ADVANCED COMPOSITION / TRAVEL WRITING-ENGL 3212-01 & 02
Spring 2008--(CRN 25508 & 25509)
TR 12:00-1:15pm—G213 (A&S Bldg)
TR 1:30-2:45pm—G211 (A&S Bldg)
Dr. Brigitte Byrd
Office: A&S 210M
brigittebyrd@clayton.edu
Office Phone: (678) 466-4556
http://a-s.clayton.edu/bbyrd/Homepage.htm Office hours: TBA
(and by appointment)
Texts:
The Best American Travel Writing 2007, ed. Tim Susan Orlean--series ed. Jason Wilson (2007)
A Sense of Place, ed. Michael Shapiro (2004)
The Travel Writer’s Handbook, ed. Louise Purwin Zobel and Jacqueline Harmon Butler (2007)
Additional Required Materials:
2 manila folders or envelops in which you will turn your midterm and final portfolios
$20 for copying expenses
Notebook Computer Requirement:
Each CSU student is required to have ready access throughout the semester to a notebook computer that meets faculty-approved hardware and software requirements for the student's academic program. Students will sign a statement attesting to such access. For further information on CSU's Official Notebook Computer Policy, please go to http://itpchoice.clayton.edu/policy.htm.
In-class Use of Student Notebook Computers:
Student notebook computers will be used regularly in the classroom. Computers are required to access course materials and to communicate with me. Access to the internet is mandatory.
Course Objectives:
This course focuses on travel writing, and in a way, the demands of travel writing are identical to those of any kind of creative nonfiction writing: How do you craft the work so that the experience becomes more than itself? How do you relinquish the role of transcriber and take on the cloak of the artist? Not only will students study travel writing through reading an array of travel essays and interviews of established travel writers, but also they will learn the travel writing technique—including writing and selling travel articles to newspapers, magazines, and websites. Each student will have the opportunity to present at least one piece of writing for workshop. To conclude the semester, students will work in small groups to perform a travel writing essay in a new medium.
So, What is it I tell prospective travel writers? The rules are simple enough: get your facts straight and tell us a story.—Tim Cahill
The misperception is that the travel book is about a country. . . . It’s really about the person who’s traveling.—Paul Theroux
Much more a matter of writing than of traveling—the hard part of the journey takes place at the desk.—Pico Iyer
Reading Response Journals:
You will respond to each travel essay assigned. I am looking for an engagement with the text, and most particularly for a study of the technique (rather maybe of one particular aspect of it) employed by its author. I do not want a synopsis of the text: we all read the text thus know what it is about. Length: half a page single-spaced.
Notes on Interviews of Travel Writers:
You will take notes on the reading of the interviews of established travel writers assigned—i.e. you will write down what strikes you as essential, puzzling, effective, interesting, or what you perceive as a good advice on travel writing or becoming/being a travel writer. Length: half a page, single-spaced.
Project Step-by-Step:
Since you have to write a travel article over the semester, I am asking you to write about something that you have never done before or about somewhere where you have never been before—i.e. take a horse riding lesson or go on a trail ride, take a belly dancing class, attend a service at the Hindu Temple of Atlanta, sign up for meditation classes at one of the Atlanta Bhuddist Centers, try each one of the five Ethiopian restaurants in Atlanta. You will prepare by keeping a precise account of each step taken toward the final phase of the project, which is a travel article. These steps will be kept under the following rubrics: 1) Research, 2) Getting Ready to Go, 3) What to Take Along with You, 4) What to look for as You Travel, 5) Put Yourself in Your Reader’s Place, 6) Writing for Others to Read, 7) Asking Questions—The Interview, 8) Bring Back Your Story in Pictures, 9) Twelve Sure-Fire Patterns for Travel Articles, 10) Your Role as a Travel Writer
Final Travel Article:
You will submit one travel article as your final piece. You will thoroughly revise your travel article after the workshop. Length: 5 to 8 pages, double-spaced.
Late work Policy:
I do not accept late work. Late work will receive a 0 unless arrangements are made between us before a planned absence or immediately after class, in the case of a personal emergency. Once we have made arrangements, you will turn the paper in question directly to me.
