ENG 227

Introduction to Creative Writing:

{Re}Place
Fall 2018 Hannah Kroonblawd
Section 01 Office: Stevenson 422G
MW, 9:35 Hours: MW 11-12
Stevenson 410 & by appointment
Email: hlkroon@ilstu.edu

OFFICIAL COURSE DESCRIPTION

Opportunity for creative writing of various kinds, such as poetry, fiction, and
nonfiction.

IMPORTANT NOTICE
This syllabus is subject to change to best suit the needs of the class. Always check
ReggieNet for the latest version of this document.

REQUIRED MATERIALS
The Verging Cities, Natalie Scenters-Zapico
Exit West, Mohsin Hamid
access to online texts and/or PDFs as assigned
access to class blog, ReggieNet, and @ilstu.edu email
ability to print copies of work for classmates
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
• Demonstrate, through the production of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and/or
hybrid forms, an ability to implement contemporary language and ideas into
creative works.
• Read, recognize, and interpret literary and craft elements in published works of
poetry and prose.
• Describe, evaluate, and constructively critique student-produced texts in the
workshop setting.
• Demonstrate, through the revision of creative works, an awareness of the
complexity of the revision process.

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
As a member of our classroom community, you are expected to attend class regularly,
perform assigned tasks, and engage in classroom activities, all in a spirit of friendly but
rigorous inquiry. Disruptive or disrespectful activity will result in one warning, after
which you will be instructed to leave and counted as absent for the day. Please note
there is no room in this class for intolerance based upon race, gender, sexual
orientation, disability or religious affiliation; these matters will be open topics for
creative work and discussion this class, but they can only be explored if all participate
with a spirit of open discourse and mutual respect. For more on conduct in the
classroom, please feel free to ask your instructor or consult the ISU Code of Student
Conduct:
http://deanofstudents.illinoisstate.edu/downloads/CodeOfStudentConduct-
Revised5.12.pdf.

ATTENDANCE
Regular and participatory attendance is both expected and essential. Due to the nature
of a workshop-oriented course, absence on a workshop day will automatically result in
a loss of presence-as-participation points for that workshop.

If you are absent for more than two class sessions, your final course grade will be
reduced at a rate of one half of a final grade per absence. Eight absences total, or
twenty percent of the class, will result in a failing grade for the course.
GRADING POLICY
90-100 – A – Exemplary work, above and beyond expected effort.
80-89 – B – Above requirements, demonstrates understanding and application.
70-79 – C – Fulfills general requirements.
60-69 – D – Below general requirements, but still attempts at some understanding.
0-59 – F – Incomplete, shows a lack of understanding and/or effort.

GRADE CALCULATION
25% Unit 1 - Poetry
25% Unit 2 – Non-Fiction
25% Unit 3 – Fiction
5% “Mid”-term Craft Essay
20% Final Project

Unit breakdown includes both prompts/creative projects (60%) and workshop

participation (40%).

UNIT OVERVIEWS
Unit 1 – Poetry
Scenters-Zapico’s The Verging Cities, among other texts
Whole-class workshop, online writing and workshop

Unit 2 – Non-Fiction
Various non-fiction essays
Small-group and paired workshops, online writing and workshop

Unit 3 – Fiction
Hamid’s Exit West, among other texts
Small-group and paired workshops, online writing and workshop

LATE WORK
Late work will be accepted up to two weeks after an assignment is due, after which
point it will be marked in the grade book as a zero. Please contact Hannah if you have
any questions or concerns regarding late work.
COURSE SCHEDULE Overview
Week Events

1 Syllabus and Introductions; Introduction to Creative Writing

2 Poetry: Practice and Craft

3 Poetry, Whole-class Workshop 1

4 Poetry, Whole-class Workshops 2-3

5 Poetry, Whole-class Workshops 4-5

6 Non-Fiction: Practice and Craft

7 Non-Fiction: Practice and Craft

8 Non-Fiction, Small-Group Workshop

9 Non-Fiction, Paired Workshop

10 Fiction: Practice and Craft

11 Fiction: Practice and Craft

12 Fiction, Small-Group Workshop

13 Fiction, Paired Workshop

14 Revision

15 Publication, Class Reading Celebration

Finals Final Portfolio Due (Tuesday)

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
The act of plagiarism, defined by ISU as “unacknowledged appropriation of another’s
work, words, or ideas in any themes, outlines, papers, reports, speeches, or other
academic work,” can result in serious penalties, including a failing grade for the
assignment and further disciplinary action at the University level. For more on proper
citation in an academic context, contact the instructor and/or consult the ISU Code of
Student Conduct:
http://deanofstudents.illinoisstate.edu/downloads/CodeOfStudentConduct-
Revised5.12.pdf.
OUTSIDE RESOURCES

Student Counseling
Student Counseling Services at ISU provides students with a variety of support systems to
manage everyday life issues. Students can receive help from trained professionals on topics
such as individual and group counseling, self-help and assessment, career and life choices,
sexual assault, outreach workshops, and help for friends and family. Emergency walk-in service
is available at Student Services Building, room 320. They may also be contacted via phone
309-438-3655 or online via http://www.counseling.ilstu.edu.

Student Access and Accommodation Services

Any student needing to arrange a reasonable accommodation for a documented disability
and/or medical/mental health condition should contact Student Access and Accommodation
Services at 350 Fell Hall, (309) 438-5853, or visit the website at StudentAccess.IllinoisState.edu

Academic Assistance
The Julia N. Visor Academic Center is a division of University College that provides services and
programs designed to assist students in their pursuit of academic excellence at Illinois State
University. Services and programs include group tutoring in general education courses, one-on-
one writing assistance, workshops designed to enhance student study techniques and
academic skills, one-on-one academic coaching, a computer lab that provides a quiet and
supportive environment for study and the Mary F. English Technology Award program, which
provides a new laptop computer and professional development opportunities for selected
teacher education majors. Located at 12 Vrooman Center (between Manchester and Hewett
Halls). Phone (309) 438-7100, http://ucollege.illinoisstate.edu/about/visor

Diversity Advocacy
Diversity Advocacy helps multicultural and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT)
students find their way at Illinois State University through a variety of resources, programs,
activities and advising. Diversity Advocacy also works to facilitate a supportive campus
environment in which multicultural and LGBT students can flourish academically and socially.
To contact Diversity Advocacy visit 87 Student Services Building room 87, phone (309) 438-
8968 or email Diversityadvocacy@ilstu.edu
Extended Absence/Bereavement
The Office of the Dean of Students can provide notification to instructors when students have
been/will be absent from class(es) for three or more consecutive days or for absence in the
event of a death of a spouse, domestic partner, parent, child, grandparents, grandchild or
sibling, uncle, aunt, niece, nephew, first cousin, in-law, or step-relative. Call (309) 438-2008 if
you would like to make use of either of these services.