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Travel Writing: English 408-01 Course Syllabus -- Spring 2008
Course Text: The Best Travel Writing 2000 – Edited by Bill Bryson Instructor: Regina R. Flynn
Course Description
Travel writing allows us to journey the world through words. Good travel writing can provide insight and motivation as well as information about destinations far from the cozy comfort of our reading rooms.
This course requires you to pack a sense of wonder, a critical eye and a storyteller’s delight in recanting what you experience on the road. You’ll be sightseeing as well as getting to understand and feel various local cultures. Through the life filtering lenses of custom, gender, politics, traditions, environments and personal observation, we’ll observe a variety of landscapes.
Course Objective
The course utilizes lecture, class discussion and writing assignments to better understand how travel ideas are developed, honed and crafted. To develop a baseline of what is good and essential in all travel writing we will read a series of travel essays, and prepare critical responses to professional as well as student work. We’ll come at various types of travel experiences from different angles, using reflection, research, as well as first hand experiences.
Course Goals
This course is designed to be an intensive workshop for students interested in writing about travel to places near or far. Students read and discuss selections from travel writers as well as current travel writing published in newspapers and magazines. Regular short assignments prepare students for their final project: a substantial travel narrative of their own.
Specifically we will:
1. Read and attempt though discussion and writing to understand an author's purpose, both literal and suggested. 2. analyze different types travel essays and reviews, 3. become mindful of the careful construction the piece, what prompted it, where is the genesis of a piece, 4. appreciate the enormous power of language and learn to use it, 5. think in terms of metaphors, symbols and images,
My expectations of you:
1. Come to class. 2. Read and complete all assignments. Nothing is worse than sitting in on a class where everyone else knows what is going on but you. 3. Hand in all assignments when they are due. All writing assignments are to be typed on 8 1/2 by 11" paper, double-spaced and should be created in Microsoft Word. You need to use a computer for this course and have access to Microsoft Word, as we will edit papers using “tracking”. You must keep all work on disks, hard drives, thumb drives as this will help enormously with revisions. Any missing work is your responsibility – NOT MINE. 4. Try. 5. Be honest. 6. Be on time. 7. If you have a problem, tell me. 8. When reviewing someone else's work, be respectful and truthful. The most important thing to say about any writing is what was effective; almost as important is to let the writer know where the writing lost friendly, intelligent readers. The primary question that we will ask in the workshop is, "what works well?" The secondary question will be, "how can it work better?" As well, remember that at times things of a personal nature are revealed in writing and respect this.
Assignments You will write five major pieces: a museum/destination review, a restaurant/eatery review, an off the beaten path piece, a written photographs assignment and the final travel project. As well, before your trip you will produce a researched itinerary that you will briefly present to the class and you will keep a photographic as well as a written journal of the trip(s) you take during spring break. Your writing should be distinctive, original and literary, and not a guidebook’s recitation of the facts of a place. Think about capturing in your writing a sense of enchantment or even the unpleasantness of a particular destination. How might a visitor be transformed by an excursion is a question to ask yourself. In addition, there will be brief weekly writing assignments, such as prescribed walks and a St. Valentine’s Day assignment. You will find the material of this course engaging but also demanding in its complexity. Because of the importance of revision and the fact that writing is a skill best learned through practice, be aware that the deadlines are firm. Most classes will require you to come prepared with a response paper or reading notes, as well as a draft or a finished paper. Extensive writing groundwork — and revision as well as reading will advance your writing. Assigned readings should be completed and prepared for discussion by the date specified. We will discuss student writing prepared for class sessions. Supplemental materials for various assignments and additional assigned readings appear on the Blackboard site for ENG 408. Communiqués: Each Wednesday you will hand in a communiqué. It will be typed, double-spaced and can be about anything (but think travel writing). Recount to me what you did over the weekend, how college is going for you, tell me about a movie you recommend, what your kids did at school, tell me about a reading you attended or a play. Communiqués are not necessarily scholarly pieces. Imagine you are writing me a letter and adopt a casual tone. Give yourself credit -- remember no one else can write what you can write. No one else has had your visions, or can interpret events the way you can. A communiqué does not have to be filled with brilliant prose. It is simply a way to get you to write and not worry too much about a grade. Imagine yourself having a conversation with a friend.
