Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Summer Semester 2026

Fiction Writing and Literature (Online)

ENGL 6012-70I

Course: ENGL 6012-70I
Credits: 3
Term: Summer Semester 2026
Department: ENGL
CRN: 21085

Course Description

3 Credit(s)

This fiction course focuses on the development of the writer through reading, writing, and study of the forms, craft, aesthetics, and techniques of contemporary short fiction.The final project will be a portfolio of one revised short story and an essay of literary analysis.

Prerequisite(s): ENGL 6010 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C-
Registration Restriction(s): None

Required Texts

  • The Penguin Book of the Modern American Short Story
  • Craft book of your choice from this list

Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Apply the elements of writing and craft through regular practice.

  2. Develop the habits of a writer by writing, reading, and discussing a variety of fiction styles.

  3. Explore inclusive writing by reading from a variety of perspectives and backgrounds

  4. Use critical thinking and close reading to participate in class discussions and workshop critiques. 

  5. Create a safe community where writers can develop and improve the craft of fiction writing

     

Course Requirements

Course Assessment Table

Course AssessmentsCourse Outcomes
Discussions1-5
Writing Assignments1-5
Artist Dates2,5

Assignment Outline

You will have 1-2 discussions per week, using different delivery modalities. Thoughtful responses and sincere engagement with other students are expected.

  • Canvas discussion boards will be used for introductions and regular peer workshops
  • Flipgrid video discussions will be used to engage with each other regarding reading assignments

You will submit regular writing exercises, of the following two types:

  • Craft-building: short writing assignments designed to increase your mastery of specific craft elements
  • Artist dates: open-ended reflections designed to spur your creativity and enhance your writing practice 

You will respond to the weekly reading assignments with an emphasis either on craft or collaboration:

  • Craft: three-part reflections that ask you to identify specific craft elements and writing takeaways
  • Collaborative: class annotations that ask you to respond to a specific reading using Hypothes.is 

As this is a fiction class, you will be writing and submitting original works of short fiction throughout the term. First, you’ll submit four short stories at regular intervals, and then you’ll revise and curate your writing for a final portfolio; this portfolio will be at least 25 pages long, and will include a final process reflection along with some combination of 1) revised versions of previously submitted fiction, 2) new pieces generated from writing exercise prompts, and/or 3) stories written outside the course on your own. The portfolio should be polished, revised, and professional.

Grade Scheme

The following grading standards will be used in this class:

GradeRange
A100 % to 94.0%
A-< 94.0 % to 90.0%
B+< 90.0 % to 87.0%
B< 87.0 % to 84.0%
B-< 84.0 % to 80.0%
C+< 80.0 % to 77.0%
C< 77.0 % to 74.0%
C-< 74.0 % to 70.0%
D+< 70.0 % to 67.0%
D< 67.0 % to 64.0%
D-< 64.0 % to 61.0%
F< 61.0 % to 0.0%

Course Outline

Course outline available on Canvas.

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

Instructor's Response Time & Feedback

Online classes provide unique challenges for interaction. For messages sent to me, I will respond in the specified amount of time. Feedback is an important part of learning please look for feedback on your assignments that I provided in the specified amount of time, to find feedback look at this tutorial 

How do I view assignment comments from my Instructor? (Links to an external site.)

How do I view annotation feedback comments from my instructor? (Links to an external site.)

It is my goal to:

  • Respond to student messages within 2 business days
  • Provide grades and feedback within 7 - 14 days from the due date

Learner Responsibilities

  • Late work loses 10% a day up to five days at 50%.
  • No late work will be accepted after five days unless arranged in advance. 
  • Time-sensitive assignments such as drafts or discussions may not be accepted late at all. 
  • Missed assignments cannot be made up, and there is no extra credit in this course

Attendance Policy

This is an online course. Your participation is your attendance.

Additional Resources and Canvas Information

Canvas Information

Canvas is where course content, grades, and communication will reside for this course.

SUU Campus Resources and Services

SUU has several resources and services available to support you during your time here at SUU, please review this list of SUU Campus Resources and Services (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. and the Student Handbook (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.. For more information on Canvas and other technologies, and their statements on Accessibility and Privacy statements please review our Vendor Resources  (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.page.

Financial Security Statement

Finances are an integral part of maintaining your wellbeing. If you are struggling financially or wish to know more about budgeting, please visit the Financial Wellness Center in room 201C in the Sharwan Smith Center, contact Ashleigh Zimmerman at (435) 865-8436, or text the Financial Wellness line at 435-708-1952.  

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.