224: Creative Process
sina.queyras@concordia.ca
Location
: H-407 T-TH 1445 - 1600
Office
Hours LB: 674-2 Wednesday 1-2 or by appointment
In
this class we will explore three genres of writing: drama, fiction and poetry. We’ll
try to keep track of the differences between the genres—and that won’t always
be easy. By the end of this class you will have a range of creative writing
skills, and a vocabulary to begin to discuss and assess the work you read and
write in all three genres. You’ll also have an idea of which genre you might
want to explore more fully. While the class is a lecture class it will also be a
workshop environment. Students will be required to read extensively and do a
lot of in-class writing as well as discuss peer writing.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT OF ME
IN CLASS
I
believe that creative writing is best taught in the moment, in the classroom, in
action. Which is why, even in a large class, I will primarily use a group
workshop method with in-class reading, writing, and discussion. I will call on
you to share, and to participate. Some people find this difficult, but taking
risks is a key creative skill and my aim is to help you develop that. Please
let me know if you find this extremely uncomfortable and we can come up with a
solution.
OFFICE HOURS
If
you come to office hours be prepared. I am available to answer specific
questions about issues relating to class discussions or assignments. Please do
not ask me to read work in advance of submission, or work done outside of
class. Regrettably, I do not have the time. I do, however, have a lot of energy
for your questions in class.
Questions
are best asked in class so that the entire class can benefit from the
discussion. I do not, as a rule, respond to emails wanting homework, or clarification
of class discussions, but I do answer all questions in class and/or office
hours. If you miss class, please look at the syllabus, or ask a fellow student
what you missed. Fair warning: creative writing classes can’t be recapped
either by email or in person. Assignments evolve out of class discussion and
are not available to you should you miss class.
Remember,
this is a creative process class. It will be creative. The syllabus is a guide, but may change during the course of the
semester as the class evolves.
WHAT
I EXPECT OF YOU
ATTENDANCE
Because
we will either have class discussions or workshop each class, attendance is
especially important and will be factored into your grade. You can be sure you
get full 25% of your final grade simply by being present every class. You can
miss 1 class without any excuse. This should cover illness, family emergencies,
etc. If you miss more than 3 classes you risk failing the course. I understand
that not all classes require full attendance, This one does. If you don’t plan on attending the class
regularly, this may not be the class for you.
Having said that, feel free to
miss 2 classes a semester without letting me know.
IN-CLASS EXERCISES
Be
prepared to share assignments in class. I may call upon you, or you may
volunteer to read your work and allow us to discuss it. You will be required to
keep these assignments. You may or may not want to expand on them and build
them into the larger assignments, but I will occasionally go around the room
while we are talking and check that you are working. I may also, spontaneously,
ask you to hand them in. Again, if you are extremely shy, please come and see
me during office hours. We can devise a plan to accommodate you.
PARTICIPATION & ATTENDANCE
Everyone
who shows up for every class gets the full 25% attendance grade. The 25%
participation grade is more difficult. How can you be sure you get full marks? Be
a good listener: take notes during discussions, when reading, or listening to
student work. Ask questions. Comment. Be engaged. If I don’t hear
from you every class, you aren’t likely to get full participation marks. If you
attend each class, but have your ear buds in and are watching a movie, you are
not actually participating. Don’t think I’ll notice? Promise, I will.
Worried
you don’t know what to say? You don’t have to know, that’s why you are in the
class. You just have to try. The most useful critical position is to figure out
what is working in a piece of writing. Try to describe that.
ASSIGNMENTS
You
will hand in three (3-5) page assignments
over the semester, one for each genre. All work handed in must be
word-processed, type-written, double-spaced, size 12 font. Do not exceed the
page limit for the exercise. Paginate,
ensure your name is on the work, and staple or paper clip the pages together.
WORKSHOP
We
will discuss in-class writing on a regular basis. As well there will be days
set aside to workshop student work in each genre. Be sure to offer your work up
for discussion.
PORTFOLIO
You
will find a coversheet at the end of this syllabus. Please keep it, enter in
your writing assignments as we proceed and attach to your final portfolio. It
will consist of a maximum of (15) pages of writing produced over the semester
including one piece of revised, polished work along with exercises and
assignments from the term. I will not accept portfolios over (15) pages, nor
will I accept portfolios under (13) pages. As above, all work must be word
processed, etc.
REQUIRED
TEXTS from Concordia Bookstore
(CP) 224 Course Packet
(OF) Open Field: 30 Contemporary
Canadian Poets, ed. Sina
Queyras, Persea 2005
Top Girls, Caryl Churchhill
Also,
please check the blog that goes with this class: http://scrimpt.blogspot.ca/
GRADING
Attendance 25%
Assignments
25%
Participation 25%
Final
Portfolio 25%
