English 2351: Introduction to Creative Writing (and Film)

Instructor: Zachary Ostraff

Email: zachary.ostraff@ttu.edu

Office Hours: via Zoom

Course Description 

The art of storytelling, the art of writing, comes from a practice of intentionality. At times it can be tempting to think writing is a subjective field, that a course like this is graded based on preference; however, this is wrong. Writing is a series of choices, an implementation of techniques that combine to give the reader an experience. As a writer becomes more intentional with their decisions—when and where to apply particular techniques—and practices how to achieve particular outcomes, their writing becomes better. As your instructor, my goal for each of you is simply for you to become a better and more competent creative writer.

In this course we will focus on short-form fiction and nonfiction. I’ve chosen the short form of these genres because of time restrictions and my belief that writing is a practice of intentionality; meaning, that anyone can have a moment of genius, but a good writer is someone that can repeat their successes. In order to practice this intentionality, we will do weekly readings, writings, and provide peer feedback based on specific tools, techniques, and patterns of writing. This trifecta of practice, will, hopefully, provide a culture of learning and growth. Although this course’s main objective is writing, we’ll also examine storytelling techniques in film as a way to inform our writing.

This course fulfills the Language, Philosophy, and Culture Requirement for TTU’s Core Curriculum. Prerequisites for this course are ENGL 1301 & 1302. Additionally, this course prepares students to take the upper level, single genre-creative writing courses of ENGL-3351 and ENGL-4351.

ADA Statement:

If there is an accommodation that you need/or would like in order to be successful in class, please let me know as soon as possible. My goal is to make my course accessible to all students regardless of the personal circumstances. If you have particular needs in terms of online coursework that is different from your needs for in-person coursework, please let me know about those as well.

Any student who, because of a disability, may require special arrangements in order to meet the course requirements should contact the instructor as soon as possible to make any necessary arrangements. Students should present appropriate verification from Student Disability Services during the instructor’s office hours. Please note: instructors are not allowed to provide classroom accommodations to a student until appropriate verification from Student Disability Services has been provided. For additional information, please contact Student Disability Services in West Hall or call 806-742-2405.

Required Texts:

·       Field Guide to Writing Flash Fiction (ISBN: 978-0978984861)

·       Field Guide to Writing Flash Nonfiction (ISBN: 978-0984616664)

·       Moonshot: The Indigenous Comics Collection Volume 1 (ISBN: 978-0228706205)

·       Movie Purchase/Rentals as required: Stranger than Fiction; He Loves Me, He loves Me Not; Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind; Tree of Life; The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit; The Secret Life of Walter Mitty; Castaway on the Moon

·       Readings posted on our course Blackboard page 

Required Materials for In-Class Attendance:

·      A laptop and headphones (everyone will be required to access Zoom on both class days, regardless of whether you are in the classroom or participating through video conference)

·      A face mask that meets university requirements (in-class requirement)

·      Access to all assigned readings for the day (digital readings can be access through a device)

Required Materials for Virtual Attendance:

·      A stable internet connection/computer (virtual class requirement)

·      A microphone (in your computer) or headphones with a microphone (if needed, to filter out background noise)

·      A quiet, meeting-appropriate space for our class meeting (an office or a desk, NOT your bed, or your car)

·      Access to all assigned readings for the day (digital readings can be access through a device but hardcopy readings need to be brought to class)

ETIQUETTE FOR ZOOM MEETINGS:

·       You will need to have a microphone connected to your computer; it is my strong preference that you also have a webcam.

·       You will not engage in any other activities (cooking, cleaning, driving, etc.) during class meetings.

·       You will participate in class discussions as if you were sitting in a face-to-face class. I strongly prefer that students keep their webcams on if they are able to do so, as this helps class discussion and class community.

·       Keep your microphone muted until you want to speak.

·       Please use Zoom’s “raise hand” function and I will call on you. You may also use the text chat to get my attention.

·       Try to be in a quiet area with no distractions

·       If you would like to use a Zoom background, please choose an image that is not distracting

Course Learning Objectives

 In this class, we will develop our:

·       literary vocabulary

·       critical reading habits of our own work, the work of peers, and of established writers

·       definitions for fiction and nonfiction

·       articulations of our personal writing aesthetic

·       constructive and thoughtful criticism of our work, the work of our peers, and of established writers

·       participation as members in the literary community

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Core Curriculum Objectives and

Assessments:

Critical Thinking Skills (CT): To include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information. Assessment: final portfolio, discussion, writing and commenting on work

Communication Skills (COM): To include effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and visual communication. Assessment: in-class discussion and workshop, statement of aesthetics, final reading, writing assignments.

