Course Information:
Fall 2009
English 5-16, Creative Writing
ENG 0005-01
Creative Writing: Fiction
Downing, M
In this workshop, you will work as a writer and reader of new fiction. All participants
write original short stories, which they read aloud in class, discuss with their
colleagues, and revise during the semester. In addition, they address specific challenges
of tone, style, structure, and point of view by writing brief experimental fictions
(50 to 250 words), which illustrate how writers invent dramatically different solutions
to a single problem. There are two fundamental requirements: Be present. Be productive.
At the semester's end, writers select their best work and compile a portfolio to
represent their progress and accomplishments.
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ENG 0005-02
Creative Writing: Fiction
Downing, M
In this workshop, you will work as a writer and reader of new fiction. All participants
write original short stories, which they read aloud in class, discuss with their
colleagues, and revise during the semester. In addition, they address specific challenges
of tone, style, structure, and point of view by writing brief experimental fictions
(50 to 250 words), which illustrate how writers invent dramatically different solutions
to a single problem. There are two fundamental requirements: Be present. Be productive.
At the semester's end, writers select their best work and compile a portfolio to
represent their progress and accomplishments.
Back to listing >
ENG 0005-03
Creative Writing: Fiction
Hershman, M
Our fiction workshop focuses on the power to be found in concision, where a writer's
skill at crafting essential details serves to deepen a work. The first four weeks
highlight in-class writing exercises and discussions of published short stories;
students also write a series of interlinked scenes to explore ideas about voice,
character development, pacing, plot, and the surprises inherent in deep imagination.
Over the balance of the term and in response to meeting individual deadlines, students
present two full short stories, one rewrite, and one short-short for workshop discussion,
editing, and critique.
Back to listing >
ENG 0005-04
Creative Writing: Fiction
Hershman, M
Our fiction workshop focuses on the power to be found in concision, where a writer's
skill at crafting essential details serves to deepen a work. The first four weeks
highlight in-class writing exercises and discussions of published short stories;
students also write a series of interlinked scenes to explore ideas about voice,
character development, pacing, plot, and the surprises inherent in deep imagination.
Over the balance of the term and in response to meeting individual deadlines, students
present two full short stories, one rewrite, and one short-short for workshop discussion,
editing, and critique.
Back to listing >
ENG 0005-05
Creative Writing: Fiction
Hurka, J
This course is designed to help you develop the essential elements of creative
prose: voice, description, and empathy. Particular emphasis will be placed on precision
of language, and how the voice of a story must work in tandem with conscience.
You'll also have a look at fiction, poetry, and essays written by masters. We
will investigate the current publishing world, so that if you want to send out your
work at the end of the semester, you can do so. Finally, I would like you to read
your work in progress on class days that we will schedule together, and to comment
carefully and thoughtfully on the work of your classmates when they do the same.
Back to listing >
ENG 0005-06
Creative Writing: Fiction
Hurka, J
This course is designed to help you develop the essential elements of creative
prose: voice, description, and empathy. Particular emphasis will be placed on precision
of language, and how the voice of a story must work in tandem with conscience.
You'll also have a look at fiction, poetry, and essays written by masters. We
will investigate the current publishing world, so that if you want to send out your
work at the end of the semester, you can do so. Finally, I would like you to read
your work in progress on class days that we will schedule together, and to comment
carefully and thoughtfully on the work of your classmates when they do the same.
Back to listing >
ENG 0005-07
Creative Writing: Fiction
Johnston, S
This is an intensive course for those who really want to learn to write. No previous
experience is necessary, though students who have studied creative writing before
are welcome and often enjoy the course—we even get some former students who return
for a second semester. In the course, you'll work closely on every phase of writing
fiction: generating ideas, drafting, and revision. As you do so, you'll have a chance
to explore and discover your voice as a writer, as well as learning how to develop
strong fictional characters, working with the elements of plot and point of view,
learning to write and punctuate dialogue, and employing setting, subtext, and theme.
