Catalog Description

Hours: 8 to 54 lecture as scheduled
Description: Course for older adults interested in exploring creative writing. Exercises in creative writing, drawing ideas from personal observation and experience. Overcome obstacles of how and where to begin writing, what to write about, and how to shape ideas into a variety of formats - creative paragraphs, short stories, nonfiction and fiction. Experiment with various styles, structures and forms of writing. Focus and topics will vary with each offering. May be repeated. (noncredit)

Course Student Learning Outcomes

  • CSLO #1: Recognize and explain various elements of critiquing literary fiction and memoir.

Effective Term

Fall 2018

Course Type

Noncredit

Contact Hours

8-54

Outside of Class Hours

16-108

Total Student Learning Hours

24-162

Course Objectives

1. Identify barriers to creative writing especially for older adults.
2. Set up personal writing and reading schedules.
3. Maintain a journal utilizing techniques presented in class.
4. Experiment with various forms of writing including:
a. description and exposition
b. characterization
c. prose vs. poetry
d. correct use of voice
e. plot.
5. Develop an appreciation in older adults for the craft of creative writing.
6. Grow as a writer through course repetition.

General Education Information

  • Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability
    • CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval)
      • Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval)
        • IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval)

          Articulation Information

          • Not Transferable

          Methods of Evaluation

          • Classroom Discussions
            • Example: Instructor and students will provide feedback on individual student writing in workshop format.
          • Skill Demonstrations
            • Example: Students will incorporate stylistic elements of creative writing in their memoirs and short stories.

          Repeatable

          Yes

          Methods of Instruction

          • Lecture/Discussion

          Lecture:

          1. Instructor will lecture on brainstorming techniques and lead writing exercises, having students write memoir and short fiction.
          2. Instructor will explain literary terms; students will incorporate terms, concepts, and standards relating to creative writing in their critiques of each others’ writing.

          Typical Out of Class Assignments

          Reading Assignments

          1. Read Bambara's short story "The Lesson" and analyze how diction reveals character by answering the following questions: 1) How does the narrator's level of diction differ from Miss Moore's? What does this difference suggest about their relative positions in society? About the terms of their relationship? 2) How do you respond to the narrator? Does her level of diction play any part in shaping this response? 2. Read any three stories from Alice Munroe's Moons of Jupiter. In what ways are the characters connected? How do the stories function as individual narratives as compared to their function within the series? Is Moons of Jupiter a novel, a novella, or a series of connected short stories? Compare and contrast Moons of Jupiter with Rick Bass' Deer Pasture. What similarities and differences do you notice?

          Writing, Problem Solving or Performance

          1. Write three sets of dialogue, each 2 pages long, based on the interviews you conducted of classmates. Using that information, create 3 different conversations between 6 different characters. Use minimal setting detail and description. Let the dialogue develop the characters and tone. Refer to "Hills Like White Elephants" as discussed in class. Be ready to share these dialogue drafts in class. 2. Write a new ending to Crane's "Open Boat." Maintain the point of view, tone, and style of the original story, but change the crisis and climax to reflect a new resolution and, therefore, theme. Write 3 - 4 pages, and be ready to share this draft in the workshop.

          Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.)

          1. Students will be presented examples of various writing and asked to examine and critique the work. 2. Students will complete a final portfolio of original fiction demonstrating a knowledge of fiction writing.

          Required Materials

            Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.

            Instructor prepared materials (varies with instructor).