Teamwork (TW): To include the ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal. Assessment: commenting on the work of peers, considering critiques of creative work from others, reading and considering works from various voices and perspectives.

 Social Responsibility (SR): To include intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national and global communities. Assessment: outside reading attendance and reflection, reading and writing assignments, discussions

 Personal Responsibility (PR): To include the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making. Assessment: writing and revision, discussion, reading assignments

Texas Tech Student Learning Objectives and Assessments:

 Identify methodologies of historical, literary, philosophical, and/or aesthetic research and recognize their applicability to everyday life. Assessment: readings, final portfolio, discussion, outside reading reflection

 Develop analytical arguments in written and/or oral forms. Assessment: statement of aesthetics, workshop written and oral comments, reading discussion, response papers, outside reading reflection

Evaluate events, ideas, and artistic expressions in terms of multiple cultural contexts and value systems. Assessment: readings, discussions, workshop, final portfolio, outside reading reflection

Demonstrate ways in which the humanities are fundamental to the health and survival of any society. Assessment: written assignments, workshop, discussion, final portfolio

Humanities Competency Statement:

Students graduating from Texas Tech University should be able to: think critically, demonstrate an understanding of the possibility of multiple interpretations, cultural contexts, and values.

Attendance:

In general, if you are ill, do not attend class. Instead, email me, your instructor, and you will be excused. If you are excused because of illness, you will still be responsible for the work. However, if your illness interferes with your ability to complete the work on time, please let me know and we can work out an alternative timeline for submission.  

University policy allows two kinds of absences:

Observances of official religious events (OP 34.19). “A student who intends to observe a religious holy day should make that intention known to me prior to the absence. A student who is absent for the observance of a religious holy day shall be allowed to complete an assignment scheduled for that day within a reasonable time after the absence.”

University business or university-sponsored trips (OP 34.04). “Department chairpersons, directors, or others responsible for a student representing the university on officially approved trips must notify the student’s instructors of the departure and return schedules. The instructor so notified must not penalize the student, although the student is responsible for material missed. Any student absent because of university business must be allowed to make up missed work within a reasonable span of time or have alternate grades substituted for work due to an excused absence.”

Typically, absences that are not “University Approved” will be considered on a case-by-case basis. It is your responsibility to make-up any missed work.

FACE-TO-FACE WITH ROTATING ATTENDANCE

All face-to-face classes will follow a hybrid model using rotating attendance, detailed below. The general principle is that, in order to allow students to spread out in the physical classroom, only half the students will be physically present on any given day, while the others will attend synchronously online. These groups will alternate so that all students will experience both modalities.

·       The course will be divided in half by last name.

·       One group will attend in person on Mondays and online on Wednesdays.

·       The other group will attend online on Mondays and in person on Wednesdays.

·       Both groups will attend synchronously online on Fridays.

CONTINGENCY STATEMENT

If you get sick:

·       Stay home.

·       Follow the following steps:

·       Call Student Health Services at 806.743.2848 or your health care provider. After hours and on weekends contact TTU COVID-19 Helpline at [TBA].

·       Self-report as soon as possible using the Dean of Students COVID-19 webpage. This website has specific directions about how to upload documentation from a medical provider and what will happen if your illness renders you unable to participate in classes for more than one week.

·       If your illness is determined to be COVID-19-related, all remaining documentation and communication will be handled through the Office of the Dean of Students, including notification of your instructors of the period of time you may be absent from and may return to classes.

·       Keep me informed so we can make the appropriate arrangements for your coursework. Although you will still be expected to complete the assigned work, after you recover, we can arrange new due dates for that work.

If I get sick:

·       I will email you before class to let you know.

·       Class will become asynchronous until I am recovered.

·       Assignments will be turned in online.

·       Reading and due dates will still apply unless otherwise notified.

If the university moves to online only classes:

Because this is already a hybrid course, if the university decides to move courses entirely online, there will be very little change. The only real change will be that the class will no longer be divided into groups and everyone will meet online every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday via the Zoom link already provided. Things that will stay the same:

·       Class meetings will run just like before, with lecture/discussion/group activities—just via Zoom.