Be prepared to work hard, but if you love to write, you'll get a lot of feedback
on your work. Student response from the past indicates that this course is challenging
but fun.
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ENG 0005-08
Creative Writing: Fiction
Johnston, S
This is an intensive course for those who really want to learn to write. No previous
experience is necessary, though students who have studied creative writing before
are welcome and often enjoy the course—we even get some former students who return
for a second semester. In the course, you'll work closely on every phase of writing
fiction: generating ideas, drafting, and revision. As you do so, you'll have a chance
to explore and discover your voice as a writer, as well as learning how to develop
strong fictional characters, working with the elements of plot and point of view,
learning to write and punctuate dialogue, and employing setting, subtext, and theme.
Be prepared to work hard, but if you love to write, you'll get a lot of feedback
on your work. Student response from the past indicates that this course is challenging
but fun.
Back to listing >
ENG 0005-09
Creative Writing: Fiction
Levinson, N
This course is for students who want to write good stories. One way to develop
that ability is to write a lot, so work includes several short pieces, a longer,
fully-realized story, some revisions and lots of talk. The class operates primarily
as a workshop, in which we discuss each other's work and the elements and sum of
accomplished fiction. Students also work on developing their ideas about good writing
by reading published stories and what writers have to say about their work.
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ENG 0005-10
Creative Writing: Fiction
Strong, J
My section of English 5 will provide deadlines, a forum for reading aloud and
constructively criticizing student work, and the expectation that you will learn
to create life on the page in a language natural to you. You will tell stories as
only you can tell them. There will be no exercises or outside reading; the work
must come from you. Regular attendance and spirited participation are valued highly
– as is the ability to keep attacking the problems and challenges that present themselves.
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ENG 0005-11
Creative Writing: Fiction
Weesner, Jr., T
This course is an introduction to fiction writing. Our mission through the semester
will be to examine and practice the craft that underpins a well-made short story.
Often we will come together as a workshop, where we will help a writer to see the
range of possibility in his or her work. Other activities will include weekly readings
from an anthology of contemporary fiction—to take apart, to study as potential models—and
exercises that will allow for further practice of various fictional techniques.
Of the two longer stories you write, one will be substantively revised. In a larger
sense you will have the opportunity to find both your creative voice and the stories
you need to tell. By delving into the craft of fiction writing, we will look to
uncover a measure of its mystery and art.
Back to listing >
ENG 0005-12
Creative Writing: Fiction
Weesner, Jr., T
This course is an introduction to fiction writing. Our mission through the semester
will be to examine and practice the craft that underpins a well-made short story.
Often we will come together as a workshop, where we will help a writer to see the
range of possibility in his or her work. Other activities will include weekly readings
from an anthology of contemporary fiction—to take apart, to study as potential models—and
exercises that will allow for further practice of various fictional techniques.
Of the two longer stories you write, one will be substantively revised. In a larger
sense you will have the opportunity to find both your creative voice and the stories
you need to tell. By delving into the craft of fiction writing, we will look to
uncover a measure of its mystery and art.
Back to listing >
ENG 0006-01
Creative Writing: Poetry
Gibson, R
A workshop in writing poetry is a place to experiment. We will try on various
accomplishments in the poetic tradition – metrics, rhyme schemes, free verse, stanza
breaks, shapes, tone, even content, etc. In this class, you will sometimes attempt
to imitate, and find it oddly liberating. You may throw out these experiments once
accomplished, and try something entirely different. You may embrace old forms as
your own. Sometimes, the very poems you've shied away from are the ones waiting
to teach you! The class is a workshop with some assigned exercises.
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ENG 0006-03
Creative Writing: Poetry
Gosztyla, M
This course is a beginning poetry workshop whose primary text is your poems.
Each week we will read and discuss your work. We'll be thinking about what makes
a powerful free verse poem and from time to time we'll work with traditional forms
as you develop a more sophisticated vocabulary regarding the high art of making
poems. I like to meet with students in conference as often as possible. Requirements
for the class include your willingness to write a great deal, to memorize three
poems throughout the term from our anthology, and to attend class regularly.
