Missouri Western State University

Department of English, Foreign Languages, & Journalism

Division of Liberal Arts and Sciences

English 285-01 - Mochila Review

Course Syllabus- Fall 2006

Instructor: Bill Church

Office: Eder 222-O

Phone: 816 271-5966

email: church@missouriwestern.edu

Office Hours: 9 - 10 MWF, 11-12 TR, and by appointment.

Class Meeting Time and Room: 10:00 - 10:50 MWF, Eder Hall 214

Required texts and materials: Vintage Book of Contemporary American Poetry, ed. J.D. McClatchy. Best American Short Stories 2005, ed. Michael Chabon. As part of your research project, I may ask that you invest in a minimum of three other literary journals that range from $5 to $10 each. Some postage expense (usually around $5 total) may be incurred.

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 applied learning toward the production of contemporary literature. One major collaborative project this semester is to select manuscripts for the 2007 Mochila Review which we will typeset, edit, and publish next spring.

Before reading submissions, however, we will norm our selection criteria by analyzing strong published works from the assigned texts. Our second major project will be to begin the process of producing the 2007 Canvas, which will demand teamwork. Furthermore, we will all need to engage constantly in the necessary "housekeeping" that accompanies the tracking of submissions from and correspondences with writers. Their submissions also serve as texts for our course. A third element will be an individual research project. Each of you is to read and analyze two national literary magazines, which I will assign. You will research those journals and offer both an oral report and a formal research paper to share your findings. Your oral presentation will serve as an early draft of your major paper.

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 . . .

* study published works to establish standards

* read and rank submissions

* compare The Mochila Review to its contemporaries

* analyze other contemporary literary journals

* consider and prepare sample marketing and promotions strategies

* prepare sample calls for submissions

* prepare a sample budget

Grading: Seventy-five percent of your semester grade will be based on your fulfillment of your responsibilities as assigned in the production of the journals. This means that when I assign reading/editing selections, everyone will come prepared to discuss the works. If we grow lax, I may employ quizzes to restore attention to deadlines. Course success also means performing the individual editorial responsibilities you accept and working well with one another. Your regular, prompt attendance and adherence to assigned deadlines are essential components of your grade.

The remaining twenty-five percent of your grade will be awarded to your oral presentation and research paper, ten and fifteen percent each, respectively. I will provide specific guidelines for these projects. Oral presentations will be scheduled just prior to midterm. Major papers will be due two weeks after the oral presentations.

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 attending regularly and promptly, please withdraw at once.

Classroom behavior: As stated in the MWSU 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" (22). Let's establish a cordial and respectful atmosphere in which we can have fun while learning together.

Academic Honesty Policy and Due Process: Academic honesty is required in all academic endeavors. Violations of academic honesty include any instance of plagiarism, cheating, seeking credit for another's work, falsifying documents or academic records, or any other fraudulent activity. Violations of academic honesty may result in a failing grade on the assignment, failure in the course, or expulsion from the University. When a student's grade has been affected, violations of academic honesty will be reported to the Provost or designated representative on the Academic Honesty Violation Report forms.Please see the 2006-07 Student Handbook and Calendar on page 21 for specific activities identified as violations of this policy and the student due process procedure. This handbook is also available online at http://www.missouriwestern.edu/handbook/index.pdf

Final Exam: Monday, December 11, 8:30 - 10:20, Eder 214