required for a Letter Grade of A)
               Final Portfolios Due

   May 16-22 Final Exams Week

   There will be no final examination for the course. Instead, I will be available for Zoom Conferences during our scheduled exam time on Friday, May 22, 9:45 am to noon. The comments and score on the final portfolio (and any other class assignments) will be available on Canvas.