ENGLISH 200 – INTRODUCTION TO CREATIVE WRITING

COURSE POLICIES & SYLLABUS

Professor Tim Hohmann – Fall 2021
CRN: 21FA4575 FALL 2021 8/23/2021 - 12/11/2021
Online Last day to withdraw:
10/28/2021
Welcome to English 200: Introduction to Creative Writing!
Instructor Information: This course is an introduction to the craft of various literary forms
Tim Hohmann (creative non-fiction, poetry, and fiction), emphasizing readings,
[email protected] composing practice, and revising various creative pieces for an
audience.
480-677-7725
Important: Course Focus: This course is centered on reading and
Course Messaging in Blackboard is creating original literary creative nonfiction, short fiction and original
the recommended and most poetry. Science Fiction/Fantasy and other types of genre-type writing
effective way to communicate will not be engaged with in this class. If are expecting to write
with me for this online class this science fiction or fantasy, this is not the course for you—but if you
semester. work in sci-fi or fantasy and want to work on craft, this course could
be beneficial for you.
Virtual Office Hours: MWF
How this course works:
12noon –1pm: click on Blackboard You will have the opportunity to fulfill class assignments and
link to speak with me live during participate in our discussions 24/7 on Blackboard (excepting when
this time; I can also meet at other Blackboard is down, and this will happen more than periodically
times: Course Message me to throughout the semester). You will not be required to be online at a
work it out. particular time. This course’s delivery method is asynchronous—
meaning you will not be required to “show up” or be online at any
Face to Face: Superstition
particular time—though each and every assignment and task will have
Mountain Campus F 123: T/TH: a specific due date; you will have many online responsibilities each
1:15 – 2:15pm week; you should expect to spend at least six hours a week online.
Language & Literary Arts Division This course, however, is not self-paced, meaning that while you will
Chair: work on your own, on your own time; you may not work ahead on
Karen Hindhede tasks or assignments. A large portion of your final course grade
involves your participation in the course (your Course Engagement
[email protected]
Signal Peak Campus, L112 grade)—your overall participation will be closely monitored—and I will
(520) 494-5074 grade you accordingly.
Click here to see the Incompletes, Caveat/Note on Official Curriculum/Course Outline:
Plagarism and Grade Appeal Polices The class assumes that you are adequately prepared for it and have
satisfied all prerequisites, which are: ENG 101 with a grade of “C” or
Need Advising? better or the equivalent. I reserve the right to change the delivery of
Advising Appointment Link course content based upon the needs of the class.
You should expect to spend about 9 hours a week on this course. A 3-
credit hour course requires 45 hours of instruction which would equal
3 hours each week (which would be the class meeting times in a
traditional class). The college course guidelines also state that a total
6 hours of independent study time should be spent on the course each
week, which equals about 9 hours a week. If your schedule cannot
accommodate this much time, I would recommend that you withdraw
from the course.
Academic Success Coach:
Click Here to Get More Information
To access an Academic Success Coach *text YES to 520-201-
3330*Then choose Option #3

Required Text & Materials

Required Text:
Imaginative Writing: The Elements of Craft, Fourth Edition, Janet Burroway.
Our text is available at the CAC Bookstore. You can get a copy wherever you can find out—but make sure you get
the Fourth Edition; previous editions of the text are quite different and will not line up with our readings.
CAC Bookstore website.
Required: Very reliable Internet access and a reliable means of saving work electronically; it will be difficult to be
successful in this course without your own computer or easy access to a reliable (shared) computer and easy
access to the internet—from which to view our course Blackboard shell where the business of the course will be
conducted. Some laptops are available for loan through the college.
Required: Microsoft Word: I will be commenting on your work using comment boxes in Word. If you use other
word processing programs it will be more difficult and awkward for me to comment on your work and for your
classmates to view your work.
Microsoft Office (which includes Word) is available for free from the college.
English 200 Learning Outcomes
o Discuss published examples of creative nonfiction, short fiction, and literary poetry.
o Describe the unique characteristics of creative nonfiction, short fiction, and literary poetry.
o Identify literary concepts and techniques, such as characterization, imagery, voice, setting and storytelling.
o Employ the writing process to make improvements in creative nonfiction, short fiction and poetry.
o Accurately criticize and assess other students' written work.
o Compose original works of creative nonfiction, short fiction, and literary poetry.
Grading & Written Work
 Grade Categories %
Creative Nonfiction Essay
(Assn. 1) 20%
Short Story (Assn. 2) 20%
Poetry Portfolio (Assn. 3) 20%
Course Engagement 20%
Process Work 20%
Your final grade is based upon your performance on written assignments, your attendance/participation (Course
Engagement) and your overall consistency on written work (Process Work). Your final course grade is calculated as
follows:
Creative Nonfiction Essay (Assn. 1) = 20%
Short Story (Assn. 2) = 20%
Poetry Portfolio (Assn. 3) = 20%
(60% for polished writing)
Course Engagement (Class participation/postings to Discussion Boards) = 20%
Process Work (All submitted work other than final drafts of Assignments) = 20%
(40% for work ethic)
Note the difference between Posting and Submitting: All Discussion Board responses, peer review comments, and
other similar responses typed in text boxes (online discussions) are considered to be Postings. All exercises,
responses, drafts, and assignments which are typed in document files and uploaded to Blackboard are considered
to be Submitted work.
Generally speaking, when I discuss “assignments,” I’m referring to one of the major writing assignments, the
descriptions of which follow. Students are graded primarily on the degree to which they meet learning outcomes,
not how much time and effort is put forth in the course. Course Engagement and Process Work will be graded
using a √-, √, and √+ system (these equate in Grade Book to: 6, 8, and 10 points, and sometimes in between
these or less based upon quality of response). Assignments will be given letter and numeric grades, which
correspond to CAC Literary Arts & Languages Department standards based on content, organization, expression,
and mechanics. Your grade will be calculated numerically; you will receive the corresponding letter grade as your
final course grade based upon your cumulative percentage points:
A (100-90); B (89-80); C (79-70); D (69-60); F (59-0)
Professor’s Note on the Grades: As a fiction writer and creative writing instructor, I realize that grading creative
work is problematic, and very subjective. With this understanding, I endeavor to respond (and grade) assignments
as objectively as possible: You will be graded as to the degree that you meet the criteria, objectives (learning
outcomes), and constraints outlined in formal assignments and the degree to which you adhere to and respond
to the directives of particular exercises, tasks in Discussion Board, and other obligations for the course.
English 200 Written Work Overview
This is an intensive writing course. You will have writing exercises to complete and postings due to Discussion
Board on a weekly basis and will have drafts or assignments due every other week or so. All submitted work
should be double-spaced in 12-point font (Times New Roman). Put your name, my name, course title and the date
of the assignment in the upper left hand corner of the first page, number the pages and put your name on them.
Assignments should have titles. Responses and Exercises only need to indicate what they are. In short: follow
general MLA guidelines for paper formatting.
Assignments: You have three formal writing assignments due over the course of the semester. These assignments
represent the majority of your grade for this course, as they reflect what you have learned about writing in
practice. You will submit drafts of the first two assignments, which will be work-shopped with your peers. I will
provide an assignment sheet for each of the assignments and prepare invention work to help facilitate your
writing process. I highly encourage you to contact me if you need help during any step of the writing process for
these assignments.
Here are brief descriptions of our Assignments:
Assignment One: Creative Nonfiction Essay: For this assignment, you will develop a reflective personal essay
about a significant event or a consistent pattern/theme in your life—with an awareness of telling your story
dramatically and vividly, incorporating narration and descriptive techniques to engage your audience.
Assignment Two: Short Story: Building off what you have learned about constructing a narrative in Assignment
One, for this assignment you will compose an original work of literary fiction—the theme/focus/structure are
entirely up to you—the major constraint being that the work be literary, not “genre”—meaning not science
fiction/fantasy, etc.
Assignment Three: Poetry Portfolio: For this assignment you will compose two original poems in response to
specific prompts.

Course & College Policies:

Policy on class attendance: Because writing classes are performance courses that depend upon student
attendance for both the class and the student’s success, this policy is non-negotiable: As this is an online class,
your class “attendance” corresponds to your logging onto the course shell on Blackboard. If you fail to log on
for more than two weeks over the course of the semester, you will fail with a grade of “F.” As previously
mentioned, the expectation, of course, is that you will spend approximately six hours a week online, working
on projects, assignments, or participating in discussions for this class: This participation will be evaluated by me
as part of your Course Engagement grade. Students who exceed the absence policy will fail the class with a
grade of “WF,” unless they withdraw themselves from the class by the 10 th week of the semester (Thursday,
October 28). 
The following is Central Arizona College’s official policy in regard to attendance/absences:
Excused Absences: Absences from class due to authorized participation in College sponsored activities will be
considered as excused absences. Absences due to student or family member illness, death of family member, or
other extenuating circumstances will be considered for excused absences. There will be no institutionally
sanctioned penalty associated with excused absences; the Academic Dean will make designation of excused
absences. The faculty or staff sponsoring an activity requiring students’ absence shall provide a written list of
students to all faculty members concerned at least one (1) week prior to the absence. One list may be distributed
to cover absences during an entire semester.
Unexcused Absences: Absences other than excused will be considered unexcused absences. Instructors may
recommend to the Division Chair the administrative withdrawal of a student from class for excessive unexcused
absences, and no refunds will be authorized. Students may appeal administrative withdrawals to the Academic
Dean.
Make-Up Assignments and Exams: The student is responsible to make up any assignments or exams missed
because of an excused absence. Arrangements for make-up assignments or exams must be made with the
individual instructor prior to the absence. At the discretion of the instructor, a student may be denied the
opportunity to make up assignments or exams missed because of an unexcused absence. Makeup assignments or
exams for unexcused absences shall not be punitive in nature.
Punctuality: Students are expected to be prompt in each of their classes meetings. Instructors are authorized to
take appropriate actions, including recommending administrative withdrawal of a student from class because of
excessive student tardiness.
Important: This is CAC’s withdrawal policy:
Regular/Short Term Courses:
Students can request an official withdrawal during the first two-thirds of the class based on the beginning and
end date as listed in the schedule of classes. During this period a student may withdraw regardless of reason and
must initiate and complete the withdrawal request through the registrar’s office. Instructor permission is not
needed. During the final one-third of the course, if there are extenuating circumstances, a student can request an
official withdrawal. The approval of both the instructor and division chair/program director will be required. It is
your responsibility to withdraw/drop the course if you are failing or decide not to complete the course.
2. The public nature of class writing and discussion: Please consider every piece of writing you do for this class to
be "public property." Part of becoming a good writer is learning to appreciate the ideas and criticisms of others,
and in this course our purpose is to come together as a writing community. Remember that you will often be
expected to share your writing with others, so avoid writing about things that you may not be prepared to subject
to public scrutiny, or things you feel so strongly about that you are unwilling to listen to perspectives other than
your own. This does not mean that you are not entitled to an opinion but that you adopt positions responsibly,
contemplating their possible effect on others.
3. Late Assignments: Assignments are to be submitted on time, by the due date. A half letter grade will be
deducted for each day that an Assignment is turned in after its due date. We have three major Assignments in this
class: Assignment Three (Poetry Portfolio) has three parts—this policy applies to each of these parts (poems).
Final Drafts of Assignments may not be revised for a better grade. Late Writing Exercises and Discussion Board
posts will be accepted at reduced credit—but there is a one-week window on submitting this work late: Writing
Exercises and Discussion Posts submitted/posted over one week after due date will not be accepted (and will be
graded as a 0—no credit; this is because the learning in this course is progressive and accruing; we are learning
and moving along and I am very busy responding to student work/moving the class along and do not want to go
back to material we have already covered.
4. All writing for this class must be written for this class: To pass this class all major writing assignments must
be completed (three), and note that all of your writing for this class must be original material written specifically
in response to assignments and other writing tasks assigned for this class. You may not reuse or revise a material
you wrote for another class, or back in high school. You may not use any part of any writing you are working on
for another class—as part of your work for this class. A violation of these polices constitutes academic dishonesty
and will result in a zero (no credit) on the assignment or task in question.
5. Plagiarism: CAC recognizes the seriousness of plagiarism, which is defined as turning in someone else's work
and calling it your own. At CAC plagiarism is treated as a dishonest action, an issue of dishonorable behavior.
There are two types of plagiarism to beware of—intentional and unintentional plagiarism. Intentional
plagiarism is an obvious type of cheating that includes turning in writing that you are falsely presenting as your
own. It may be writing that was produced by a roommate, a spouse, an essay bought from the Internet, and
passages copied from a research source such as a book, magazine, or web site. Allowing another student to copy
your work is another type of intentional plagiarism.
In addition, students are expected to avoid unintentional plagiarism, which means including in your own
work and passing off as your own writing, phrases, sentences, paragraphs, or more, that are only slightly changed
from the original source. To avoid unintentional plagiarism, you must paraphrase properly and identify the original
writer and source; this is called citing your work. Citations can be done in a few different formats, and your
instructors are eager to help you learn how to cite your sources correctly. Unintentional plagiarism can also
include passing off somebody else’s ideas (not just words) as your own without indicating that the idea or
information came from somewhere else. Finally, unintentional plagiarism also can be allowing someone else to
make significant wording alterations or editing changes to your writing.
 Penalties for plagiarism, according to CAC's Violations of the Student Code of Conduct, can be severe. They
may range from failure of an assignment to failure of a course, to referral to the Dean, to dismissal from a
program of study. These actions are not meant to be threatening, but to ensure that students understand that the
school takes plagiarism seriously. The underlying message of the CAC plagiarism policy is that instructors are
committed to encouraging student writers to use source material correctly and develop the confidence to express
themselves in their own unique ways.
Proctored Essays: To preserve the integrity of grades and the CAC Writing Program, faculty reserve the right to
require a student to write a proctored essay on a specific topic should there be any concern that writing done for
the class is not the student's own.  In such cases, the faculty member shall inform the Division Chair.  The student
will be required to attend a CAC-sanctioned testing site and write a proctored essay on a given topic.  The essay
will then be compared with the work produced for the class to determine if the work is the student's.  In some
instances, more than one proctored essay may be required.  It is the student's responsibility to prove he or she
has written the work for the class.
COURSE EXPECTATIONS:
Course Protocol: Much of our work in this class will consist of discussions and peer workshops: You are expected
to be prepared, to contribute, and to participate in an appropriate fashion—and of course, you are evaluated
(graded) on how effectively you address discussion criteria. This is a workshop-oriented class: You must be aware
of sharing your opinions thoughtfully, contemplating their effect on others.
Class Preparation: You must be prepared to write, to share your exercises and short story drafts with others. This
means you must work steadily on your own.
Homework Expectations: The following is CAC policy: For every credit hour earned for a course, a student will
spend at least two hours outside of class working on coursework. Writing classes frequently require more time
from students than other classes.
Keeping all work: It is your responsibility to keep all of your writing for this course: Save all working drafts,
exercises and stories electronically (ideally in multiple locations). Please do not delete anything until semester’s
end.
Problem Solving: I encourage you to ask me questions and conference with me, if you wish to discuss your
writing, your performance, or any issues connected with the course. I tend to be lenient with students who take
the initiative to come to me with their concerns before they become crises. I have less tolerance for students who
permit things to slide until a crisis is unavoidable. It is in your best interest to be accountable.
Disability Accommodations: Central Arizona College provides reasonable accommodations for students with
documented disabilities, including documented temporary medical conditions, in compliance with Federal Law
(ADA).  Students must be registered with the Student Accessibility Service office. The Student Accessibility
Services department travels to all campuses and centers.  All information is kept confidential.The Disability
Resource Office is located in the “M” building at the Signal Peak Campus. Students may contact Cheryl Hernandez,
Disability Resource Service Coordinator at 520.494.5409 or [email protected] set up an individual
meeting. The Disability Resource Service Coordinator travels to all campuses and centers. All information is kept
confidential.
*Pregnancy or a partner’s pregnancy is now considered a temporary disability under the Title IX.  Please contact
the Disability Services Resource Coordinator for more information and assistance.  You are also welcome to
contact me should you have any questions.
Title IX Syllabus Statement: Addressing Incidents of Title IX Sexual Harassment
In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Central Arizona College (CAC) prohibits
unlawful sexual harassment against any participant in its education programs or activities. Sexual harassment
includes quid pro quo (this for that) harassment, hostile environment, sexual assault, dating/domestic violence,
and stalking. This prohibition against sexual harassment—including sexual violence— applies to students, CAC
employees, and visitors to campus.  
The policy of Central Arizona College (CAC) is to provide an educational, employment, and business environment
free of sexual violence, unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical
conduct or communications constituting sexual harassment as prohibited by state and federal law. Incidents of
sexual misconduct should be reported via email, phone, or in person to the college Title IX Coordinator or any
other Official with Authority, as outlined in the policy. For more information on Title IX please visit
https://centralaz.edu/about-cac/title-ix/.  Incidents can be submitted through the following link
https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?CentralAZCollege&layout_id=40

English 200 Syllabus: Readings, Assignments & Due Dates

Important Note on Reading Content: The study of writing and an understanding of literature will involve encounters with a broad range
of human experiences and behaviors. The discussions and readings covered in this class may occasionally touch upon language and
subject matter that some might find objectionable.
Your continued presence in the class indicates that you have read these course policies and agree to abide by their provisions; it is
also understood that you understand and accept the syllabus which follows: This is our contract for the course.
English 200 Syllabus:
Tentative & General Schedule of Readings, Assignments & Due Dates
This schedule is subject to change, and will very likely change; changes and more specific class information and
instructions will be posted on Announcements on Blackboard; it is your responsibility to keep up with all that
involves the course. Special Note about Due Dates: These appear in bold throughout this syllabus: All writing
exercises and major assignments can be submitted at any time on the due date. All written work: exercises and
major assignments should be submitted under Assignments in Word files in Blackboard.

Week 1
TH 26 Aug Introduction of Instructor; Introduction to Course and Curriculum.
ASAP:
o Purchase Text; read over Course Policies: These are your binding contracts with the course.

For this Friday Aug 27:

o Complete first post for Discussion Board 1: “Peer Introductions”: compose an introduction to yourself.

F 27 Aug Introduction due in Discussion Board 1: “Peer Introductions.”

For Next Tuesday Aug. 31:
o Complete response to a peer’s post in Discussion Board 1.

Week 2
M 30 Aug Class Changes/Drop-Add.
T 31 Aug Response to peer’s post in Discussion Board 1 Due.
During this week under Info, Docs & Links:
o Watch the video: “What is Creative Nonfiction?”
o Look over: Summary/Scene PowerPoint and “The Four Types of Literary Composition” (handout).
For This Friday. Sept. 3:
o Read in text: Chapter 1: “Invitation to the Writer” (1-11) and Chapter 8 “Creative Nonfiction” (225-36) and
 the essay “Standing By” by David Sedaris (29-33).
o Complete Discussion Board posts on (above) readings in Reading Responses Discussion Board.

F 3 Sept Discussion Board Posts Due to Chapters 1 & 8 and Sedaris.

For next Tuesday Sept 7:
o In Assignments: Complete Writing Exercise #1: Job Memoir

Week 3
T 7 Sept Writing Exercise #1: Job Memoir Due.
For This Friday Sept. 10:
o Read in text: Chapter 5 “Setting” (135-47) and Mat Coffey’s “Yakima” posted in Info, Docs & Links.
o Complete Discussion Board posts on (above) readings in Reading Responses Discussion Board.

F 10 Sept Discussion Board Posts Due to Chapter 5 and Coffey.

For Next Wednesday September 15:

o Read Chapter 2 “Image” (15-27); and Bernard Cooper’s “Clack of Tiny Sparks” posted in Info, Docs & Links.
o Complete Discussion Board posts on (above) readings in Reading Responses Discussion Board.

Week 4
W 15 Sept Discussion Board Posts Due.
For Next Monday September 20:
o Complete Writing Exercise #2

Week 5
M 20 Sept Writing Exercise #2 Due.
Introduction of Creative Nonfiction Essay Assignment (Assignment One).
For Next Wednesday September 29:
o Complete First Draft of CNF Essay (Assignment One).

Week 6
W 29 Sept First Draft of Creative Nonfiction Essay (Assignment One) Due.
For Next Wednesday October 6:
o Read in Chapter 7 “The Workshop”: (208-11).
o In Discussion Board: Complete Discussion Board posts for Writing Workshop.

Week 7
W 6 Oct Discussion Board posts due for Writing Workshop.
45 Day Census
For Next Wednesday October 13:
o Complete Final Draft of CNF Essay Assignment One. Refer to Chapter 7: “Revision” (203-08).

Week 8
W 13 Oct Final Draft of Assignment One Due.
For Wednesday October 20:
 o Read Chapter 4 “Character” (94-109) and Chapter 6 “Story” (166-75) and selected short stories; complete
discussion posts on readings in Reading Responses Discussion Board.

Week 9
M 18 Oct Introduction to Fiction

W 20 Oct Discussion Board posts due to Chapter Readings.

For next Monday October 25:
o Complete Writing Exercise #3

Week 10
M 25 Oct Writing Exercise #3 Due. Introduction of Short Story Assignment (Assignment Two).
For Next Monday November 1:
o Read Chapter 9 “Fiction” (259-70), Chapter 3 “Voice” (47-61), and handout on Point of View posted in Info,
Docs & Links and selected short stories.
o Complete discussion posts on readings in Reading Responses Discussion Board.

TH 28 Oct Last Day to Withdraw from Semester Length classes.

Week 11
M 1 Nov Discussion Board posts due. Begin work on Short Story Assignment
For next Monday November 8:
o Complete First Draft of Assignment Two: Short Story.

Week 12
M 8 Nov First Draft of Assignment Two (Short Story) Due.
For next Monday November 15:
o Review in Chapter 7 “The Workshop”: (208-11).
o In Discussion Board: Complete Discussion Board posts for Writing Workshop.

Week 13
M 15 Nov Discussion Board Posts Due for Writing Workshop
For next Monday November 22:
o Complete Final Draft of Assignment Two (Short Story).

Week 14
M 22 Nov Final Draft of Assignment Two (Short Story) Due. Introduction to Poetry and introduction of
Assignment Three: Poetry Portfolio.
For next Monday November 29:
o Read Chapter 10: “Poetry” and poems that follow chapter (297-327).
o Read selected poems and complete Poem #1 as portion of Assignment Three.

Week 15
M 29 Nov Poem # 1 Due.
For this Thursday December 2:
o Read and respond to peer poems in Poetry Workshop.
TH 2 Dec Discussion Board Posts Due for Poem #1 Workshop
For this Monday December 6:
o Read selected poems and complete Poem #2 as portion of Assignment Three.

Week 16
M 6 Dec Poem #2 Due.
For this Thursday December 9:
o Read and respond to peer poems in Poetry Workshop.

TH 9 Dec Discussion Board Posts Due for Poem #2 Workshop

Closing Course Business.
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