Department of English, Foreign Languages, Journalism
Division of Liberal Arts and Sciences
English 285-01 - Mochila Review
Course Syllabus - Spring 2005
Instructor: Bill Church
Office: SS/C 222-O
Phone: 816 271-5966
email: church@missouriwestern.edu
Office Hours: 1:00 - 2:30 MTWF, and by appointment.
Class Meeting Time and Room: 10:00-10:50 MWF, SS/C214
Required texts and materials: While we do not have a course text, per se, I will require you to invest in a minimum of three other literary journals that range from $5 to $10 each. Some postage expense (usually around $5 total) will be incurred when students submit manuscripts to literary journals.
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 course is designed to engage students in the production of contemporary literature. This semester that includes both The Mochila Review, our national literary journal, and Canvas, the MWSC journal that features the work of MWSC students, alumni, staff, and faculty. Furthermore, students will write papers and give oral presentations over the workings of other journals similar to The Mochila Review. I will require, also, that all students submit either one piece of their own prose (fiction or nonfiction) or three original poems to a national literary journal. Likewise, I will require additional original submissions, not the same pieces, to Canvas. All projects will require a team spirit. Attendance and participation are crucial to the success of the projects.
Everyone is required to apply for a defined position on staff, similar in structure to our campus newspaper and yearbook. Our primary texts will be the works we receive, read in comparison to works published in prior issues. For the most part, our "homework," which will be abundant, will consist of professionally and promptly fulfilling the duties inherent in the defined positions we accept. This course will require commitment and careful reading from you. In return, it may well be one of the most rewarding classes you take because the "real world" connections will be immediate and far reaching. This course may be repeated for credit, and I highly encourage students to see the journal through a full fall-spring cycle.
Goals:
* To appreciate the purpose, operation, and value of contemporary literary journals
* 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
* To gain expertise as aspiring writers who wish to publish
Methods: Students will . . .
* compare The Mochila Review to its contemporaries
* each assume responsibility for one staff position
* analyze other contemporary literary journals
* practice copy editing techniques
* consider and prepare sample marketing strategies
* prepare sample calls for submissions
* prepare a sample budget
Grading: I will determine semester course grades as follows.
Major research paper analyzing other journals: 25%
Oral presentation analyzing other journals: 15%
Original submission(s) to Canvas: 10%
Original submission(s) to national journal: 10%
Written self-evaluation of performance: 10%
Sample call for submissions of manuscripts: 5%
Sample budget: 5%
Participation, adherence to deadlines, quality of contribution to journals: 20%
Attendance (a major factor detailed below)
Total: 100%
A = 91 - 100; B = 81 - 90; C = 71 - 80; D = 61 -70; F = 0 - 60
NOTE: Prompt attendance at every class meeting is expected. I will take roll at the beginning of each class. Students not present then are absent. Except in cases of documented extenuating circumstances, I will not change an "Absent" to a "Present" for late students. (Extenuating circumstances include medical emergencies, fires, auto accidents, etc. not work schedules, day care, advisement, or studying for other classes.) I grant three absences, no questions asked, before lowering a student's grade. The fourth through sixth absences, unless caused by extenuating circumstances) will result in one-half letter grade deduction from the student's final course grade. The seventh absence will result in automatic failure of the course. If for any reason you foresee problems arriving promptly, please withdraw at once.
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.
Tentative Course Outline:
Weeks 1 - 2: Course introduction. Apply for staff positions. Finalize Mochila Review selections.
Begin selecting and requesting journals to analyze.
Weeks 4 - 6: Write, workshop, revise, and submit works to national journals and to Canvas.
Adjust Mochila Review final selections if needed. Proofread Mochila Review copy
and mail to printer.
Weeks 7- 8: Begin reviewing Canvas submissions, notifying writers, and typesetting the
works selected.
Weeks 9-10: Proofread Mochila Review blue lines and. For Canvas, edit or adjust final
selections; finish typesetting; begin proofreading.
Weeks 11-12: Finish Canvas and deliver to printer. Proofread blue lines. Research
papers due. Public reception for The Mochila Review.
Weeks 13 - 14: Oral presentations. Public reception for Canvas. Possible field trip.
Weeks 15 -16: Self-evaluations due. Individual conferences. Distribution of journals.
Final Exam: Monday, May 9, 8:30 - 10:20 SS/C 214