Creative Writing Online Class



Syllabus for ENGL/WRTG 580

Publishing in the Twenty-first Century

Summer Session II 2012

Online

Professor: Sharman Apt Russell Office: Bowden Hall, Rm 214

Office Phone: 575-538-6345 Department phone: 575-538-6525

Fax: 575-538-6535

Office hours: online/by appt Email: russellsa@wnmu.edu

DESCRIPTION: Exploration of current issues and trends in the field of publishing, including self-publishing. Students will get hands-on experience in publishing a print-on-demand book either in a collaborative group or as an individual project. (3)

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REQUIRED TEXT

Online readings:











[NOTE TO GRADUATE COUNCIL: THESE READINGS ARE FROM THE SUMMER OF 2010 AND WILL BE UPDATED FOR THE SUMMER OF 2012.]

BRIEF INTRODUCTION: In this class, students will read and analyze articles on the current problems in publishing and the changes for both writers and readers brought about by the internet and other forms of technology. They will discuss such issues as the legitimization of self-publishing and the role of print-on-demand books and various forms of e-books. They will explore their own role as a writer in this new world. Importantly they will gain hands-on experience in publishing a print-on-demand book either as part of a group project or as an individual project through the free service Create Space—a process that will include editorial work, page lay-out, cover design, marketing, and publicity. (Students can create a “mock” book or use real material; they can complete the process or stop just short of having their project printed.)

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All together, students will

• Read 5-10 online articles and texts

• Write and post two essays (1000-1500 words each) in two discussion topics, based on readings

• Write an essay (1000-1500 words) that evaluates their role as a writer in the changing world of readers, writers, and publishers

• Write a short essay or fictional piece (minimum 1000 words) imagining specific aspects of the future of publishing

• Publish a print-on-demand book either in a group project or as individuals and produce a report on that process (students can complete the Create Space instructions, publishing their book for free, or decline to do this final step)

• Write and post regular responses to other student work

Grading:

❖ Short essays in two discussion topics, 25%

❖ Short reflective essay and creative nonfiction essay or fictional piece, 25%

❖ Report on production of print-on-demand book, 25%

❖ Responses to other student work, 25%

| |A |B |C | |

|Essays for discussion |Essays fulfill all the |Essays fulfill the |Essays fulfill the | |

|topics Publishing: The |requirements specified |requirements specified |requirements specified | |

|Turbulent Present and The|for an A in the learning |for a B in the learning |for a C in the learning | |

|Future of Self-Publishing|modules |modules |modules | |

|Short reflective essay on|Both pieces of writing |Both pieces fulfill the |Both pieces fulfill the | |

|My Role as a Writer and |fulfill all the |requirements specified |requirements specified | |

|creative nonfiction essay|requirements specified |for a B in the learning |for a C in the learning | |

|or short story |for an A in the learning |modules |modules | |

| |modules | | | |

|Publication of |Student fulfills all the |Student fulfills the |Student fulfills the | |

|print-on-demand book or |requirements specified |requirements specified |requirements specified | |

|report detailing the |for an A in the learning |for a B in the learning |for a C in the learning | |

|process |module |module |module | |

|Responses to other |An A based on the |A B based on the criteria|A C based on the criteria| |

|students |criteria in the learning |in the learning module on|in the learning module on| |

| |module on class |class participation |class participation | |

| |participation | | | |

I reserve the right to grade holistically and to balance the elements of this rubric as needed—for example, a few strong responses might balance a few weak responses. The rubric is a good general guide as to how you will be graded but it is not—and cannot be—a strict formula.

Late work might negatively affect your grade.

At midterm, I will give you a narrative report on your grade. Feel free to email me at any time to ask how you are doing in the class.

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INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES:

Students are able to analyze and articulate current issues in publishing.

Students have analyzed their role as a writer and reader in the current world of publishing.

Students understand the process of publishing a print-on-demand book through a service like Create Space and have actively participated in producing a print-on-demand book of their own.

Students have participated in class discussions which require advanced skills in reading and analyzing the work of their peers.

Students can give and receive positive feedback.

Students can work collegially to build an online community of writers.

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Your assignments for this class are described fully in the learning modules.

Read and print these modules immediately.

For a quick overview, see below.

Unit One: First Week of Class

In this first week, you are given a number of assignments that introduce you to the structure of the class and the nature of an online class. You get to know your fellow students by posting an autobiography and reading other student autobiographies. You start reading your assigned articles on the revolutionary changes within publishing today, and you prepare to post in the discussion topic Publishing: The Turbulent Present. You decide on your own writing project for the print-on-demand book.

Unit Two: Second Week of Class

In the second week, you are given more readings and assignments/questions for the discussion topic The Future of Self-publishing. You are asked to research various ways to self-publish and to think about the role of non-traditional publishing in today’s literary world. You continue to work on your own project.

Unit Three: Third Week of Class

In the third week, you respond to questions that ask you to evaluate yourself as a writer in today’s world of writing and you post this essay in the Discussion topic My Role as a Writer. You report on your progress for your print-on-demand book, which should be ready for production.

Unit Four: Fourth Week of Class

In the fourth week, you post a short story or essay which imagines some aspect of publishing in the twenty-first century. You explore marketing and publicity strategies for your print-on-demand book.

Unit Five: Class Participation

This unit explains the requirements of class participation and includes an on-line policy for discussion and responses.

