Maui Community College
Course Outline
1. Alpha and Number:
ENG 104
Course Title:
Introduction to Creative Writing
Credits:
3
Date of Outline:
3/18/04
2. Course Description:
Explores the principles and practice of creative
writing through readings and composition in
several major genres.
2. Contact Hours/Type:
3 Hours/Lecture-Lab
4. Prerequisites:
ENG 100 with at least a C, or consent.
Corequisites:
Recommended Preparation:
Approved by
Date
2
5. General Course Objectives:
Acquaints students with basic principles and practices of creative writing through readings and
composition in at least three genres drawn from poetry, drama, creative non-fiction and short
fiction.
6. Student Learning Outcomes
For assessment purposes, these are linked to #7. Recommended Course Content.
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
a.
b.
c.
d.
learn and utilize techniques for overcoming writing blocks;
develop awareness of various audiences;
develop critical reading skills for assessment of their own work and that of other writers;
use creative writing in a variety of genres to discover and express ideas, feelings and
attitudes;
e. recognize and be able to employ basic elements of creative writing;
f. utilize appropriate technology to gather information, analyze data, and/or communicate
with the instructor and others in the class;
g. apply techniques for effective revision of their writing;
h. write, lay out and bind as a book several selected poems they have written during the
course;
i. publish a portfolio of selected, carefully edited work from the semester.
7. Recommended Course Content and Approximate Time Spent on Each Topic
Linked to #6. Student Learning Outcomes.
4-6 weeks:
Creative non-fiction (a, b, c, d, e, f, g)
4-6 weeks:
Short fiction (a, b, c, d, e, f, g)
4-6 weeks:
Poetry (a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h)
1-2 weeks:
Revision and publication (b, f, g, h)
8. Text and Materials, Reference Materials, Auxiliary Materials and Content (or appropriate
substitutions):
Appropriate text(s) and materials will be chosen at the time the course is offered from those
currently available in the field. Examples include:
Text(s):
The Creative Writing Guide by Schaefer and Diamond.
Writing Down the Bones by Goldberg.
Miscellaneous:
Articles and other handouts provided by instructor.
Video and audio tapes; guest speakers
Field trips.
3
9. Recommended Course Requirements
Specific course requirements are at the discretion of the instructor at the time the course is
being offered. Suggested requirements might include, but are not limited to:
20-20%
Attendance and Participation
15-25%
Informal Writing (includes Notebook and exercises)
30-50%
Portfolio/Self-bound book
Regular attendance in class, in individual conferences and at resource sites.
A journal (Writer’s Notebook).
Participation in class readings and feedback on student work.
Participation in both in- and out-of-class writing exercises as assigned.
Completion of the following by their respective due dates: one 3-5 page work of creative nonfiction (may be autobiography, interview or other); two or more short stories, each 3 or more
pages in length; a self-bound collection of 5 or more Haiku; 8-10 poems in a variety of formal
and free verse; a carefully-revised, edited and paginated collection containing non-fiction
work, one short story, all (non-Haiku) poetry and 10-15 selected journal pages (need not be
typed) demonstrating something of student’s creative process during semester
10. Methods of Instruction and Evaluation:
Instructional methods will vary considerably with instructors. Specific methods will be at the
discretion of the instructor teaching the course and might include, but are not limited to:
a. interactive reading and commentary sessions on student work (peer and instructor
feedback);
b. trust building exercises;
c. small group and whole class writing exercises;
d. whole class discussion of writing techniques;
e. lecture;
f. handouts, video and audio tapes;
g. visits to resource sites for writers on and off campus.