Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2021 - WL 307 D100

Creative Writing in World Literature (4)

Short Fiction

Class Number: 4421

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 12 – Aug 9, 2021: Mon, 9:30–11:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    45 units.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A creative writing workshop focusing on students' production of original works, translingual writing, and/or literary translation. This course may be repeated for credit when different topics are offered. Breadth-Humanities.

COURSE DETAILS:

WL 307-4 Creative Writing: Short Fiction     
         

You start with a blank space. There is a seed of an idea. Or a germ. Before you know it, it starts swirling within you, consumes you, forces itself out of your body and onto the page leaving you exhilarated and exhausted. It has moved from your gut to the outside world. This is just the beginning. 

Now for the real work – how to keep it moving? How to keep it alive? How to let the parts that were never alive to begin with fall off like dead leaves? In this fiction workshop, through a combination of lectures, workshopping and writing exercises, we will take a look at the writing process, examine the basic elements of short fiction such as character, dialogue, structure, and so on, and most of all, discover how to move with our individual stories from one draft to the next without losing the very spirit that the stories were created from.              

Grading

  • One Short Story 30%
  • In-class Writing Exercises 5%
  • Rewrite of Short Story 40%
  • Written Feedback on Workshop Stories 10%
  • Participation & Attendance 15%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Readings assigned and distributed by Instructor

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site 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

TEACHING AT SFU IN SUMMER 2021

Teaching at SFU in summer 2021 will be conducted primarily through remote methods, but we will continue to have in-person experiential activities for a selection of courses.  Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).