Course Syllabus

Course: ENGL 2260

Division: Humanities
Department: English & Philosophy
Title: Fiction Writing

Semester Approved:
Five-Year Review Semester: Summer 2029
End Semester:

Catalog Description: This course is an introduction to the writing of fiction. Students read and discuss exemplary models and compose a variety of projects of their own. Emphasis is placed on plot, character, dialogue, and description, and other techniques associated with fiction writing. It is recommended that students take ENGL 2250, Introduction to Creative Writing, before taking ENGL 2260.

Semesters Offered: TBA
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 3; Lecture: 3; Lab: 0

Justification: Creative writing is a popular course for both majors and non-majors. ENGL 2250 will offer students an introduction to the craft of creative writing in multiple genres and will offer GE credit. ENGL 2260 complements that class by offering students a chance to delve deeper into the fiction writing process. This course is most like SUU's ENGL 2320 (Creative Writing in the Genres) and Weber's ENGL 2260 (Introduction to Writing Short Fiction). Students who succeed in ENGL 2250 commonly submit work to Weeds and/or join the editorial staff of Weeds. This experience can lead to similar work at senior institutions and be a gateway to graduate work, internships, and employment.


Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will understand fiction writing techniques such as dramaturgy, plot, character, dialogue, description, and setting in the context of the fiction of others.  Student learning will be demonstrated and assessed through class discussions, reading journals, reflection activities, and/or analysis essays.

Students will understand fiction writing techniques such as dramaturgy, plot, character, dialogue, description, and setting in the context of their own fiction writing.  Student learning will be demonstrated and assessed through their original fiction writing, reflection activities, revisions, peer workshops, individual conferences, and/or final portfolio.

Students will understand the value of revision in fiction writing and know how to revise their own writing.  Student learning will be demonstrated and assessed through peer workshops, individual conferences, revisions, and/or final portfolio.

Students will participate successfully in a classroom discussion of student writing, commonly known as a "workshop."  Students will demonstrate this ability by participating actively, knowledgeably, constructively, and politely in peer workshops.


Content:
The typical section of ENGL 2260 focuses on fiction and addresses plot, genre, character, dialogue, description, point of view, theme, style, and various mechanical issues. Students read a variety of published fiction (long or short) and compose 3000-5000 words of original material per semester. The course is conducted as a series of lecture-discussions mixed with "workshops"--i.e. group analyses of student work. Exemplary texts should provide a broad set of perspectives by including fiction by authors of different genders, cultures, ideologies, and time periods. The expression of diverse perspectives should also be encouraged by allowing for creative freedom in students' choice of topics and subgenres.

Key Performance Indicators:
To assess student mastery of outcomes, instructors will use the following:

3000-5000 words of original fiction writing 40 to 60%

Class discussions and/or reading journals 10 to 15%

Peer workshops and/or individual conferences 20 to 30%

Analysis essays and/or reflection assignments 10 to 15%

Revisions and/or final portfolio 0 to 10%


Representative Text and/or Supplies:
Instructor's choice of short stories, novellas, novels, and other forms of fiction.

Fiction Writing by Janet Burroway


Pedagogy Statement:
ENGL 2260 will be taught through practices such as discussion of exemplary works, lessons about key fiction writing techniques, peer workshops where students discuss and give feedback on one another's work, and in-class writing and revision prompts.
In order to promote student success, students will be encouraged to begin where they are as fiction writers, to practice techniques in small, low-stakes assignments, and to view revision and workshops as opportunities for growth and experimentation, rather than criticism or judgement. The instructor will take special care to establish an environment of safe risk-taking, kindness, and respect for one another's process and work.

Instructional Mediums:
Lecture

Online

Maximum Class Size: 15
Optimum Class Size: 15