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Unit Six: The Print-on-Demand Book

This unit goes into more detail concerning this assignment, including collaborations versus individual projects, the steps of using Create Space to produce a print-on-demand book, and how you will be graded for your participation in the team.

My role in this class:

I will facilitate the online commentary and discussions mostly by “lurking” and trouble-shooting.

I will read everything posted and give you credit for the answers to your assignment/questions and for your responses to other student posts. I will not necessarily respond to these posts or make comments except, occasionally, in a private email to you.

I will respond to your questions and concerns when I check my email, which is almost daily. In most cases, you will hear from me in twenty-four hours.

I will assign you a grade based on the work you did.

Schedule of assignments

[NOTE TO GRADUATE COUNCIL: THIS SCHEDULE NEEDS TO BE UPDATED FOR SUMMER OF 2012]

|July 7 |Email me with a brief statement that you have read my bio, the course introduction, the syllabus, and ALL the |

| |learning modules. Print them out for easy reference. Confirm that you understand the structure of the class. Ask |

| |any question not covered in the online material. |

|July 8 |Post your autobiography. Look at the text on Create Space and watch the video. |

|July 9 |Respond to at least five other student autobiographies. Send me a description of your print-on-demand book. |

|July 14 |Post your essay in the discussion topic Publishing: The Turbulent Present. Start responding to other student |

| |posts. (You have one week for your response to get credit.) |

|July 21 |Post your essay in the discussion topic The Future of Self-publishing. Deadline for responses to other student |

| |posts in Publishing: The Turbulent Present. |

|July 26 |Post report concerning progress on your print-on-demand book. |

|July 28 |Post in the discussion topic My Role your evaluation of yourself as a writer and reader in the new world of |

| |publishing. Start responding to other student posts. (You have one week for your response to get credit.) |

| | |

|August 4 |Post in the discussion topic Brave New World your short story or essay in which you imagine some aspect of |

| |publishing in the twenty-first century. Start responding to other student posts. (You have until August 5 for your|

| |response to get credit.) Post your final report on your print-on-demand book. |

| | |

|August 5 |Deadline for responding to posts in Brave New World. |

MORE GOOD INFORMATION

DISABILITY SERVICES AT WESTERN NEW MEXICO UNIVERSITY:

Services for students with disabilities are provided through the Academic Support Center’s Disability Services Office in the Juan Chacon Building, Room 220. Some examples of the assistance provided are: audio materials for the blind or dyslexic, note takers, readers, campus guides, audio recorders, a quiet testing area, and undergraduate academic tutors. In order to qualify for these services, documentation must be provided by qualified professionals on an annual basis. Disability Services forms are available in the Academic Support Center. The Disability Services Office, in conjunction with the Academic Support Center, serves as Western New Mexico University's liaison for students with disabilities.  The Academic Support Center’s Disability Services Office can be contacted by phone at 575-538-6400 or e-mail at matterr@wnmu.edu

I reserve the right to drop disruptive students from the class. Disruptive behavior would include any rude or offensive language used in any online communication.

Communication Policy Statement Regarding Official Email: WNMU’s policy requires that all official communication be sent via Mustang Express. As a result, all emails related to your enrollment at WNMU and class communication – including changes in assignments and grades – will be sent to your wnmu.edu email address. It is very important that you access your Mustang Express e-mail periodically to check for correspondence from the University. If you receive most of your email at a different address you can forward your messages from Mustang Express to your other address.

• Passwords shall contain at least one capital (upper case) letter, and at least one symbol (numbers and characters such as @ # $ % & *).

• Passwords shall be changed at least every 90 days. (8/6/08)

Academic Integrity Policy: The following material is taken from pp. 60-61 of the 2008-2009 WNMU catalog:

Each student shall observe standards of honesty and integrity in academic work completed at WNMU. Students may be penalized for violations of the Academic Integrity policy.

Definitions

Violations include any behavior that misrepresents of falsifies a student’s knowledge, skills or ability with the goal of unjustified or illegitimate evaluation or gain. Such violations include two broad categories: (1) cheating and (2) plagiarism.

1) Cheating includes, but is not limited to, using or attempting to use unauthorized materials such as notes, texts, images, electronic devices, and unauthorized copies of test materials. Cheating is also understood to mean unauthorized collaboration with others, copying the work of another, or any action that present the work of others to misrepresent the student’s knowledge, skills, or ability;

2) Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, the intentional or unintentional representation of another’s work as one’s own without proper acknowledgement of the original author or creator of the work, failure to quote and/or cite sources, providing or receiving unauthorized assistance in the preparation of academic work, the fabrication of sources or information, or submitting the same work for more than one course/instructor without the permission of the current course instructor.

The first instance of plagiarism will result in the assignment getting an F. The second instance of plagiarism will result in the student being dropped from the class.

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Online communication can be difficult. There is no body language, no subtle cues concerning emotion or intent. Make a special effort to be clear and courteous. Assume that everyone in the class has good intentions. Ask if you have a question or concern. Read through your email before you send it.

I am a flexible and understanding person. Communicate with me if you have a sudden emergency or family situation, if you need to turn in work late, or if you just need to talk about your writing.

Make this class serve you as a writer. Explore what you need to explore. Also take this opportunity to learn how to communicate with fellow writers and readers. We are here to encourage and support each other. Often that requires diplomacy and tact. It includes a generosity of enthusiasm and praise.

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