Schedule

Module A: Invention, Identity, & the Creative Process

Class Frameworks & Additional Contexts Preparing for Class Graded Assessments
T 1/14 Introduction: Understanding Our Own Processes for Invention Think about moments when writing / creativity have been easy for you and difficult for you.
R 1/16 Radical Self-Acceptance in the Creative Process Ch. 1: Introduction (Angelou, Barnwell)

Maya Angelou, “Phenomenal Woman” (1978); [Read by Angelou]

Ysaye M. Barnwell, Sweet Honey in the Rock, No Mirrors in My Nana’s House (1992)

Bring your blank commonplace books (a small—perhaps 5”x7”—unlined journal). Bring these books to EVERY class meeting.
T 1/21 Creating and Trusting in the Habits of Discipline The Creative Habit (Tharp)

(Link to reading)

Complete a one-page entry in your commonplace book based on this reading (pull 1-3 quotes; interpret the quotes through written commentary and/or illustration). You will repeat this process before every class meeting.
R 1/23 Our Bodies, Our Vessels, Our Identities Ch. 2: Oppressive Structures (Freire, Dickens, Baldwin)

One-page commonplace entry

Freewrite: Set a timer for 15 minutes and type up your experiences with social constructions of identity. Begin creating a character to communicate these ideas. Specifically, reflect on “how your character’s voice is silenced or how it finds expression.”

Bring a digital or print copy of your freewrite to class today.
T 1/28 Writing Blocks: Understanding Fear Ch. 3: Discovery (Stafford interview and poems)

One-page commonplace entry

Freewrite: “what scares your character the most.”
R 1/30 What Happens When We Re-Awaken? Ch. 5: Awakenings (Rich essay and poems)

Freewrite: “how has your character escaped difficulty, confinement, or some other obstacle.” Focus on their personal history and the process of awakening.
T 2/4 How Will We Be Remembered? Ch. 6: Legacy (Walker)

Do a 15-minute timed writing on “your character’s life as you admire it 20 years from now.”
R 2/6 Revision Look back over all your materials— freewrites,  commonplace book, in-class writing, and homework exercises. Organize your materials into a single document according to the assignment parameters. Character Sketch Portfolio, Due on Blackboard Friday, end of day

 

Module B: Close Reading, Analysis, & Production

Class Frameworks & Additional Contexts Preparing for Class Graded Assessments
T 2/11 Staying Inside the Image: Memory, Image, and Context Ch. 1: Images (Osborn)

Emily Mary Osborn, Nameless and Friendless (1857)
R 2/13 Images Lynda Barry, What It Is (available on Blackboard)
T 2/18 Images Bring an image of your choice. It could be a painting or a photograph, a famous image or a personal one.
 R 2/20 Exploring Images, Time, and Space

In-class: “Here” (1991, motion video)

 Ch. 2: Space (McGuire)
T 2/25 Fairy Tales: Interpreting Symbols in Bluebeard Symbolism (Perrault, Estes)

Link to Reading
R 2/27 Method: Close reading Reread a piece of literature that you have enjoyed in the past. Poems, stories, essays, and novels that you read in high school or during a previous semester are all suitable choices.

For your commonplace book, copy several passages that speak to you.
Class Frameworks & Additional Contexts Preparing for Class Graded Assessments
T 3/3 The Psychology of Objects Ch. 3: Objects (Bradbury)
R 3/5 Method: Close reading Reread a piece of literature that you have enjoyed in the past. Poems, stories, essays, and novels that you read in high school or during a previous semester are all suitable choices.

For your commonplace book, copy several passages that speak to you.
Class Frameworks & Additional Contexts Preparing for Class Graded Assessments
T 3/10 Practicing multiple methods Use the Lynda Barry method (look up, down, all around to visualize the images) to zero in on the observations and interpretations in your selected text (i.e. single words / images).

Try using the Oxford English Dictionary [access off-campus via WSU libraries] to dig deeper into the definition and connotations associated with the language in your text.
R 3/12 Workshop Bring a rough draft of your close reading and reflection Close Reading Portfolio due, Friday 11:59pm on Blackboard

 

Module C. Synthesis and Patterns

Class Frameworks & Additional Contexts Preparing for Class Graded Assessments
T 3/24 Watch: “Inside Amy Schumer: Compliments” (2013) “Dispatches from a Body Perfect World,” from The Feminist Utopia Project (2015), p. 28
R 3/26 Introduction to Patterns Ch. 1: Patterns (Hardy, Pinsky, Collins)
T 3/31 Fairy Tales: Disrupting Patterns in Cinderella Ch. 2: Contexts (Perrault, Sexton)
R 4/2 Detecting Patterns in Our Lives Ch. 3: Series (Rettberg, Eagleman)
T 4/7 Narrative Psychology and Algorithms

Explore: The World Well-Being Project

 “Predicting Well-Being Through the Language of Social Media” (2016)

“What an Introvert Sounds Like” (2014)
R 4/9 Narrative Psychology and Storytelling “Life’s Stories” (2015)

“This Is Your Life and How You Tell It” (2007)
T 4/14 Workshop
R 4/16 Workshop Patterns Portfolio due on Blackboard, Friday 11:59PM,
T 4/21 Workshop
R 4/23 Workshop
T 4/28 Workshop
R 4/30 Workshop Capstone Paper due Friday at 11:59PM
Final Letter on Blackboard Monday at 11:59pm