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ENG 0006-04
Creative Writing: Poetry
Gibson, R
A workshop in writing poetry is a place to experiment. We will try on various
accomplishments in the poetic tradition – metrics, rhyme schemes, free verse, stanza
breaks, shapes, tone, even content, etc. In this class, you will sometimes attempt
to imitate, and find it oddly liberating. You may throw out these experiments once
accomplished, and try something entirely different. You may embrace old forms as
your own. Sometimes, the very poems you've shied away from are the ones waiting
to teach you! The class is a workshop with some assigned exercises.
Back to listing >
ENG 0007-01
Creative Writing: Journalism
Miller, N
This course is an introduction to the nuts-and-bolts of print journalism. We'll
focus on researching and writing news stories, features, profiles, opinion pieces,
and reviews. The aim of the course will be to develop reporting and interviewing
skills, master journalistic principles and forms, and encourage clear thinking and
clear writing. Students will cover stories both on- and off-campus. They will read
their work in class, with class members taking on the roles of editors. We'll also
take a close look at the local and national press and examine how they cover various
stories.
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ENG 0009-01
Writing Fiction: Intermediate
Strong, J
This section of English 9 is designed for students who have had some experience
in writing fiction. It will provide deadlines, a forum for reading aloud and constructively
criticizing each other's work, and the expectation that you will create life on
the page in a language natural to you. Regular attendance and spirited participation
will be valued. This course is open without permission of the instructor to students
who have taken English 5 or 6 (Fiction) or to students, who haven't taken the preliminary
course, with permission.
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ENG 0009-02
Writing Fiction: Intermediate
Cantor, J
Students will read their own fiction in a workshop setting. We will try to discern
what the story is trying to do, where it succeeds, and (supposing it's not perfect)
how to make it better—but on its own terms. We will consider any kind of work, in
any prose genre. The course is open to students who have taken English 5 or 6 without
permission of the instructor, or to students who haven't taken the preliminary course,
with permission.
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ENG 0010-01
Nonfiction Writing
Miller, N
This course will explore various forms of non-fiction writing, including memoir,
profile, descriptive and personal essay, travel-writing, and reviews. Throughout
the semester students will work on series of short weekly papers. Towards the end
of the course, they will complete a longer piece of work in a particular area of
interest. Students will read their work in class as often as possible, with classes
functioning as workshops. During the semester, the instructor will assign readings
that correspond to the area of non-fiction we are focusing on at a particular point,
and these readings will be discussed in class. Limited to 12.
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ENG 0011-01
Intermediate Journalism
Levinson, N
Journalism is in flux and how news media will function in the coming years is
up for grabs. Still, getting the story by tuning into events and convincing people
to tell you what you need to know; finding and using sources effectively; investigating
and analyzing events; and reporting them accurately and engagingly remain the nuts
and bolts of good journalism. This course offers an unusual opportunity for students
with some journalism experience to sharpen their reporting and writing skills while
learning the craft and business of the field. You will work independently, covering
topics of your choosing, as you practice writing news and feature stories regularly
for print and electronic publications. The class will also discuss ethical, legal
and practical issues, at times meeting with professional journalists. Please note:
Qualified students should be familiar with the basics of news writing.
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ENG 0013-01
Writing Fiction: Advanced
Wilson, J
More advanced than English 10, English 13 is open without permission to students
who have already taken at least two fiction-writing courses at any level. Students
who have not taken two courses but who have done a fair amount of writing on their
own may be admitted with permission of the instructor. English 13 may be repeated
for credit.
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ENG 0016-01
Forms of Poetry
Gosztyla, M
This course offers a more advanced approach to writing than English 6, as students
put a greater pressure on experience and therefore the language of poetry. A number
of contemporary texts will serve us as we investigate the tensions created between
form and content, content and context. Our primary text will be the student work
as we discuss the issues raised in your poems and experiment with various approaches
to the language. At least eight poems will be turned in at the end of the term.
A few short papers will be assigned as well.
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