Performances:
Performances are group projects. Each group will choose a travel writing essay which was assigned over the semester OR a travel writing essay written by a peer who is not in this group and perform it creatively in a new medium. The idea is to end the semester with fun, yet realize what makes good writing—so good that you can “translate” it into a totally different medium.
Conferences:
I do not require a mandatory conference, but I have planed for conference time at the end of the semester during class time (see schedule). Not showing up at a scheduled conference is the equivalent of 2 absences.
Visiting Writers Reading Series:
Mandatory attendance to 3 readings/lectures* including the 2 readings from the Clayton State University Visiting Writers Reading Series. This semester, I have scheduled one event during the day and one event in the evening in order to reduce any schedule conflict. This said, if your school schedule or your work schedule prevents you from attending the two events from the Clayton State University Visiting Writers Reading Series, you need to see me by January 29 so that we may make other arrangements.
*You will notice that I have canceled 3 class meetings this semester in order to make up for your attendance to our Clayton State University Visiting Writers Reading Series (spring 2008) along with your attendance to another reading/lecture on or off campus.
University Policies:
Students must abide by policies in the Student Handbook and the Student Code of Conduct.
http://www.thezonelive.com/zone/02_SchoolStructure/GA_ClaytonStateUniversity/handbook.pdf
http://adminservices.clayton.edu/studentaffairs/StudentHandbook/SCC-2007-08.pdf
Disruption of the Learning Environment
Behavior which disrupts the teaching–learning process during class activities will not tolerated. While a variety of behaviors can be disruptive in a classroom setting, more serious examples include belligerent, abusive, profane, and/or threatening behavior. A student who fails to respond to reasonable faculty direction regarding classroom behavior and/or behavior while participating in classroom activities may be dismissed from class. A student who is dismissed is entitled to due process and will be afforded such rights as soon as possible following dismissal. If found in violation, a student may be administratively withdrawn and may receive a grade of WF.
A more detailed description of examples of disruptive behavior and appeal procedures is provided at: http://a-s.clayton.edu/DisruptiveClassroomBehavior.htm
University Attendance Policy:
Students are expected to attend and participate in every class meeting. Instructors establish specific policies relating to absences in their courses and communicate these policies to the students through the course syllabi. Individual instructors, based upon the nature of the course, determine what effect excused and unexcused absences have in determining grades and upon students’ ability to remain enrolled in their courses. The university reserves the right to determine what excessive absences, whether justified or not, are sufficient causes for institutional withdrawals or failing grades.
Attendance:
Attendance is expected for all class periods. Attendance is mandatory to 3 readings** (2 events from the Visiting Writers Reading Series), all performances, and all workshops. By “mandatory” I mean that failing to comply with the previous requirements will result in dropping one letter grade from your overall grade. An excused absence is an absence for which you provide me with a note from your doctor or other competent authority. Any absence after 2 excused absences will affect your participation grade. After 4 excused or unexcused absences, your overall grade for the course will drop one letter grade then one additional letter grade for each additional absence.
**You will notice that I have canceled 3 class meetings this semester in order to make up for your attendance to 3 readings/lectures (including the 2 events from the Visiting Writers Reading Series).
Plagiarism:
Any type of activity that is considered dishonest by reasonable standards may constitute academic misconduct. Plagiarism is one of the most common forms of academic misconduct. It will not be tolerated. Plagiarism is a counterproductive, non-writing behavior that is unacceptable in a course intended to aid the growth of individual writers. Plagiarism is representing another’s work or part thereof, be it published or unpublished, as one’s own. All instances of academic dishonesty will result in a grade of zero for the work involved. All instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Office of StudentLife/JudicialAffairs. See disciplinary procedures at
http://adminservices.clayton.edu/studentaffairs/StudentHandbook/DP-2007-08.pdf
Disability Services:
Individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact
the Disability Services Coordinator, Student Center 214, 678-466-5445.
http://adminservices.clayton.edu/disability/
Evaluation:
In order to receive a C in this course, you must turn in all the written work below on time, participate in a group performance, and attend 3 readings/lectures (including 2 from the Clayton State University Visiting Writers Reading Series). Remember that attendance is required and that after 4 excused or unexcused absences, your overall grade starts dropping. Similarly attendance is mandatory to all workshops, all performances, and 3 readings/lecture. By “mandatory” I mean that failing to comply with any of the previous requirements will result in dropping one letter grade from your overall grade.
