TD 315 Playwriting I

Unique: 34723

Instructor: Marinelli, Daria

Meets: T and TH, 2-3:30pm, WIN B.202

This course introduces students to the basic tools needed to generate and interrogate new plays. Through reflection on the qualities that make for engaging scripts, we will scrutinize our own ideas about what plays ARE or MUST DO in written form. We will read plays for their structures, for their stories, for their characters, images, etc. We will pick them apart and then piece them back together. We will ask ourselves, “How does this thing work?”

TD 315 Playwriting I

Unique: 34724

Instructor: Hopkins, Isaac

Meets: T and TH, 3:30-5pm, WIN B.202

This course introduces students to the basic tools needed to generate and interrogate new plays. Through reflection on the qualities that make for engaging scripts, we will scrutinize our own ideas about what plays ARE or MUST DO in written form. We will read plays for their structures, for their stories, for their characters, images, etc. We will pick them apart and then piece them back together. We will ask ourselves, “How does this thing work?”

Instructor:  La Salle, P

Unique #:  34725

Semester:  Spring 2019

Cross-lists:  n/a

Restrictions:  CRW Certificate students

Computer Instruction: No

Prerequisites: One of the following: C L 315, E 303D (or 603B), (316K,) 316L, 316M, 316N, 316P, or T C 303D (or 603B).

Description: The beginning of the course will stress the development of skills in the various aspects of narration, including writing description, probing character, and plotting.  The latter part of the course will involve the writing and rewriting of a complete short story.

Texts: The Norton Anthology of Short Fiction, Cassill, ed.

Requirements & Grading: Four writing assignments: 90%; Attendance and participation: 10%.

Instructor:  Berry, B

Unique #:  34735

Semester:  Spring 2019

Cross-lists:  n/a

Restrictions:  CRW Certificate students

Computer Instruction:  No

Prerequisites: One of the following: CRW 325 (or E 325), 325F (or E 325F), 325M, 325P (or E 325P).

Description: “Literature for Writers” is a fledgling course, though new courses are frequently the perfect opportunity in which to create unique and vibrant writing.  CRW 330, originally created for graduate creative writers, is only in its second semester at the undergraduate level, so we are all getting in on the ground floor of what I plan to be a memorable course.  The class will introduce to creative writers literary readings that inspire, motivate, and encourage the best from one’s own work.  Sportswriter Red Smith famously quipped “Writing’s easy.  You just sit down at the typewriter and open a vein.”  But focused assignments and professional advice on what to write and how to do so can make the job easier, ideally resulting in solid, memorable results.  Thoughtful direction, motivation, and imaginative prompts that seek imaginative responses are tools of the trade that I will use to encourage the best writing from my students, forging a strong foundation for the future of your craft, what I like to call the writing life.

We will look with a careful eye at several successful writers whose prose offers highly “teachable” literature.  We will focus on such strategies as point of view, voice, place, atmosphere, author imitation, character names and development, and of course plot.  We will neither study nor be writing sci-fi, fantasy (gothic or otherwise), or YA (as in Young Adult).

Texts: We will most likely be using a textbook by the aptly named Francine Prose, Reading for Writers: A Guide for People Who Love Books and for Those Who Want to Write Them.  (I might also be using various writing examples and suggestions from Janet Burroway’s Imaginative Writing: The Elements of Craft, but this text will not be required.)  We will also be reading Australian writer Kate Jennings’ novel Snake, a unique novel in its plot and telling, probably like nothing you have ever read.  We will read from master stylist Ernest Hemingway’s first story collection, In Our Time, published when Hemingway was 27.  We will also be reading a memoir, which is what I am working on in my own writing at present, so I won’t have a final choice in that important category until nearer the beginning of our course.  I will post required course texts on Canvas when they are available.

Requirements & Grading: There will be weekly writing briefs, written responses to both the readings and my own writing assignment concoctions (which I try to make challenging, fun, and rewarding).  One piece of writing will be initiated early and revised through the semester.  Specifics will be outlined on the course syllabus, presently a work in progress.