·       Because we already submit all the assignments via Blackboard, all assignments, due dates, and readings remain the same as before.

·       Course policies, including the attendance policy and academic integrity policy, will remain in effect as listed.

·       Students must be in the Zoom meeting, awake, and engaged in order to count as present

Protective Face Coverings:

The Texas Tech University System has implemented a mandatory Facial Covering Policy to ensure a safe and healthy classroom experience. Current research on the COVID-19 virus suggests that there is a significant reduction in the potential for transmission of the virus from person to person by wearing a mask/facial covering that covers the nose and mouth areas. Because of the potential for transmission of the virus, and to be consistent with the University’s requirement, students in this class are to wear a mask/facial covering before, during, and after class. Observing safe distancing practices within the classroom by spacing out and wearing a mask/facial covering will greatly improve our odds of having a safe and healthy in-person class experience. Any student choosing not to wear a mask/facial covering during class will be directed to leave the class and will be responsible to make up any missed class content or work.

For more information about protective face coverings, see the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Protective face coverings help to protect others in case you’re infected but do not exhibit symptoms and help to protect you if others are infected. The CDC recommends the following practices for wearing your face covering correctly:

·       Wash your hands before putting on your face covering

·       Put it over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin

·       Try to fit it snugly against the sides of your face

·       Make sure you can breathe easily

·       Keep the covering on your face the entire time you’re in public

·       Don’t put the covering around your neck or up on your forehead

·       Don’t touch the face covering, and, if you do, wash your hands

·       Take off your cloth face covering carefully, when you’re home

·       Students seeking a medical exception for this policy should contact Student Disability Services.

Late Work Policies:

A note about absences and workshop material:  Since this class largely relies on peer evaluation of work, if you miss class for any reason you are still expected to post peer critiques of the weekly creative pieces that were workshopped while you were absent in a timely manner on Blackboard.  If you are scheduled to turn in your work on the day that you miss class, you are expected to post it to Blackboard on time.

Participation: Since participation hinges upon being in class, no makeup work is accepted for missed participation.

Workshop/Feedback: Since the majority of the assignments for this class need to be turned in in a timely manner, you will lose points when feedback is turned in late. I will award partial credit for feedback submitted after the deadline because your peers want your feedback, late or not! However, if you are late turning in a piece for workshop, your peers are not obligated to comment on your work.

Reading Responses: Reading responses are expected to be turned in each Wednesday. Five percent will be deducted each calendar day it is late.

Class Decorum:

TTU is a community of faculty, students, and staff that enjoys an expectation of cooperation, professionalism, and civility during the conduct of all forms of university business, including the conduct of student–student and student–faculty interactions in and out of the classroom. Further, the classroom is a setting in which an exchange of ideas and creative thinking should be encouraged and where intellectual growth and development are fostered.

You are a professional student and are expected to act accordingly. You are expected to be respectful towards your instructor and your classmates at all times. I expect you to be tolerant and open minded of all opinions, although my classroom is no place for misogynistic, homophobic, racist, or in any other way disrespectful or hurtful comments. This classroom should be viewed as a safe place for learning and personal growth. I will not tolerate any disrespect, mean spirited sarcasm and/or comments, or bullying (whether in class or online) toward your peers, nor toward myself. Any hostile or close-minded behavior will result in your dismissal from class, and you will be expected to meet with me to discuss your classroom conduct.

Please note that we will be working with non-fiction and fiction. Our work will often draw from our own lives and our own personal, sometimes difficult, experiences. We must tread carefully through these waters, always keeping our peers and an inclusive classroom in mind. If ever there is any problem, please contact me ASAP. No student should ever feel unsafe, attacked, or alienated in our shared space.

