12/26/2024 5:52:11 PM	ENGL 4A Course Outline as of Fall 2017	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  ENGL 4A	Title:  BEG CREATIVE WRIT
Full Title:  Beginning Creative Writing
Last Reviewed:2/6/2023

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	3.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	52.50
Minimum	3.00	Lab Scheduled	0		6 min.	Lab Scheduled	0
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	3.00			Contact Total	52.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:

Introductory study and writing of short fiction, poetry, drama, and/or creative non-fiction.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:
Completion of ENGL 100, ESL 100, or higher or equivalent

Recommended Preparation:

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

Introductory study and writing of short fiction, poetry, drama, and/or creative non-fiction.

(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:Completion of ENGL 100, ESL 100, or higher or equivalent
Recommended:
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:		Inactive:
Area:
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:
UC Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:
C-ID:
CID Descriptor: ENGL 200	Introduction to Creative Writing	SRJC Equivalent Course(s): ENGL4A

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable

COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1.  Recognize similarities and differences of the basic genres, including fiction, poetry, drama,

    and creative non-fiction.

2.  Demonstrate technical and stylistic elements in creative written work of at least two genres.

3.  Critique and evaluate peers' work according to specific criteria employed in assessing basic

    elements of creative writing.

4.  Generate, revise and edit original work.

 

Objectives:

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

I. READING:

    A. Identify and analyze major elements of narrative, including character, setting, plot/conflict,

         and figurative language in works by established writers and student writers in the genres

         of fiction, poetry, drama, and/or creative non-fiction.

    B. Identify and analyze major elements of poetry including sound, rhythm, figurative

         language, and the poetic line.

    C. Identify and analyze major components of drama including plot, character, theme, diction,

         music, spectacle, and convention.

    D. Critique peer writing, providing constructive criticism.

    E. Analyze similarities and differences among genres.

II. WRITING:

    A. Apply a variety of creative writing techniques to different genres.

    B. Employ basic narrative elements such as characterization, setting, plot/conflict, and

         figurative language.

    C. Employ basic poetic elements such as sound, rhythm, figurative language and the poetic

         line.

    D. Employ three major components of drama including plot, character, theme, diction, music,

         spectacle, and convention.

    E. Revise and edit drafts of original work and provide revision and editing feedback to peers.

    F. Write on a regular schedule to develop disciplined writing habits.

Topics and Scope

I. READING:

    A. Examples of published work in the genres of fiction, poetry, drama, and/or creative

         non-fiction that demonstrate technical and stylistic elements of each genre, including but

         not limited to character, setting, plot/conflict, figurative language, sound, rhythm and the

         poetic line.

    B. Examples of published work that demonstrate similarities and differences among genres.

II. WRITING:

    A. Characteristics of the genres of fiction, poetry, and/or creative non-fiction.

    B. Basic creative writing elements, such as character, setting, plot/conflict, figurative

         language, sound, rhythm, and the poetic line.

    C. Basic components of a play, such as plot, character, theme, diction, music, spectacle, and

         convention.

    D. Revision strategies using workshop feedback and individual conferences/tutorials focusing

         on creative writing elements of narrative in fiction, poetry; and/or creative non-fiction or

         drama.

III. PEER RESPONSE AND WORKSHOP:

    A. Techniques for reading classmates' or peers' work in progress in a workshop setting.

    B. Strategies for giving helpful response (feedback) to classmates' or peers' work in progress.

    C. Evaluating and using peer response to improve writing.

Assignments:

I. READING

    A. Read 30 to 50 pages each week of published works in the different genres and/or in craft

         manuals.

    B. Read, analyze, and discuss in a work of short fiction narrative elements such as character,

         setting, plot/conflict, and figurative language.

    C. Memorize and recite at least fourteen lines of poetry.

    D. Read, analyze, and discuss poetic techniques in various forms of poetry.

    E. Read, analyze, and discuss dramatic elements in various forms of drama.

    F. Analyze and discuss a published work of fiction, focusing on characterization and conflict.

    G. Present an oral critique of a classmate's work in a workshop setting.

II. WRITING:

    A. Write a minimum of four hours weekly, focusing on establishing a regular writing

         schedule.

    B. Collect a portfolio of revised work totaling at least 8,000 to 10,000 words, 250 lines of

         edited poetry, or a proportional equivalence of several genres that demonstrate basic

         creative writing elements and techniques.