Instructor:  LaSalle, P

Unique #: 34745

Semester:  Spring 2019

Cross-lists:  n/a

Restrictions:  CRW Certificate students

Computer Instruction: No

Prerequisites: CRW 325F (or E 325F), or 325M.

Description: This is an intermediate fiction-writing course.

The student will be responsible for two complete short stories, 10-15 pages each.

Student work will be examined in class with workshop discussion, and the student will meet with the instructor in conference to discuss projects and progress.

There will also be discussion of some larger ideas concerning theory and technique of fiction writing, reading from an anthology of short stories, and a project involving reading and reporting on literary magazines.

Requirements & Grading: The grade will be a matter, essentially, of the quality of the written work (90%); in-class quizzes and class participation will also be figured in (10%).

This is a writing course with no final exam.

Instructor:  Fortmeyer, K

Unique #:  34760

Semester:  Spring 2019

Cross-lists:  n/a

Restrictions:  CRW Certificate students

Computer Instruction: No

Prerequisites: CRW 325F (or E 325F), or 325M.

Description: This is an intermediate course in fiction writing, designed for students who have taken Fiction Writing (325F or 325M) and have a serious interest in writing fiction.

A significant portion of the class will be conducted in workshop format, supplemented by discussion of readings on Canvas focusing on the technique and craft of fiction writing.  The workshop is designed to develop writing skills as well as reading and critiquing skills, so active class participation is key.  It’ll be okay, I promise.

All work must be original and written for this class, not for another class taken earlier or concurrently.

Texts: Students are responsible for reading classmates’ workshop stories as well as some published stories for discussion of craft.  These additional readings will be provided in class or posted on Canvas.

Requirements & Grading: Students will write two original short stories (each 8-15 pages, double-spaced) to be discussed in workshop, and revise one.  Students are responsible for writing and turning in detailed critiques (1-2 pages, double-spaced).

Grading:  1st story 25%; 2nd story 25%; in-class participation 20%; written critiques 20%, short story revision 10%.  Attendance is mandatory, and more than three absences will negatively affect the final grade. There is no final exam.

Instructor:  Fortmeyer, K

Unique #:  34755

Semester:  Spring 2019

Cross-lists:  n/a

Restrictions:  CRW Certificate students

Computer Instruction: No

Prerequisites: CRW 325F (or E 325F), or 325M.

Description: This is an intermediate course in fiction writing, designed for students who have taken Fiction Writing (325F or 325M) and have a serious interest in writing fiction.

A significant portion of the class will be conducted in workshop format, supplemented by discussion of readings on Canvas focusing on the technique and craft of fiction writing.  The workshop is designed to develop writing skills as well as reading and critiquing skills, so active class participation is key.  It’ll be okay, I promise.

All work must be original and written for this class, not for another class taken earlier or concurrently.

Texts: Students are responsible for reading classmates’ workshop stories as well as some published stories for discussion of craft.  These additional readings will be provided in class or posted on Canvas.

Requirements & Grading: Students will write two original short stories (each 8-15 pages, double-spaced) to be discussed in workshop, and revise one.  Students are responsible for writing and turning in detailed critiques (1-2 pages, double-spaced).

Grading:  1st story 25%; 2nd story 25%; in-class participation 20%; written critiques 20%, short story revision 10%.  Attendance is mandatory, and more than three absences will negatively affect the final grade. There is no final exam.

Instructor:  Harvey, J (Carey, E)

Unique #: 34750

Semester:  Spring 2019

Cross-lists:  n/a

Restrictions:  CRW Certificate students

Computer Instruction: No

Prerequisites: CRW 325F (or E 325F), or 325M.

Description: We will discuss, criticize, and write short fiction.  Students will read each other’s work with rigor and generosity.  Students will write three original stories for class.

Class Policies: Stories will be submitted via e-mail to your fellow students the morning your story is due.  Make sure your work is double-spaced and page-numbered.

