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Maui Community College
Course Outline
1. Alpha and Number: ENG 104
Course Title: Introduction to Creative Writing
Credits: 3
Date of Outline: 3/18/04
2. Course Description: Explores the principles and practice of creative writing through readings and composition in several major genres.
2. Contact Hours/Type: 3 Hours/Lecture-Lab
4. Prerequisites: ENG 100 with at least a C, or consent.
Corequisites:
Recommended Preparation:
Approved by Date
5. General Course Objectives:
Acquaints students with basic principles and practices of creative writing through readings and composition in at least three genres drawn from poetry, drama, creative non-fiction and short fiction.
6. Student Learning Outcomes
For assessment purposes, these are linked to #7. Recommended Course Content.
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
a. learn and utilize techniques for overcoming writing blocks;
b. develop awareness of various audiences;
c. develop critical reading skills for assessment of their own work and that of other writers;
d. use creative writing in a variety of genres to discover and express ideas, feelings and attitudes;
e. recognize and be able to employ basic elements of creative writing;
f. utilize appropriate technology to gather information, analyze data, and/or communicate with the instructor and others in the class;
g. apply techniques for effective revision of their writing;
h. write, lay out and bind as a book several selected poems they have written during the course;
i. publish a portfolio of selected, carefully edited work from the semester.
7. Recommended Course Content and Approximate Time Spent on Each Topic
Linked to #6. Student Learning Outcomes.
4-6 weeks: Creative non-fiction (a, b, c, d, e, f, g)
4-6 weeks: Short fiction (a, b, c, d, e, f, g)
4-6 weeks: Poetry (a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h)
1-2 weeks: Revision and publication (b, f, g, h)
8. Text and Materials, Reference Materials, Auxiliary Materials and Content (or appropriate substitutions):
Appropriate text(s) and materials will be chosen at the time the course is offered from those currently available in the field. Examples include:
Text(s):
The Creative Writing Guide by Schaefer and Diamond.
Writing Down the Bones by Goldberg.
Miscellaneous:
Articles and other handouts provided by instructor.
Video and audio tapes; guest speakers
Field trips.
9. Recommended Course Requirements
Specific course requirements are at the discretion of the instructor at the time the course is being offered. Suggested requirements might include, but are not limited to:
20-20% Attendance and Participation
15-25% Informal Writing (includes Notebook and exercises)
30-50% Portfolio/Self-bound book
Regular attendance in class, in individual conferences and at resource sites.
A journal (Writer’s Notebook).
Participation in class readings and feedback on student work.
Participation in both in- and out-of-class writing exercises as assigned.
Completion of the following by their respective due dates: one 3-5 page work of creative non-fiction (may be autobiography, interview or other); two or more short stories, each 3 or more pages in length; a self-bound collection of 5 or more Haiku; 8-10 poems in a variety of formal and free verse; a carefully-revised, edited and paginated collection containing non-fiction work, one short story, all (non-Haiku) poetry and 10-15 selected journal pages (need not be typed) demonstrating something of student’s creative process during semester
10. Methods of Instruction and Evaluation:
Instructional methods will vary considerably with instructors. Specific methods will be at the discretion of the instructor teaching the course and might include, but are not limited to:
a. interactive reading and commentary sessions on student work (peer and instructor feedback);
b. trust building exercises;
c. small group and whole class writing exercises;
d. whole class discussion of writing techniques;
e. lecture;
f. handouts, video and audio tapes;
g. visits to resource sites for writers on and off campus.