Midterm Portfolio (30%):
4 Journal Responses 10%
4 Notes on Interviews 10%
Participation 10%
Project Step-by-Step (so far) (needs to be in the portfolio)
Final Portfolio (70%):
2 Journal Responses & 2 Notes on Interviews 10%
Project Step-by-Step (10 rubrics) 20%
Travel Article thoroughly revised 20%
Performance 10%
Participation 10%
Peers response evaluation sheet (needs to be in the portfolio)
Process Memo (needs to be in the portfolio)
Grading:
A 90-100 (excellent)
B 80-89 (above average)
C 70-79 (average—i.e. you did everything, but the quality of the work is average)
D 60-69 (you probably forgot to turn in some assignments or did not attend all required events. . . .)
F 60 and below
Mid-term Progress Report
The mid-term grade in this course, which will be issued on February 29, reflects
approximately 30% of the entire course grade. Based on this grade, students may choose to withdraw from the course and receive a grade of "W." Students pursuing this option must fill out an official withdrawal form, available in the Office of the Registrar, by mid-term.
Important dates:
1/28 @ 12:30pm (UC 322): Brigitte Byrd (poetry)
2/26 @ 7:00pm (UC 272): Natasha Trethewey (2007 Poetry Pulitzer Prize)
2/21 MIDTERM PORTFOLIO DUE IN CLASS
3/26 @ 12:30pm (UC 322): Clayton State University Creative Writing Students Reading
4/17 @ 7:00pm (UC 272): Poetry Palooza/Cygnet Launching
4/24 FINAL PORTFOLIO DUE IN CLASS
COURSE SCHEDULE
As most writers do, you will keep a small notebook with you at all time during this term so that you can record thoughts, dreams, observations, and facts. Your notebook then becomes not only a pool of words and ideas for you to use in your creative work but also a place for you to keep track of your facts.
BATW for Best American Travel Writing 2007
TH for The Travel Writer’s Handbook
SP for A Sense of Place
Week 1
1/08 Introduction to the course and to peers, basics of good writing in any form
1/10 TH chapters 1,2,3, discussion about travel article project
Week 2
1/15 BATW Ian Frazier (JR 1), TH chapter 5
1/17 SP Tim Cahill (notes 1), TH chapter 6
Week 3
1/22 BATW Elizabeth Gilbert (JR 2), TH chapter 7
1/24 SP Isabel Allende (notes 2), TH chapter 8
Week 4
*1/28 Poet Brigitte Byrd reads at 12:30pm (UC 267)
1/29 Bring to class your notes on the project step-by-step so far, TH chapter 13
1/31 Class canceled for attending a reading/lecture
Week 5
2/05 BATW David Halberstam (JR 3), TH chapter 14
2/07 SP Pico Iyer (notes 3), TH chapter 15
Week 6
2/12 BATW Ann Patchett (JR 4), TH chapter 16
2/14 SP Bill Bryson (notes 4), TH chapter 18
Week 7
2/19 Class canceled for attending a reading/lecture
2/21 MIDTERM PORTFOLIO DUE IN CLASS, sharing notes on project step-by-step
(so far) and on travel article in progress, sign up for workshop
Week 8
*2/26 2007 Poetry Pulitzer Prize Natasha Trethewey reads at 7:00pm (UC272)
2/26 BATW George Saunders (JR 5)
2/28 SP Paul Theroux (notes 5)
Week 9 SPRING BREAK
Week 10
3/11 BATW Cynthia Zarin (JR 6)
3/13 SP Sara Wheeler (notes 6)
Week 11
3/18 Workshop group 1
3/20 Workshop group 2
Week 12
*3/26 Creative writing students read at 12:30pm (UC 267)
3/25 Workshop group 3
3/27 Workshop group 4
Week 13
4/01 Workshop group 5
4/03 Workshop group 6
Week 14
4/08 Workshop group 7
4/10 Class canceled for attending a reading/lecture
Week 15
*4/17 Poetry Palooza/Cygnet launching at 7:00pm (UC 272)
4/15 Preparation for performances/Conferences
4/17 Preparation for performances/Conferences
Week 16
4/22 Performances
4/24 FINAL PORTFOLIO DUE IN CLASS, performances
Week 17 FINALS WEEK