Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Creative Writing in the Genres (Face-to-Face)

ENGL 2320-01

Course: ENGL 2320-01
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: ENGL
CRN: 12122

Course Description

A foundational, process-based course for creative writing majors in the craft, tools, and techniques of three genres: fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. Students will compose works of their own informed by traditional and contemporary models. Instructors may place special emphasis on the genre of their primary field. (Fall, Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): ENGL 1010 and ENGL 2010 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C- Prerequisite Can Be Concurrent? Yes (ENGL 2010) Registration Restriction(s): English majors only

Required Texts

Bayles, David and Ted Orland. Art & Fear: Observations on the Perils (and rewards) of Artmaking.

ISBN: 978-0961454739

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  1. Intentionally develop a productive, sustainable, and regular creative writing practice
    1. Creative thinking is combining or synthesizing existing ideas, images, or expertise in original ways. It is also thinking, reacting, and working in an imaginative way characterized by a high degree of innovation, divergent thinking, and risk taking.
  2. Learn basic, transferrable craft that spans three genres: poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction.
  3. Analyze works for their use of craft, both your own as well as the works of others.
    1. Analysis is the systematic exploration of issues through the collection of analysis of evidence that result in informed conclusions and judgments; the breaking complex topics or issues into parts to gain a better understanding of them; and the arrangement and synthesis of evidence to reveal insightful patterns, differences, or similarities related to focus.

Course Requirements

Module Portfolios, (an average of 13% each, 60% total)


This bulk of the course is divided up into 5 modules worth, on average, 13% of your overall grade each. The goal of each module is to demonstrate your understanding of and proficiency with the craft tools of that module and those that came before it.

Notebook

The notebook portion of your module portfolios will be kept in a cumulative Google Doc, shared with me as an editor. All writing for the notebook must be completed within that document and you'll submit the same document to me every module, though it will be updated with new writing.

Finished Pieces: By the end of the semester, you have to have 4 poems (each with some kind of turn), 2 short stories (with a beginning, middle, and end), and 2 essays (with scene and meaning-making). I encourage you to write more, but this is the minimum. You'll chip away at these required pieces and, at the end of each module, update a little checklist on what you have completed. All pieces for the writer's notebook must be completed no later than the end of week 13.

Note that the grades for these notebook pieces are 100% based on completion. Your grade is not determined by the quality of your creative writing. I do this because creativity requires freedom from judgement--both yours and mine. What matters is that you approach any creative act with a sense of play and "what if?" So play. Do something that feels fun, that feels brave.

Writing Log: In order to help you develop a productive, sustainable, and regular writing process, you will submit, as part of the "notebook" portion of your module portfolio, a log of your writing. This log will include basic information like when, where, and for how long you wrote. It will also include the collection of "glimmers" you've compiled that week and a thoughtful reflection on what overall pieces you've completed how your writing process is working for you. You can include on your writing log any writing you deem fit. I suggest you limit it to just creative writing, but it's really up to you.

The writer's notebook is graded on completion. I want you to be honest with yourself and reflective about how much time you are spending writing.

Annotations and Exercises

At the end of each module you will also submit handwritten annotations for each assigned reading as well as a few exercises.

Annotations: You will print out each reading you are assigned and annotate it by hand. This is better for engagement, recall, and discussion. Annotating is not merely highlighting or underlining, nor is it notes on a separate piece of paper. Annotating is adding notes to the text. For the craft readings, focus on your comprehension of the text and connecting what you're reading to other readings and concepts in and out of our class as well as asking specific questions you may want to raise in class. Below are some things you can do as you're completing annotations for a craft reading.

For the creative readings focus on noticing the craft elements we've discussed so far with a special emphasis on the craft element we're currently focusing on. Reader-response readings, e.g. "I love this!" or "What?" are not good annotations for the creative readings. You're working to see the craft in the piece. Make sure I can see how you're seeing things.

If you want to complete your annotations some way other than printing them and annotating them by hand, come speak with me in the first two weeks of class, otherwise I will only accept handwritten annotations directly on a printed work.

Exercises: These are designed to jump-start your writing and give you practice applying to your own writing the concepts we've been discussing in class. These exercises are designed to help you get pieces for your notebook started.

Workshop, 10%


Toward the end of the semester, we will hold workshop.

Workshops are a chance for you to get some feedback on your work. It's not meant to be a showcase or a place to try to impress your peers or me. It's designed for you to show your work to your writing allies and to have them help you work out its kinks--and there will be some. It's space designed for you to figure out what you're trying to do and how to do it better.

Your grade in this category will be derived from your own workshop submissions as well as your quality feedback to your classmates and your reflection on the workshop process.

Final, 25%


At the end of the semester, you will complete a multi-part final wherein you will analyze works and complete and end-of-semester reflection.

If at any time you wish to discuss your grades, set an appointment with me or leave me a message on the relevant Canvas assignment. I cannot discuss grades via email.

Course Outline

Weeks 1-2: Writing process and the nature of creativity
Weeks 3-5: Genre overviews and universal craft elements
Weeks 6-7: Poetic craft
Weeks 8-9: Fiction craft
Week 10 is spring break
Weeks 11-12: CNF craft
Weeks 13-15: Workshop and final prep

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work


Each assignment has a due date. That date is the date at which I will begin grading. You have a natural, built-in grace period, though. If I haven’t finished grading the assignment yet, you can still turn your assignment in. Once I’ve entered a zero for your grade, that means I’m done grading that assignment, and the grace period has ended. It’s a bit of a gamble to turn something in late; get your work done ASAP. If you really need to, email me and ask me how far out I am on grading. I can give you a rough ballpark. Note that major assignments generally take longer to grade while minor assignments usually have a quicker turnaround. (Note that this late policy does not apply to the final, presentations, or other time-dependent assignments like workshop.)

If you see two hyphens in Canvas [--], that is not a zero. That means I haven't given you a grade yet and you're still allowed to submit something. 

Accepted late work will be given no feedback, only a grade, and may take longer to be returned.

If you have something exceptional going on, talk with me ASAP. I may be able to work with you, but I also have to be fair to all students, so there are some issues my hands are tied on.

Computer or user error is not a legitimate excuse for late work, so submit early and double-check that your submissions were uploaded correctly and that they are the correct submissions. This is especially true for an online class.

I do not offer extra credit. If you haven't done as well on an assignment as you'd like or as well as you need to in order to maintain the grade you need, get in touch with me as soon as possible so we can discuss how you can do better in the future. 

Attendance Policy


Regular attendance is required. In order to pass the class, your final attendance percentage will need to be at or above 70%. That's very lenient. If someone is missing 30% of class, they're likely to fail without this intervention.

Of course, occasional absences will happen. If you are ill (with anything) or suspect you may be, please stay home and rest. Contact a classmate for notes on what you missed.

If you are every having issues that are keeping you from regular attendance (hospitalization or prolonged, serious illness, etc.) let me know as soon as possible. We will see what we can work out. Note, though, that coming to me at the end of the semester to highlight an issue that began in the early weeks of the semester leaves us with little wiggle room. Even if all you can do is jot a quick email that tells me something is up and you can't even work with me on it yet is better than nothing.

For University-Excused Absences, be sure you're following policy 6.30.

Course Fees

$12

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.