Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2023 - ENGL 472W E100

Seminar in Advanced Creative Writing (4)

Advanced Prose

Class Number: 4000

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 4 – Apr 11, 2023: Tue, 4:30–8:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    ENGL 372 or 374.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An advanced seminar-workshop in the theory and practice of poetry or fiction. Genre varies from term to term. Students with credit for ENGL 472 prior to fall 2015 may not complete this course for further credit. Otherwise, course may be repeated for credit when the genre varies. Writing.

COURSE DETAILS:

Advanced Prose Workshop

This course will offer you the opportunity to explore both conventions and innovations in prose fiction and creative non-fiction through the practice of writing.  Throughout the course, you will analyze different types of prose as well as key statements on the vocation, the everyday practice, and the finer ‘nuts and bolts’ of writing.  You will receive feedback on your own writing project(s), and you will also offer constructive feedback on projects submitted by other members of the class.  In one important component of the course, you will present to the class a personally selected work of prose or non-literary narrative art (e.g., a film, a television program, or a graphic novel) that has exerted a strong influence upon your own writing style and aspirations.  At the end of the course, you will submit a portfolio consisting of a piece of carefully revised writing, a reading log, and a writerly ‘self-study.’  The goal of the course is to help us become closer and more active readers of fiction, while enabling us to pursue the challenge of writing in an informed and supportive studio environment.

Grading

  • Regular attendance, peer feedback, and tutorial participation 20%
  • Presentation on a personally influential text (3-4 pages) 20%
  • Prose Submission to be Workshopped (10 pages) 20%
  • Final Portfolio consisting of revised prose submission (10 pages), reading log (5 pages), and self study (5 pages) 40%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Davis, Lydia.  Essays: One.  Picador, 2020.  ISBN-10: 1250758157.  ISBN-13: 978-1250758156.

Brick: A Literary Journal (Issue 109).  [Brick is a Canadian literary periodical]

Please note: students must purchase these texts on their own (preferably, if possible, through an independent bookstore).  The SFU bookstore will not be carrying these texts.

A variety of texts by authors Téa Mutonji, Souvankham Thammavongsa, and others will also be required and available through official online journals.

In addition, students will be required to present to the class a text of their own choosing (either a work of prose or a work of non-literary narrative art) that has exerted a strong influence upon their writing style and aspirations.


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

IMPORTANT NOTE Re 300 and 400 level courses: 75% of spaces in 300 level English courses, and 100% of spaces in 400 level English courses, are reserved for declared English Major, Minor, Extended Minor, Joint Major, and Honours students only, until open enrollment begins.

For all On-Campus Courses, please note the following:
- To receive credit for the course, students must complete all requirements.
- Tutorials/Seminars WILL be held the first week of classes.
- When choosing your schedule, remember to check "Show lab/tutorial sections" to see all Lecture/Seminar/Tutorial times required.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html