Stories should be at least 8 pages and no longer than 25.  No novel excerpts, please.  All work must be original—both your own work, and written for this class. Please do not recycle work written for other courses.

Please do not write stories with characters invented by other authors.  And, of course, do not submit work written by other people, even substantially rewritten. For the purposes of this class, I also ask that you do not allow other people to edit your work.  For additional information on Academic Integrity, see http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs/acadint.php.

A workshop class is a community, if you do not show up to discuss your colleagues work, there’s no reason for them to read yours with any attention.  Much of what you will learn about fiction will be from each other—you will see how actual readers interpret and respond to your work.  If you miss the day of your own workshop you may receive an F for the assignment.

You may miss two classeswithout it affecting the final grade in your class. You will fail the class after four absences.  Perfect attendance will improve your grade.  Please let me know ahead of time if you know you will miss a class for any reason.

Please be on time to class.  More than four late arrivals will affect your final grade.

Laptops are not allowed to be open and on during class.  Please bring in hard copies of all notes you may need to consult.

All work must be original—that is both your own work, and written for this class.  Please do not recycle work written for other courses.  Do not submit work written by other people, even substantially rewritten. That includes characters and scenarios: please, no fan fiction or alternate versions of other people’s published work.  If you have any questions, please talk to me.  For additional information on Academic Integrity, see http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs/acadint.php.

FOR WORKSHOP:  you are required to read the other students’ work and to type at least two paragraphs of respectful critical response.  Please bring in two copies of your critiques, one for the author, and one for me in hard copy.  If I don’t have a hard copy of your student critiques, they will be marked as missing.  You are responsible for critiques even if you are absent for the workshop.

GRADING:  Your final grade will be based on both your written work in the class, and also your participation.  You will receive letter grades on written assignments.

EXTRA CREDIT:  You may earn extra credit by attending readings by authors on campus or at local bookstores and writing a one-page response.  If you are unsure of whether a writer qualifies or not, please ask me.

Instructor:  McCracken, E

Unique #:  34775

Semester:  Spring 2019

Cross-lists:  n/a

Restrictions:  CRW Certificate students

Computer Instruction: No

Prerequisites: CRW 340F (or E 341).

Description: This is an advanced fiction workshop. Students will be required to write either three stories, or two stories and one substantial revision.  Stories should be at least 8 pages and no longer 25 pages long.  These are arbitrary limits, of course—there are fine short stories both longer and shorter.  No novel excerpts, please.

All work must be original—both your own work, and written for this class.  Please do not recycle work written for other courses.  Please do not write stories with characters invented by other authors.  And, of course, do not submit work written by other people, even substantially rewritten.

Students will read each other’s work and, for each class, write a page of critique for the workshopped story.

Requirements & Grading: FIRST STORY, 20%; SECOND STORY, 20%; THIRD STORY/REVISION, 20%; WRITTEN COMMENTS ON OTHER STUDENTS’ WORK, 20%; CLASS PARTICIPATION, 20%.

Instructor: Edward Carey

Unique #: 34780

Semester: Spring 2019

Cross-lists: n/a

Restrictions: Creative Writing Honors

Computer Instruction: No

Prerequisites: Consent of the honors advisor.

Description: This division of the Honors Creative Writing Project is intended for advanced students in fiction, those who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to writing and wish to work under supervision on a particular project to culminate in a final creative thesis.  In addition to providing an opportunity for creative concentration, the CRW HP allows students to further refine their analytical and critical capabilities through intensive peer review workshops.

Please note:  Applicants must have completed or be enrolled in their third upper-division Creative Writing certificate course at the time of application.  A University Grade Point Average of GPA of at least 3.33 and a grade point average of at least 3.66 in program courses are required for the Honors Creative Writing Certificate to be awarded.

Requirements and Grading: Grades will be based on the final thesis of original creative work (50%); thesis status reports (15%); class participation (25%); and a thesis reading (10%). 

Attendance is mandatory. More than three absences may negatively impact the final grade.