Course Incidentals
Attendance: Given the nature of this course it is essential that you come to class. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings few things should be more important. Any more than two absences will affect your final grade. An excess of unexplained absences might result in an instructor-initiated drop. You are responsible for all missed classes and work. Here are the names of two people you can call in case you are out of school:
-------------------------------------- Phone-----------------email----------------- -------------------------------------- Phone-----------------email----------------
By the second week of classes I will present you with a class list of email addresses. You must have a Salem State College e-mail address to fulfill the requirements of this course.
You may also always call or email me if you have questions about any assignment.
Office Hours: My office is in Meier Hall, Room 229 and I will be happy to meet with you at any time by appointment, or my scheduled office hours are Mondays from 12:30 to 2:00 and Wednesday from 11:00 to 1:30 and Fridays from 11:00 to 12:00. My home telephone number is 978.745.6788. My email address is regina.flynn@salemstate.edu. I check my e-mail up until about 8:00 at night – so if you have a question I’m good about a response.
College Performances: I require that you attend at least two college writing events or SSC plays. College is a fantastic time to encounter new and different experiences. We’re fortunate here at Salem State to be able to advantage our students with a wide range of events and presentations that profile writers and their work. In a communiqué, please let me know of something you attended and your reaction. This is mandatory.
Cell Phones: Turn ‘em off – unless there is a family medical emergency, which you should alert me about before class.
Dishonesty and Plagiarism: You can be expelled from the college for using work that is not your own. Hand in work using your own words, ideas and creativity.
Grading Procedures: All grades become final at the end of the semester. Assignments will count for 45% of your final grade, communiqués, 40% and class participation 15%.
When grading your work I consider the following: ü Use of effective language ü Fresh, bright images and descriptions ü Is there a sense of authenticity about the piece ü Error free manuscript
Course Philosophy: It is my job and my heart's desire to see you walk down the aisle at graduation. (I always go, it is a brilliant morning.) I will do everything in my power to get you there, not only in this particular writing course, but also at any other time during your career at Salem State College. Nothing means more to me than seeing my students go out into the world secure, articulate and well educated. Let us all work together toward this end.
Final Portfolio: At the end of the semester you will submit your final portfolio. This portfolio will include all communiqués, and the specific writing assignments you have been given over the course of the semester. You will be asked to evaluate your writing and then I will respond to your evaluation and consider all your work as a whole.
Assignments: If for any reason classes are cancelled – we will combine the current assignment/reading with the missed school day.
January
16 Overview 18 Writing Workout 23 Communiqué and Response to Pico Iyer Travel Piece 25 Writing Workout 28 Booth: Boat Camp + Buford: Lions & Tigers & Bears 30 Cahill: This Teeming Ark + Clynes: The Toughest Trucker in the World
February
1 Writing Workout 4 Valentine’s Day Draft 6 Communiqué + Workshop 8 Writing Workout – 1st Essay Due 11 Peabody Essex Museum 13 Irving: The First Drink of the Day + Jones, Lard is Good for You 15 Writing Workout 18 Presidents’ Day 20 Draft Due + Communique 22 Writing Workout – 2nd Essay Due 25 Hertsgaard: The Nile at Mile One + Halberstam: Nantucket on My Mind 27 Lansing: Confessions of a Cheese Smuggler, Rushin: Winter Rules 29 Final Itinerary Due + Writing Workout
March
3 Pre-write about trip 5 Workshop 7 Writing Workout 10-14 Spring Break 17 The Trips We Took 19 Brianstorm 21 Writing Workout 24 Ross: The Last Safari +Potts: Storming The Beach 26 Walking Exercise 28 Writing Workout 31 Walk Draft Due
April
2 Workshop 4 Writing Workout 7 Final Draft Due 9 Workshop 11 Workshop 14 Restaurant Review 16 Presentations 18 Presentations 21 Patriots Day Holiday 23 Final in class work day 25 Portfolios Due 28 Conferences 30 Mystery Assignment
May
2 Last Day of Class
Handicapped & Special Needs Students
Salem State College is committed to providing access to the educational experience for all students in compliance with Section 505 of the Rehabilitation Act by offering reasonable modifications for students. If any student has special needs, he/she should contact the instructor. |