Department of English,
Foreign Languages, & Journalism
College of Liberal Arts
and Sciences
English 285-01 - Mochila Review
Course Syllabus- Fall 2007
Instructor: Bill
Church
Office:
Phone: 816 271-5966
email:
church@missouriwestern.edu
Office Hours: 10 -11
MWF, 1 - 2 TR, and by appointment.
Class Meeting Time and Room: 9:00 - 9:50 MWF, Eder Hall 214
Required texts and materials: The Anchor Book of New American Short Stories, ed.
Ben Marcus. 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 2008 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 text.
Our second major project will be to begin the process of producing the 2008 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 judgment 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.
Attendance: MWSU now requires the following attendance campus-wide
attendance policy. In order to improve student learning and to achieve
compliance with federal financial aid policies, Western has a mandatory
attendance policy for all 100-level courses. A student will be given an excused
absence when acting as an official representative of the university, provided
the student gives prior written verification from the faculty/staff supervisor
of the event. Furthermore, the maximum number of absences allowed before the
midterm report, October 17, for this class is five (5). Thus, when you have six
absences you will be reported to the Registrar's Office, who will automatically
withdraw you from this class. The Financial Aid Office will reduce financial
aid as appropriate. 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, regardless of when it occurs,
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: Friday, December 14, 8:30 - 10:20, Eder 214