Writing from Life (ENGL 73)5 upper-division quarter units Instructor: Professor Juan Velasco Language of Instruction: English
COURSE DESCRIPTION Writing, more than anything else, brings self-awareness— The awareness of who you are, the multiple dimensions of your ‘self,’ and the pleasures of exploring the mystery of life through language and sound. We will seek out the pleasures of writing through memoir, autobiography and dramatic non-fiction writing in a workshop setting. We will read the work of contemporary masters, but we will focus for the most part on writing and evaluating each other’s work. During the first part of the quarter you will develop your understanding of the principles of life writing techniques and forms through the reading of works such as Francisco Jiménez’s The Circuit. During the second part of the quarter you will learn the craft of writing, and the tools for substantive revision of your dramatic non-fiction pieces. Students will be encouraged to explore their diverse cultural experiences and linguistic backgrounds in a creative way. Moreover, these readings will not only develop your skills in writing but also foster your appreciation for the multicultural and multilingual diversity of the American experience.
REQUIRED TEXTS Lifewriting, Fred White The Circuit, Francisco Jiménez A good pocket dictionary (e.g.: American Heritage) to be brought to class.
Reading Autobiography, Sidonie Smith and Julia Watson The Art of Fiction: Notes on Craft for Young Writers, John Gardner Writing for Your Life: A Guide and Companion for the Inner Worlds, Deena Metzger Wild Mind: Living the Writer’s Life, Natalie Goldberg Writing for Story, Jon Franklin Dictee,Theresa Hak Kyun Cha Zami, Audre Lorde It's Not About the Bike, Lance Armstrong
COURSE REQUIREMENTS 1. Regular Attendance and Participation Students are expected to attend, and actively participate in class discussions. This includes presentations and group discussions. These discussions will center on several themes and topics contained in Lifewriting.
2. Performing Autobiography The midterm will consist on a reading to the class based on a draft of your piece approved by the instructor and/or peer educators (length: 15 minutes).
The final exam will involve the writing of an autobiography that engages on your own notion experience and notion of “self”. Students are required to write a twenty five-page final autobiography using the models discussed in class.
4. Writing Portfolio This course requires a lot of reading and writing. It is the student responsibility to keep up with the reading and writing assignments. Writing exercises will be assigned every week; some will focus on a particular technique, others will be geared to your own work in progress No late assignments will be accepted. At the end of the quarter, students will submits all drafts of your assignments.
Students are expected to meet regularly with peer educators and instructor to discuss your autobiography in progress and strategies for revision.
You will work in small groups (your writing “family”) and submit your homework to each other for feedback. Everyone is expected to make substantial comments on the other pieces in the group. I will periodically request you to e-mail or give me the comments you have made on pieces by other’s in your family. You will receive and learn from everybody’s feedback in a space of safety and honesty. With the help of a peer educator you are required to do this work fully and with care.
Final grades will be calculated as follows: Daybook and Assignments 15% Performing Autobiography 25% Final Autobiography 50% Class Attendance and Participation 10% Grading scale: 100-90 A (100-97 A+; 96-94 A; 93-90 A-) 89-80 B (89-87 B+; 86-84 B; 83-80 B-) 79-70 C (79-77 C+; 76-74 C; 73-70 C-) 69-60 D (69-67 D+; 66-64 D; 63-60 D-) |
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