Department of English, Foreign Languages, & Journalism
Division of Liberal Arts and Sciences
English 285-01 - Mochila Review
Course Syllabus- Spring 2008
Instructor: Bill Church
Office:
Phone: 816 271-5966
email: church@missouriwestern.edu
Office Hours: MW 12:00 – 1:00; TR 11:00 - 12:30; and by appt.
Class Meeting Time and Room: 11:00 - 10:50 MWF, Eder Hall 214
Required texts and materials: We will be reading from a selection of journals comparable to the one we produce as well as from past issues of The Mochila Review and Canvas. 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 finish selecting manuscripts for the 2008 Mochila Review which we will typeset, edit, and publish. A second major part of our work will be to produce and promote the new Canvas. And the third component will be a research paper in which each of you will enlighten the rest of us about other contemporary lit mags comparable to ours. Each of you is to read and analyze two national literary magazines. Unless you specifically request certain journals, I will assign them the first week of class. 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: Fifty 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 fifty percent of your grade will be awarded to your oral
presentation and research paper, fifteen and thirty-five 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,
March 19, 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 2007-08 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, May 2, 11:30 - 1:20,