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D E S C R I P T I O N
This advanced undergraduate course emphasizes the theory and craft of creative nonfiction (CNF). Course readings will introduce students to sub-genres of CNF: memoir, personal essay, personal cultural criticism, literary journalism. Class discussions will focus on the literary qualities of each text and will explore topics specific to nonfiction forms. Students will write three nonfiction pieces to be workshopped by their peers over the course of the semester. A final portfolio will include revisions for two pieces, as well as a craft statement. This course will develop students’ critical faculties, shape them into better readers, and advance their abilities to discuss, assess, and write about literature.
This advanced undergraduate course emphasizes the theory and craft of creative nonfiction (CNF). Course readings will introduce students to sub-genres of CNF: memoir, personal essay, personal cultural criticism, literary journalism. Class discussions will focus on the literary qualities of each text and will explore topics specific to nonfiction forms. Students will write three nonfiction pieces to be workshopped by their peers over the course of the semester. A final portfolio will include revisions for two pieces, as well as a craft statement. This course will develop students’ critical faculties, shape them into better readers, and advance their abilities to discuss, assess, and write about literature.
R E Q U I R E D T E X T S
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• Brief Encounters: A Collection of Contemporary Nonfiction, Ed. Judith Kitchen & Dinah Lenney ISBN: 978-0-393-35099-9
• Modern American Memoirs, Ed. Annie Dillard & Cort Conley ISBN: 0-06--92763-1
• Reality Hunger: A Manifesto, David Shields ISBN: 978-0-307-38797-4
• Course Packet: Various Essays & Supplemental Materials
Reading assignments:
Students should arrive to class prepared to discuss the assigned readings. They will be expected to answer questions and discuss each piece of writing thoughtfully. (If class discussions become lackluster, reading quizzes will be implemented.) Quizzes, as well as questions asked in class, will not be designed to trick or stump you, but rather to enhance your understanding and critical reading of the writing. So, read closely. Take notes! Underline anything that interests you—a line of dialogue, a particular description or turn of phrase, a beautiful sentence, something you don't understand, etc.—anything that takes your attention. (And be sure to note why it takes your attention.)
Most important to our discussions will be your understanding of a work of literature's form, structure, and content: How a story is told, the way in which it's told, and what it is telling. In class, we will read (aloud) excerpts from the assigned reading and other materials, including work written by your peers.
Most important to our discussions will be your understanding of a work of literature's form, structure, and content: How a story is told, the way in which it's told, and what it is telling. In class, we will read (aloud) excerpts from the assigned reading and other materials, including work written by your peers.
Writing assignments:
Students will turn in three essays: one short piece of nonfiction (or “nonquicktion”) and two essays of traditional length. A final portfolio will include revisions of two essays, as well as a craft essay / statement of aesthetics. All work will be formatted like so:
• One-inch margins all around
• Double-spaced throughout
• Paragraphs indented
• Your name, title of the course, and date in upper left-hand corner of first page
• Last name and page number in upper right-hand corner of each page (except for the first page)
• MLA Style
• Double-spaced throughout
• Paragraphs indented
• Your name, title of the course, and date in upper left-hand corner of first page
• Last name and page number in upper right-hand corner of each page (except for the first page)
• MLA Style
Your writing should be competently composed—i.e., demonstrate an understanding of basic grammar, spelling, and punctuation—and show a good-faith effort on your part in order to be considering passing. Remember, people make important decisions about you based on the way your present yourself on the page. Any writing you submit that is not up to snuff will be returned, and I will simply ask you to redo it. Essays that fall short of passing can be rewritten to bring them up to standard. No student who turns in a failing essay and then refuses to revise it will pass the course—no matter how high their grades might be on other assignments.
The more you write, the better your writing gets. I highly recommend you keep a notebook specifically for this class. Your journal is where you take notes and work out your ideas as they come, unfiltered, unedited. It is nice to have it all in one place.
Plagiarism: You are expected to do your own work. Plagiarism includes (but is not limited to) accepting unacknowledged written assistance (ghostwriting), downloading or cutting/pasting from the Internet, or otherwise representing someone else's work as your own. Any instance of plagiarism will be dealt with immediately and severely.
G R A D E S
Workshop Piece #1 10%
Workshop Piece #2 15%
Workshop Piece #3 20%
Attendance & Quizzes 15%
Participation & Workshop Feedback 15%
Final Portfolio 25%
Workshop Piece #2 15%
Workshop Piece #3 20%
Attendance & Quizzes 15%
Participation & Workshop Feedback 15%
Final Portfolio 25%
Submission of work:
Students must submit a hard copy of each assignment in class on the day it is due. I cannot guarantee receipt of assignments submitted in any other manner (email, slipped under my office door, in my department mailbox, etc.).
Late work:
Work turned in after the class period it is due will be penalized according to the following:
• After class, same day = minus whole letter grade (ten points off per day: 92 becomes 82, etc.).
• Each subsequent day late results in one letter grade deduction (additional ten points off per day).
• Three or more days late = a grade of F*
*Students must turn in all assignments, regardless of late penalties, in order to pass the class.
• After class, same day = minus whole letter grade (ten points off per day: 92 becomes 82, etc.).
• Each subsequent day late results in one letter grade deduction (additional ten points off per day).
• Three or more days late = a grade of F*
*Students must turn in all assignments, regardless of late penalties, in order to pass the class.
Attendance:
Your attendance in class is crucial and therefore required. To say it plainly, there is no such thing as an excused absence. However, because of the ordinary horrors of everyday life, I will not remark upon three absences, though any more than three will severely affect your grade downward. So, please cherish your three free absences. This policy is not negotiable.
Being "present" in class means that you are here, you are paying attention, and you are prepared.
Being "present" in class means that you are here, you are paying attention, and you are prepared.
An absence is not an excuse to turn in assignments late.
You are responsible for knowing when / if you've used your three absences.
After your three free absences, every additional absence results in a 5% deduction from the final grade. Any student who misses more than SIX classes will receive an automatic F in the class.
Cell phones:
Please turn off your cell phones before class. DO NOT set them to vibrate. If your are expecting a call that you must answer, please notify prior to the beginning of class. If you are caught texting at any time, I will mark you absent.
Laptops and tablets:
Any laptop use in class must be registered first with SHSU’s Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office. Otherwise, laptops, as well as tablets, are not allowed in class.
Email:
• Please include your section number and full name in the subject line of your email.
• I will not respond to emails that are written in "text speak" or use inappropriate language.
• I answer email during my office hours, so expect at least 24 hours before you receive a response.
• Do not send subsequent emails before you receive my first response.
• I will not respond to emails that are written in "text speak" or use inappropriate language.
• I answer email during my office hours, so expect at least 24 hours before you receive a response.
• Do not send subsequent emails before you receive my first response.
Before you email me with a question, please consult the following:
• this syllabus
• a classmate
• this syllabus
• a classmate
Accommodation of disability:
The Americans with Disabilities Act provides civil rights protections for persons with disabilities. If you believe you have a disability that requires accommodation, contact SHSU’s Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office. Your professor, the SHSU English Department, and the university will make every effort to accommodate your needs.