Appalachian Studies 490

APST 490: Highland Summer Conference Writers' Workshop

Prerequisites: CORE 101 and CORE 102

Cross-Listed: ENGL 490

Designed to give students a concentrated study in a specialized area of English.

Note(s): Grading on Pass/ Fail basis but may be taken for a letter grade with the permission of the chair. May be taken twice for credit. Depending upon the topic, this course may be used to meet requirements for the minor in Appalachian Studies.


Detailed Description of Course

As the umbrella course for the Highland Summer Conference, the Summer Workshop offers a one-week intensive study with a visiting Appalachian writer. The creative writing workshops in poetry, fiction, drama, and essay provide practical instruction in the preparation and criticism of manuscripts. Typically the students share their work with the visiting artist, their classmates, and on occasion the public. The Appalachian Studies component of the workshop generally focuses on the area of expertise of the visiting scholar, which may range from literature to folklore to the culture as a whole. Typically the students read widely from Appalachian literature and complete projects on their own special interests to share with the other workshop participants. Generally Appalachian Studies and creative writing interests are combined within a single workshop's scope.


Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

The assignments vary by guest authors and their expectations, but at a minimum, students will be required to produce a portfolio of their writing completed during and after the workshop.


Student Goals and Objectives of the Course

1. Students will become acquainted with publishing authors who also serve as teaching practitioners in writing workshops designed to critique the students' own work.
2. Students should learn how to write creatively in a supportive environment peopled by their workshop peers, staff members of the summer workshop, and the visiting authors-professors.
3. Students should refine skills necessary to continue writing beyond the workshop, especially those who aspire to publication.
    

Assessment Measures

Because this course is taught by visiting authors-professors and is outside the realm of conventional college courses, assessment measures will vary widely. However, the typical pattern is for the student to produce a portfolio of writing during the workshop. Selected pieces are shared orally and critiqued by other students in the workshop, as well as by the professor. Finally, the portfolio is passed to the professor who judges the total effort on a pass/fail basis.


Other Course Information

Bibliography varies by guest author


Review and Approval

2012