Course Descriptions
ENGCW 400
Creative Writing
3 Units
Prerequisite: Eligibility for ENGWR 300
General Education: AA/AS Area II (b); CSU Area C2
Course Transferable to UC/CSU
See UC Limitations & Counselor
Hours: 54 hours LEC
This course is designed to guide students in creative writing through experience in three genres: short story, poetry, and plays. The course includes analysis of literary models (professional writings in each genre), individual and class criticism of work in a workshop mode, and lecture on and discussion of literary techniques in each genre. This course may be taken twice for credit or once in combination with ENGCW 410 and/or ENGCW 420.
ENGCW 410
Fiction Writing Workshop
3 Units
Prerequisite: Eligibility for ENGWR 300.
General Education: AA/AS Area II (b); CSU Area C2
Course Transferable to UC/CSU
See UC Limitations & Counselor
Hours: 54 hours LEC
This is a creative writing course designed for students who wish to concentrate on fiction writing. Through lecture, discussion, assigned reading, writing exercises, short story (or novel chapter) writing, and critiques of student writing in a workshop mode, the student will examine critically the elements of literary creation. The students will keep a journal and prepare a portfolio of their work. This course may be taken twice for credit, but only once in combination with ENGCW 400.
ENGCW 420
Poetry Writing Workshop
3 Units
Prerequisite: Eligibility for ENGWR 300.
General Education: AA/AS Area II (b)
Course Transferable to UC/CSU
See UC Limitations & Counselor
Hours: 54 hours LEC
This is a creative writing course for students who wish to concentrate on poetry writing. Through lecture, discussion, assigned reading, writing exercises, poetry writing, and critiques of student writing in a workshop mode, the students will examine critically the elements of literary creation. The students will keep a journal and prepare a portfolio of their work. This course may be taken twice for credit, but only once in combination with ENGCW 400.
ENGCW 430
Creative Non-Fiction Writing Workshop
3 Units
Prerequisite: Eligibility for ENGWR 300
General Education: AA/AS Area II (b)
Course Transferable to UC/CSU
See UC Limitations & Counselor
Hours: 54 hours LEC
This is a creative writing course concentrating on the literary essay. The class focuses on constructive in-class analysis of personal essays written by students. Students will write and critically examine essays such as the memoir, autobiography, reflective, and philosophical that have a literary, stylistic component. The class will also emphasize multi-cultural, multi-generational, mythological, and ecological topics. Students will prepare a portfolio of completed work. This course may be taken two times for credit, but only once in combination with ENGCW 400.
ENGCW 452
College Literary Magazine
4 Units
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: Eligibility for ENGWR 300.
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 54 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
This course provides instruction in techniques and experience in writing, editing, and structuring the college literary magazine. Students will write, select, and edit manuscripts in the genres of poetry, short fiction, and creative non-fiction. They will also assist in converting accepted manuscripts onto computer disks and in promoting the college literary magazine through various fundraising and advertising activities. Access is provided to computers, laser printer, and other production equipment. A campus literary reading will be presented. This course may be taken two times for credit.
ENGCW 453
College Literary Magazine
4 Units
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: Eligibility for ENGWR 300.
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 54 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
In this production semester, the course provides experiences and techniques in producing the college literary magazine, from selecting, writing, and editing manuscripts to actual formation of camera-ready final draft for publication. Discussions include text and art layout, CD-ROM development, and Internet applications. Access is provided to computers, laser printers, and other journalism equipment. A campus literary reading will be presented. This course may be taken two times for credit.
ENGCW 480
Honors Seminar: Creative Writing and Culture
3 Units
Prerequisite: None.
General Education: AA/AS Area I; CSU Area C2
Course Transferable to UC/CSU
See UC Limitations & Counselor
Hours: 54 hours LEC
This course is an honors seminar for students who wish to write fiction and to do so with an awareness of fiction's role in culture. Students will study the relationship between cultural events and literary conventions: connections, for example, between World War II and Hemingway's concise sentences, the birth of jazz and the language of the beatniks, Existentialism and Ralph Ellison's view of character, or the systematic repression of Native American languages and Joy Harjo's fluid syntax. While students become familiar with the history and cultural place of fiction, they will be writing and analyzing fiction of their own. Students will be encouraged both to "write from instinct" and to begin deliberately cultivating a style, identifying personal influences, and situating their writing in relation to major cultural events. This course may be taken only once for credit. Enrollment is limited to Honors Program students (see catalog).
ENGCW 495
Independent Studies in English - Creative Writing
1-3 Units
Prerequisite: None
Course Transferable to CSU
See UC Limitations & Counselor
Hours: 18 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
ENGCW 499
Experimental Offering in English - Creative Writing
.5-4 Units
Prerequisite: None
Course Transferable to CSU
See UC Limitations & Counselor
Hours: 18 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB