Sample Syllabi
by Ken Urban, Spring 2004
Creative Writing: Drama and Fiction
English 351:308
9AM-12PM Saturday
SC-101
Ken Urban
Department of English
Director of Plangere Writing Center
Murray Hall 308
732 932 1149
ken.urban@rutgers.edu
This course is devoted to the writing and development of plays
and fiction. It serves as an introduction to the "writing workshop," where
students share and respond to each other's work on a weekly basis.
You will present a work-in-progress (one fiction piece, one short
play) twice during the semester. In this course, our focus is on
drama and fiction, but we will also think about the ways in which
genres overlap. For instance, how can a poem be turned into lines
of dialogue? Or how can a play be transformed into a short story?
Central to this course's philosophy is that writing without an understanding
of form is impossible. To that end, the course will also be an introduction
to the "formal analysis" of plays and short stories. Students in
this course can expect to write critically as well as creatively
during our fourteen weeks together. There will also be guided exercises
in class to help stimulate the writing process (the use of "cut-ups," visualizing,
free writing).
Books for the Course:
Available from Rutgers University Bookstore, Ferren Mall
Paul C. Castagno, New Playwriting Strategies (New York
and London, Routledge, 2001)
Douglas Messerli and Mac Wellman, Eds. From the Other Side of
the Century II: A New American Drama, 1960-1995 . (Los Angeles,
CA: Sun and Moon Press, 1998)
Joyce Carol Oates, Ed. Telling Stories: An Anthology for Writers .
(New York and London: Norton, 1998)
Course Requirements:
-
Attendance and Participation in Workshop Discussions and Writing
Exercises (25%). You are expected to present work-in-progress twice
during the term and be an active participant in the workshop. If
the opportunity presents itself, you will be able to present work
more. On the week that you are presenting, you must get the writing
to me by Wednesday afternoon so I can photocopy it for the class.
If you cannot do so, you are responsible for bring photocopies
for the entire class. If you miss the course four times,
you will receive a failing grade for the course.
-
Two Writing Portfolios (50%): You will turn in a fiction portfolio
and a drama portfolio. See the schedule for due dates.
-
Ten "Formal Analysis" Papers (1 typed page each; 5 on fiction,
5 on plays) due at the start of each class. (25%). See schedule
and hand-out on "formal analysis."
Schedule
9/6: Introduction and Sign-up For Presentations
Discussion: Thinking about Writing
Fiction
All readings from Telling Stories
9/13: William Carlos Williams, "The Use of Force"
John Cheever, "Goodbye,
My Brother"
Joyce Carol Oates, "Introduction: Why We Write, Why We
Read"
Workshop: 5 Presenters
9/20: Bruno Schulz, "Father's Last Escape"
Italo Calvino, "Cities & The
Dead"
Franz Kafka, "The Judgment"
Donald Barthelme, "The Balloon"
Workshop: 5 Presenters
9/27: Richard Wright, from American Hunger
Grimm's Fairy
Tales, "Little Red-Cap"
Angela Carter, "The Werewolf"
Workshop: 5 Presenters
10/4: Peter Carey, "The Last Days of a Famous Mime"
Margaret Atwood, "The
Man from Mars"
David Leavitt, "Gravity"
Workshop: 5 Presenters
10/11: Raymond Carver, "Why Don't You Dance?"
Russell Banks, "Just
Don't Touch Anything"
Revision Workshop
Fiction Portfolio Due By Friday 10/17
Drama:
All readings in From the Other Side of the Century except
where noted
10/18: Edward Albee, The Zoo Story
Len Jenkin, American Notes
Paul Castagno, Chapters 1-3 from New Playwriting Strategies
In-class Playwriting Exercise
10/25: Craig Lucas, Reckless
Ronald Tavel, Boy on a Straight-Back Chair
Adrienne Kennedy, A Movie Star Has to Star in Black and White
Castagno, Chapters 4, 8 and 9 from New Playwriting Strategies
Workshop: 5 Presenters
11/1: Mac Wellman, The Hyacinth Macaw
Mac Wellman, Cleveland (Handout)
Mac Wellman, Three Americanisms (Handout)
Workshop: 5 Presenters
11/8: Mac Wellman's Visit to Class
Class Meets in Murray Hall Room
305 (Plangere Writing Center)
Read: Castagno, Chapter 7 and Wellman, "The Theatre of Good Intentions" (Handout)
No
Formal Analysis Paper Due
11/15: Tennessee Williams, The Gnadiges Fraulein
David Greenspan, Son of an Engineer
Suzan-Lori Parks, Imperceptible Mutabilities in the Third Kingdom
Workshop: 5 Presenters
11/22: Jeff Jones, Night Coil
Maria Irene Fornes, Abingdon Square
Naomi Iizuka, Tatoo Girl
Workshop: 5 Presenters
12/6: Final Class: Revision Workshop
No Formal Analysis Paper Due
Drama Portfolio Due By Friday 12/12
