Gather materials and write about  your understanding of home, and/or your home, and/or your relation to home. Come prepared to share these items/your work with the class. Although the assignment asks you to describe home, you are not limited to text--you can bring pictures, drawings etc. as well as text, or just images. Begin to consider a few general questions: What is creative about your writing? What is theoretical?  Can it be both? Does the public nature of the assignment change what you feel comfortable writing about ‘home’? If so, to what extent would this be true of any topic, and to what extent does thinking specifically about ‘home’ work to produce a split between what can be made public, or talked about, and what should be kept private, or remain unsaid? Why? The form is up to you and this assignment will be graded on a pass/fail basis – the only way to ‘get it wrong’ is by not doing it.

30% total

short, flexible creative writing assignments that engage with course themes and/or genres discussed in class. Details to be provided in class.

(1 of these assignments will be pass/fail, 2 will be worth 15%, your choice – you must let me know before the work is posted that you have elected a pass/fail option).  All work must be posted to webct before class time or circulated as a hard-copy to all members of the class on the day the assignment is due. All short works will be subject to peer critique.

15%

creative and critical responses inspired by the readings
You will be required to keep a portfolio. The portfolio will give you an opportunity to develop your thoughts about the readings, class discussions, and your own reactions to ‘writing home.’ The pieces in the portfolio needn’t be shared with the class, though pieces developed in your portfolio may be handed in as assignments, if you so choose. The major purpose of the journal is for you to ‘talk back to’ required readings – what do they make you think?  What do they encourage you to explore?  What do you need to say now? Be sure to show me some response/resonance with at least half of the required readings.  Beyond that , explore the possibilities – point form, drafts, visual art, photography, doodles, newspapers clippings, websites etc. are all perfect for the portfolio.  Take risks!

15% 

students will be divided into writing circles and will have the opportunity and the responsibility to read/listen to and comment constructively upon work submitted by peers.  More details to be provided in class.

10%  

A note on participation: being part of an intellectual community means attending class regularly and punctually, reading thoughtfully in advance and involving yourself in class discussions in a way that enables you and other students to learn.  This course demands that you commit to writing and reading on an ongoing basis. Classtime will include both a discussion of the week’s readings/themes and opportunities to share your written work in small groups.

25%

a creative/theoretical work engaging any aspect of the course material. Chosen in consultation with Caitlin.  10-15 pages or equivalent.  More details to be provided in class.

ACADEMIC HONESTY

Students are subject to policies regarding academic honesty as set out by the Senate of York University and the Faculty of Fine Arts. The Senate policy on academic honesty can be found on pages 74-79 of the 2001/2002 Undergraduate Calendar. The policy on academic honesty of the Faculty of Fine Arts is on pages 237 and 238 of the Undergraduate Calendar. Both these calendars are also on the York University main web site and linked via the class webpage. Breaches of academic honesty include such things as cheating on examinations and tests, the submission of one piece of work to satisfy two assignments without prior informed consent by both course directors, impersonation, plagiarism or the appropriation of someone else’s work and presenting it as one’s own, and obstruction of the academic activities of another.

DEADLINES

This syllabus lays out deadlines for assignments clearly. If any of these dates pose a problem for you, please consult me well in advance to negotiate a different due date. Exceptions can be made for reasons of domestic affliction or illness, with proper documentation; otherwise, work must be turned in on time, especially since the ability of others to engage with your work in a workshop situation is so important in this class.

ASSISTANCE

Lastly, I encourage you to contact me whenever you are having trouble with your work for this course or would like to bounce your ideas off me. I am in my office regularly on Monday mornings, but I realize that since you all lead busy lives, these times may not work for you. I am available at other times, too. The best way to ensure that I'll be around is to set up an appointment in advance, via email: Caitlin@yorku.ca