Class Name: Writing Fiction I & 2 (Spring 2022)
Class Code: ENGL 3301 (#20665)/ENGL 3302 (#21971) Section TR2
Class Room: 3404 Boylan Hall
Meeting Time: Tues./Thurs. 2:15-3:30
Instructor: Prof. Helen Phillips (she/her)
Email: HPhillips@brooklyn.cuny.edu
Office hour: Thurs. 3:30-4:30
Office: 3108 Boylan Hall
Course Requirements
(a) articulate your observations about the piece.
(b) ask the writer questions have about the piece.
Extra Credit
Option #1: Attend a Literary Event (in person or remote). In order to get credit, email me the event details and a paragraph in which you describe your experience.
Option #2: Review a Literary Magazine. Read at least three works in a literary magazine (many are listed here), and write a one-to-two-page description of what you read.
Required Reading
Grades
Attendance Policies
University Policies & Information
Plagiarism: The faculty and administration of Brooklyn College support an environment free from cheating and plagiarism. Each student is responsible for being aware of what constitutes cheating and plagiarism and for avoiding both. The complete text of the CUNY Academic Integrity Policy and the Brooklyn College procedure for policy implementation can be found at www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bc/policies. If a faculty member suspects a violation of academic integrity and, upon investigation, confirms that violation, or if the student admits the violation, the faculty member MUST report the violation. Students should be aware that faculty may use plagiarism detection software.
Accommodations for Disability: The Center for Student Disability Services (CSDS) is committed to ensuring students with disabilities enjoy an equal opportunity to participate at Brooklyn College. In order to receive disability-related academic accommodations, students must first be registered with CSDS. Students who have a documented disability or suspect they may have a disability are invited to schedule an interview by calling (718) 951-5538 or emailing Josephine.Patterson@brooklyn.cuny.edu If you have already registered with CSDS, email Josephine.Patterson@brooklyn.cuny.edu or testingcsds@brooklyn.cuny.edu to ensure accommodation emails are sent to your professor.
Consideration of Religious Observance: New York State Education Law requires that we “make available to each student who is absent from school, because of his or her religious beliefs, an equivalent opportunity to make up any examination, study or work requirements which s/he may have missed because of such absence on any particular day or days.”
Student Bereavement Policy: Students who experience the death of a loved one must contact the Division of Student Affairs, 2113 Boylan Hall, if they wish to implement either the Standard Bereavement Procedure or the Leave of Absence Bereavement Procedure. More information.
The Magner Career Center: The Magner Career Center, located in 1303 James Hall, has valuable resources, including resume and interview preparation, finding an internship, choosing a career, and more. Please review the 10 Tips to Plan Your Dream Career (tinyurl.com/magnertoptips) to take charge of your career success.
Student Support Services: Including Food Pantry & Counseling
Sexual and Gender-based Harassment, Discrimination, and Title IX: Brooklyn College is committed to fostering a safe, equitable and productive learning environment. Students experiencing any form of prohibited discrimination or harassment on or off campus can find information about the reporting process, their rights, specific details about confidentiality, and reporting obligations of Brooklyn College employees on the Office of Diversity and Equity Programs website. All reports of sexual misconduct or discrimination should be made to Ivana Bologna, Title IX Coordinator (718.951.5000, ext. 3689), and may also be made to Public Safety (719.951.5511), the New York City Police Department (911 or a local NYPD precinct), or Michelle Vargas, Assistant Director of Judicial Affairs, Division of Student Affairs (718.951.5352) as appropriate.
Course Schedule
Readings/assignments are due on the day they are listed.
Blackboard posts are due Mon. at midnight; Blackboard responses are due Tues. at midnight.
Tues. 2/1 Introduction to course
Thurs. 2/3 Assignment: Bring in a paragraph from a published piece of writing to which you have a strong reaction. Please type this paragraph & bring in 21 copies.
Tues. 2/8 NO CLASS (Friday Conversion Day)
Thurs. 2/10 “Robo-Baby” Matthea Harvey
“Twilight” J. Robert Lennon
“Fingers” Rachel Heng
“Thin City 5” Italo Calvino
“The Letter from Home” Jamaica Kincaid
Tues. 2/15 “The Swan as Metaphor for Love” Amelia Gray
“Mary When You Follow Her” Carmen Maria Machado
“Zoology” Natalie Diaz
“Jane Death Theory #13” Rion Amilcar Scott
“Rongorongo” Ed Park
Thurs. 2/17 In-Class Writing Intensive
“Your Brain on Fiction” Annie Murphy Paul
Tues. 2/22 Flash Fiction Assignment (300 Words) + 4 Short Shares
Thurs. 2/24 “Puppy” George Saunders
“The Burglar” Sarah Shun-lien Bynum
Tues. 3/1 Point-of-View Assignment + 4 Short Shares
Thurs. 3/3 “Birds in the Mouth” Samanta Schweblin
“The Hunter” E.L. Doctorow
Tues. 3/8 (Un)Familiar Assignment + 4 Short Shares
Thurs. 3/10 “Interiors” Kathleen Collins
“The First Full Thought of Her Life” Deb Olin Unferth
Tues. 3/15 Innovative Structure Assignment + 4 Short Shares
Thurs. 3/17 “Friday Black” Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
“Fairy Tale” Alexandra Kleeman
Tues. 3/22 “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” Ursula K. Le Guin
“The Ones Who Stay and Fight” N.K. Jemisin
Intro to How Long Till Black Future Month by N.K. Jemisin
Thurs. 3/24 Zoom Event: Author & BC alum De’Shawn Charles Winslow
Prepare 3 questions for De’Shawn
First chapter of In West Mills De’Shawn Charles Winslow
Tues. 3/29 “Parable” Assignment + 4 Short Shares
Thurs. 3/31 Bring 3 questions for One Story editor Lena Valencia
One Story Reading Assignment
Tues. 4/5 2 Workshops
Thurs. 4/7 2 Workshops
Tues. 4/12 2 Workshops
Thurs. 4/14 2 Workshops
Tues. 4/19 SPRING BREAK
Thurs. 4/21 SPRING BREAK
Tues. 4/26 2 Workshops
Thurs. 4/28 2 Workshops
Tues. 5/3 2 Workshops
Thurs. 5/5 2 Workshops
Tues. 5/10 2 Workshops
Thurs. 5/12 2 Workshops
Tues. 5/17 Course Wrap-Up & Celebration
Writer’s Life Discussion (bring questions)
Thurs. 5/19 Final Portfolios
due via email to HPhillips@brooklyn.cuny.edu by midnight