Writing Paris / Writing Home is an introductory, immersive course in creative writing. Through the close reading of short poems, literary nonfiction, fiction, and letters by established authors and through the composition and group critique of work of your own, you will discover and put into practice basic techniques of creative writing that draws its subject from the sensations of home and the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touch of Paris.
Your overarching objective in this course is to develop and demonstrate in prose and verse an appreciation of the distinctive material culture of Paris and of your “local habitation” and some sense of the values that each embodies. Complementary objectives are these:
Regular Attendance
Punctuality and regular attendance are especially important with an immersive course and all the more so when that course is in the field and on the move. Be late and risk an absence. Miss more than three days of class for any reason and expect to fail the course.
Active Participation and Responsible Traveling
Before you can travel responsibly, you must familiarize yourself with “Student Safety and Conduct Protocols.” This document was distributed and discussed with incoming students by the Student Life staff during Orientation. Failure to adhere to the procedures and policies listed in that document may earn you a zero for active participation and responsible traveling; such failure could cost you a passing grade in the course.
Have all texts needed for the assigned reading of that day's class--Poems of Paris and the handouts on Canvas (or otherwise distributed)--whether on campus or in Paris. You will then be participating actively if you are conscientious about attendance and deadlines, and if you demonstrate your engagement in the course by contributing valuably to in-class discussions and group critiques and by presenting a positive attitude especially about the experiential features of the course. It is possible that unannounced reading quizzes will gauge your level of participation. It should go without saying that any lapse in decorum, not to mention irresponsible behavior especially in transit or abroad, will undermine your ability to succeed in this class. Losing, or not having with you when needed, your Métro ticket or museum pass will affect your ability to succeed as well as cost you money. When in class—when we’re together in Paris as well as on campus—remove your earbuds; dis-engage from social media and your electronics, unless for an exercise in class or during your personal time -- be alert and observant and thoughtful.
Worth 25% of your final grade.
Your notebook - that we'll be providing you with in class - is for you to record all class notes and observations both at Centenary and in Paris. You are expected to be writing 2-3 pages a day while in Shreveport and Paris, which should come - roughly to 50 plus pages of notes and writing. We will be grading this notebook on both the quantity and quality of your work. You keep this notebook; it will be a record of your first month in college. Use it as a course book to note observations and experiences, as well as to draft earlier versions of the work to be turned in, but also as a personal record of your evolution as a college student. On one level this is an intellectual journal: be observant, be imaginative, be "woke." See the "Assignments" section of Canvas for more detailed information on the requirements for the Notebook.
Worth 25% of your final grade.
Your Portfolio is your revised versions of several pieces of writing. This is where you show us what you've learned in this class. See the "Assignments" section of Canvas for more detailed information on the requirements for the Portfolio. Specifics about Portfolio presentation in Canvas will be given in class.
Worth 50% of your final grade.
Memorize the Honor Code and take it to heart. You must append it, followed by your name, to all submitted assignments.
If you need accommodations, please contact Counseling Services in Rotary Hall (869-5466/5424). We will make every possible effort to make this course work for you.