to the schedule of readings and assignments
required texts: Jenny Diski, Skating to Antarctica (out of print; you must get this via Internet or library sources, though I will try to provide initial selections on handout); Primo Levi (trans. Rosenthal), The Periodic Table; Rebecca Solnit, Wanderlust
syllabus: This syllabus may be updated as the semester goes on. I may post updated versions that indicate readings, discussion plans, and reference materials. However, every component of your grade is shown here at the beginning. Please refer to the date and time of printing (at the bottom of each page) to see when the version you are holding was printed. For continuous updates look on line at http://www.uta.edu/english/tim/courses/4330f07/4330main.html
course description: This is a course in reading and critiquing, but mainly in writing, creative nonfiction.
course objectives: Students who successfully complete this course will know something about contemporary creative nonfiction; will have practice in guided and workshop environments in the techniques of creative nonfiction; and (if they take the final step) will have completed one revised creative essay.
attendance is mandatory, because this course takes place mostly in a workshop setting.
drop policy: UTA instructors may not drop students for any reason. You may choose to drop with a W until 2 November.
assignments: 18 short papers (one page maximum); one final optional essay project (13-15 pages).
grading: Grading is on a point system, with one point for each short-paper assignment.
Short papers will receive only one point or no points. Most relevant papers will receive one point. But you will receive no points if your paper is: handwritten; irrelevant to the topic; or late. If you do not come to the class meeting on the day the assignment is due, you do not earn the point for that assignment.
academic dishonesty policy: It is the philosophy of The University of Texas at Arlington that academic dishonesty is a completely unacceptable mode of conduct and will not be tolerated in any form. All persons involved in academic dishonesty will be disciplined in accordance with University regulations and procedures. Discipline may include suspension or expulsion from the University. "Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the attempt to commit such acts." [Regents' Rules and Regulations, Part One, Chapter Vi, Section 3, Subsection 3.2, Subdivision 3.22]
disability policy: The University of Texas at Arlington is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation; reference Public Law 93112--The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. With the passage of new federal legislation entitled Americans with Disabilities Act - (ADA), pursuant to section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, there is renewed focus on providing this population with the same opportunities enjoyed by all citizens. As a faculty member, I am required by law to provide "reasonable accommodation" to students with disabilities, so as not to discriminate on the basis of that disability. Student responsibility primarily rests with informing faculty at the beginning of the semester and in providing authorized documentation through designated administrative channels.
library: Noel Anderson is the Librarian for the English Department. He can be reached at 817 272 3000, ext. 4984, and by email at noel@uta.edu You will find online databases for English among the Arts & Humanities databases at http://www2.uta.edu/library/subjguides/dbEnglish.asp
writing center: located on the fourth floor of the Central Library, and at http://www.uta.edu/owl/, the Writing Center provides free tutoring for UTA students. Tutors will not write your papers for you, but will help you understand and use strategies for effective writing.
schedule of assignments and readings
Tues 28 Aug: syllabus, description of the course
Thurs 30 Aug: introductions; in-class writing
Tues 4 Sept: Sh1 due: critique Diski, "Schrödinger's Mother" (1-38); workshop
Thurs 6 Sept: Sh2 due: critique Solnit, "Tracing a Headland" (3-13); discuss "Schrödinger's Mother"
Tues 11 Sept: Sh3 due: the history of walking is everyone's history; discuss "Tracing a Headland"
Thurs 13 Sept: Sh4 due: critique Levi, "Hydrogen" (21-28); workshop
Tues 18 Sept: Sh5 due: childhood memory; discuss "Hydrogen"
Thurs 20 Sept: Sh6 due: critique Diski, "Whatever Happened to Jennifer" (85-119); workshop
Tues 25 Sept: Sh7 due: character; discuss "Whatever Happened to Jennifer"
Thurs 27 Sept: Sh8 due: critique Solnit, "Labyrinths & Cadillacs" (64-78); workshop
Tues 2 Oct: Sh9 due: critique Levi, "Cerium" (139-146)
Thurs 4 Oct: Sh10 due: place; discuss "Cerium"
Tues 9 Oct: Sh11 due: critique Levi, "Iron" (37-49); workshop
Thurs 11 Oct: Sh12 due: character II; discuss "Iron"
Tues 16 Oct: Sh13 due: critique Diski, "At Sea" (39-83); workshop
Thurs 18 Oct: Sh14 due: travel; discuss "At Sea" (39-83)
Tues 23 Oct: Sh15 due: critique Levi, "Phosphorus" (109-126); workshop
Thurs 25 Oct: Sh16 due: love; discuss "Phosphorus"
Tues 30 Oct: Sh17 due: critique Solnit, "Aerobic Sisyphus and the Suburbanized Psyche" (249-266); workshop
Thurs 1 Nov: Sh18 due: process; discuss "Aerobic Sisyphus"
Tues 6 Nov: workshop
Thurs 8 Nov: free
Tues 13 Nov: free
Thurs 15 Nov: first draft of final project due
Tues 20 Nov: workshop; first draft of final project returned. Workshop groups should meet today to exchange contact information and make plans. Groups will meet independently thereafter, and with instructor (in regular classroom) as follows:
Tues 27 Nov: "A" group: Alusick, Lee, Owens, Russo, Zimmerman
Thurs 29 Nov: "T" group: Erickson, Lao, Lugo, Valley, Zachry
Tues 4 Dec: "U" group: Abell, Aberg, Duncan, Hamill
Thurs 6 Dec: all meet briefly for course evaluations, then
Final draft of final project due by noon on Thurs 13 Dec