Academic Integrity Statement:

 Academic integrity is taking responsibility for one’s own class and/or course work, being individually accountable, and demonstrating intellectual honesty and ethical behavior. Academic integrity is a personal choice to abide by the standards of intellectual honesty and responsibility. Because education is a shared effort to achieve learning through the exchange of ideas, students, faculty, and staff have the collective responsibility to build mutual trust and respect. Ethical behavior and independent thought are essential for the highest level of academic achievement, which then must be measured. Academic achievement includes scholarship, teaching, and learning, all of which are shared endeavors. Grades are a device used to quantify the successful accumulation of knowledge through learning. Adhering to the standards of academic integrity ensures grades are earned honestly. Academic integrity is the foundation upon which students, faculty, and staff build their educational and professional careers. [Texas Tech University (“University”) Quality Enhancement Plan, Academic Integrity Task Force, 2010]

TTU RESOURCES FOR DISCRIMINATION, HARASSMENT, AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE:

 Texas Tech University is committed to providing and strengthening an educational, working, and living environment where students, faculty, staff, and visitors are free from gender and/or sex discrimination of any kind. Sexual assault, discrimination, harassment, and other Title IX violations are not tolerated by the University. Report any incidents to the Office for Student Rights & Resolution, (806)-742-SAFE (7233) or file a report online at titleix.ttu.edu/students. Faculty and staff members at TTU are committed to connecting you to resources on campus. Some of these available resources are: TTU Student Counseling Center, 806-742-3674,

https://www.depts.ttu.edu/scc/ (Provides confidential support on campus.) TTU 24-hour Crisis Helpline, 806-742-5555, (Assists students who are experiencing a mental health or interpersonal violence crisis. If you call the helpline, you will speak with a mental health counselor.) Voice of Hope Lubbock Rape Crisis Center, 806-763-7273, voiceofhopelubbock.org (24-hour hotline that provides support for survivors of sexual violence.) The Risk, Intervention, Safety and Education (RISE) Office, 806-742-2110, https://www.depts.ttu.edu/rise/ (Provides a range of resources and support options focused on prevention education and student wellness.) Texas Tech Police Department, 806-742- 3931, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/ttpd/ (To report criminal activity that occurs on or near Texas Tech campus.)

Coursework Breakdown

In-class Activities: (100pts)

You are expected to come to class prepared to discuss readings and peer writing. Any in-class writing activity or group activity will be considered as participation. Participation will be graded on a “completion” basis, meaning, if you participate in the above activities, you will receive full credit for that activity and if you don’t, no credit will be given. Your daily score will show up in the grade column for attendance. If you are tardy and miss participation activities, you will be given a zero for those activities that you miss.

Weekly Reading Response: (100pts) 

Each week there will be 2-3 readings assigned, depending on length. These readings will be found in the textbooks or on Blackboard as PDFs. We will discuss these readings every Wednesday. Before class on Wednesday it is expected that you will do the reading and write a short (300-400 word) response to the reading.

Stories/Essays: (150pts or 25pts per story)

During the semester you will be expected to write six short (500-1000 word) creative pieces based on assigned prompts. Three of the stories need to be fiction, the other three nonfiction. These writings will be due before class for Friday workshops according to the schedule. In class we will break into groups of 3-4 and share what we’ve written.

Alternative Forms (100pts)

In addition to the short stories you’ll write, you’ll also create two alternative forms of storytelling: one of these must be a short film (no longer than 5 minutes), the other form will be a short (1 page) graphic novel.

Feedback: (100pts)

 A large part of the creative writing process is sharing our work and receiving/providing feedback. Each week you will be expected to provide peer feedback via Blackboard for one of your classmates. After bringing your weekly writing to class, and sharing with your group, you will also need to upload it onto Blackboard. This piece will then be randomly assigned to another classmate for review.

Final Portfolio: (200pts)

The final portfolio will consist of two polished pieces of writing and your two alternative form assignments. It is expected that you will select and revise the pieces of writing that originated with the weekly write-ups.

A = 94 – 100%                A- = 90 – 93%

B+ = 87 – 89%                B = 83 – 86%                  B- = 80 – 82%    

C+ = 77 – 79%                C = 73 – 76%                 C- = 70 – 72%

D+ = 67 – 69%                D = 63 – 66%                 D- = 60 – 62%

F = below 60%

Tentative Schedule:

Week 1: Fiction

Week 2: story 1, Plot

Week 3: story 2, Narrator

Week 4: Story 3, Character

Week 5: revision

Week 6: Introduction to nonfiction

Week 7: story 4, Imagery, Language

Week 8: story 5, Shape/structure

Week 9: story 6, Time

Week 10: revision

Week 11: film project (draft)

Week 12: film project (final)

Week 13: graphic novel (draft)

Week 14: graphic novel (novel)

Week 15: portfolio