    C. Write a work of creative non-fiction of at least 1,000 words with a consistent point of view;

         or 6-8 scenes for plays each one illustrating a different point or conflict.

    D. Develop conflict between two characters through the use of dialogue in a short work of

         fiction of at least 750 words.

    E. Develop a character in a short work of fiction.

    F. Write a narrative poem based on a childhood memory.

    G. Write a humorous poem that employs end rhyme and regular rhythm.

    H. Write a series of nature poems relying on imagery.

    I. Revise and edit at least two writings for each of two or more genres, using feedback from

         workshops and individual conferences or tutorials.

    J. Write a critique of at least 500 words of a classmate's work in a particular genre as part of a

         workshop emphasizing specific technical and stylistic elements of creative writing.

    K. Write a response to a published narrative or poem, identifying and discussing the

         importance of writing strategies employed.

    L. Write a response to a literary event (such as a poetry reading) that you have attended.

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 80 - 90%
10000-word portfolio; creative non-fiction; character development exercises; narrative, humor, nature poems; critique; written response exercises;
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 0 - 0%
None
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 5 - 10%
Oral critique in workshop format; Poetry recitation
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 0 - 0%
None
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 5 - 10%
Attendance, class participation and discussion in workshop format

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

PRIMARY TEXTS:

Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft. 9th ed. Burroway, Janet and Stuckey-French, Ned and Stuckey-French, Ned. Pearson. 2014

In the Palm of Your Hand: A Poet's Portable Workshop. Kowit, Steve.Tilbury House. 2003 (classic)

 

SUPPLEMENTAL TEXTS:

The Art and Craft of Fiction: A Writer's Guide. 2nd ed. Kardos, Michael. Bedford/St. Martin's. 2016

Writing Down the Bones. Goldberg, Natalie. Shambhala. 2016

Habits of the Creative Mind. Miller, Richard and Ann Jurecic. Bedford/St. Martin's. 2015

Creative Writing: Four Genres in Brief. 2nd ed. Starkey, David. Bedford/St. Martin's. 2012 (classic)

If You Want to Write. Ueland, Brenda. BN Publishing. 2010 (classic)

What If: Writing Exercises for Fiction Writers. 3rd ed. Bernays, Anne and Pamela Painter. Pearson. 2009 (classic)

The Poetry Home Repair Manual: Practical Advice for Beginning Poets. Kooser, Ted. Bison Books. 2007 (classic)

Reading Like a Writer. Prose, Francine. Harper Perennial. 2007 (classic)

The Scene Book: A Primer for the Fiction Writer. Scofield, Sandra. Penguin Books. 2007 (classic)

Three Genres: The Writing of Poetry, Fiction, and Drama. 8th ed. Minot, Stephen. Prentice. 2006 (classic)

The List Poem: A Guide to Teaching and Writing Catalog Verse. Fagin, Larry.Teachers and Writers Collaborative. 2000 (classic)

Letters to a Young Poet. Rilke, Rainer. W.W. Norton. 1993 (classic)

The Art of Fiction: Notes on Craft for Young Writers. Gardner, John. Vintage. 1991 (classic)

 

Examples of established writers include but are not limited to the following:

Fiction:

Borges, Jorge Luis

Butler, Octavia

Cisneros, Sandra

Diaz, Junot

Hemingway, Ernest

Kincaid, Jamaica

Malamud, Bernard

Mason, Bobbie Ann

McCourt, Frank

Mukherjee, Bharati

Naylor, Gloria

 

Poetry:

Auden, W. H.

Clifton, Lucille

Cofer, Judith Ortiz

Collins, Billy

Donne, John

Hammad, Suheir

Hughes, Langston

Issa, Kobayashi

Lee, Li-Young

Neruda, Pablo

Olds, Sharon

Plath, Sylvia

Rios, Alberto

Rich, Adrienne

Shakespeare, William

Yeats, William Butler

Young, Al

 

Creative Non-fiction:

Ackerman, Diane

Angelou, Maya

Banks, Russell

Dillard, Annie

hooks, bell

Kingston, Maxine Hong

Momaday, N. Scott

White, E. B.

Wolff, Tobias

 

Drama:

Albee, Edward

Hansberry, Lorraine

Hellman, Lillian

Kushner, Tony

Simon, Neil

Valdez, Luis

Williams, Tennessee

Instructor prepared materials

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