Department of English, Foreign Languages, Journalism
Division of Liberal Arts and Sciences
English 285-01 - Mochila Review
Course Syllabus - Fall 2002
Instructor: Bill Church
Office: SS/C 222-O
Phone: 816 271-5966
email: church@missouriwestern.edu
Office Hours: 1 - 2 MWF, 12:30- 1:30 TTh, and by appointment
Class Meeting Time and Room: 11:00-12:20 TTh, SS/C214
Required texts and materials: A journal in which to record your responses to manuscripts. You may prefer to store your responses on computer disks. I will collect print responses periodically.
Students with Disabilities: Anyone who has a disability that prevents the fullest expression of her or his potential to succeed in this course must notify me in writing as soon as possible so we may discuss course requirements, options, and accommodations.
Course Description: This is a unique course designed to provide students a rare and valuable opportunity with the publication of a national literary journal. Students will read original manuscripts, decide which are most worthy of publication, and work the manuscripts through the entire publishing process. In class, we will norm our reading criteria, divide responsibilities, and report our progress. Our homework will vary, depending on the role we play. For most, it will involve considerable reading of manuscripts and interaction with one another via email or informal meetings in the Mochila Review office, SS/C214.
Goals:
* To gain hands-on experience with all aspects of publishing a literary journal
* To sharpen our aesthetic judgement of other writers' work
* To build team skills
* To read for craft and technique
* To become conversant with key terms
Methods:
* We will analyze published works collectively and individually, orally and in writing,
in class and out of class
* We will analyze unpublished works collectively and individually, orally and in writing,
in class and out of class
* We will keep journals in which we will record both brief, immediate responses and
longer, formal responses to the work at hand
* We will learn practice copy editing techniques
* We will work with typesetting software
Grading:
Mochila Review is very much a hands-on course requiring both teamwork and independent work. An "objective" criterion is impossible to establish. For the most part, grades will reflect how willingly and how effectively students take work in hand. The rule of thumb is to expect students to devote about three hours of homework time for every contact hour. A three-hour class such as this one, then, should require about nine hours of homework, though some weeks may exceed that while others fall short. That seems reasonable, and we will have to work on the honor system, logging our own hours. We will also need to divide duties. Some of us may be reading more poetry, others more prose. Some may be involved in administrative work, typesetting, or editing. Attendance at all classes is a requirement, and missing more than two classes will result in a lower grade. Meeting deadlines will work in a student's favor because we will have a schedule to keep. At midterm, I will ask you to submit a self-evaluation. If we do not agree on your grade at that point, I will explain my rationale in conference and establish a work schedule that will allow you to earn the grade you seek by semester's end.
Attendance:
* you may miss all or part of two classes without penalty beyond missed points;
* the third and fourth absences (more than ten minutes of any class) will lower your final
grade by one-half of a letter per absence;
* the fifth absence results in an automatic "F," and you should withdraw immediately;
* I reserve the right to waive the penalties for extenuating circumstances, though I accept no
obligation to do so.
Although all of us will occasionally experience an emergency or illness that causes us to miss class or arrive late, students who succeed will minimize absences. We simply must meet regularly for our project to succeed.
Excused Absences: Common sense must prevail. I may grant special consideration to students who can document extenuating circumstances or who are representing MWSC. However, students need to notify me of planned outings in advance and turn in their work or take their quizzes before each absence. I will verify the absences of students representing the college by contacting the appropriate MWSC personnel.
Classroom behavior: As stated in the MWSC Student Handbook, instructors "may establish additional classroom rules and expectations for conduct in the classroom. Behavior which disrupts the classroom environment or interferes with other students' ability to learn may be grounds or justification for dismissal from the classroom" (28). Let's establish a cordial and respectful atmosphere in which we can have fun while learning together.
Final Exam: Tuesday, Dec.10, 11:30- 1:20, SS/C 214