Course Syllabus

Fall 2025 | ENG-2101-VO01 - Creative Writing

Online Class

Online courses take place 100% online via Canvas, without required in-person or Zoom meetings.

Faculty

Ruth Farmer
View Faculty Credentials
View Faculty Statement
Hiring Coordinator for this course: Heath Fuller

General Education Requirements

VSCS Arts & Aesthetics

Note

Many degree programs have specific general education recommendations. In order to avoid taking unnecessary classes, please consult with additional resources like your program evaluation, your academic program catalog year page, and your academic advisor.

Courses may only be used to meet one General Education Requirement.

Course Description

This course is an exploration of creative writing as a means of self-expression. Students learn the process of creative writing: topic selection and form, planning, developing imagination, and revising drafts. This course focuses on characteristics of good writing and the discipline, practice, and self-awareness required. Prerequisite: English Composition.

Essential Objectives

1. Demonstrate a command of English grammar and usage suitable for intended audience and purpose.
2. Through reading work of established writers, identify and practice such craft elements as sound, imagery, diction, tone, and syntax; discuss choices a writer makes in regard to these elements.
3. Develop a process for drafting and revising toward a final product.
4. Practice creative work in a variety of forms.
5. Apply critical thinking and reading skills to discuss the work of other class members as well as the work of established writers from diverse cultures.
6. Explore how works of creative writing contribute to social change individually or collectively.
7. Submit a final portfolio of selected work which demonstrates a commitment to practice and revision.

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV computer recommendations Support page.

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

*** This is a no cost textbook or resource class. ***

This course only uses free Open Educational Resources (OER) and/or library materials. For details, see the Canvas Site for this class.

Artificial Intelligence(AI) Policy Statement

CCV recognizes that artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI tools are widely available and becoming embedded in many online writing and creative applications.

Prohibited: The use of generative AI is not allowed in this course, with the exception of spellcheck, grammar check and similar tools. This course rests in the value of students engaging in the learning process without relying on AI-generated content. Students will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills independently, owning their learning journey from start to finish. If you use these tools, your actions would be considered academically dishonest and a violation of CCV's Academic Integrity Policy.

Syllabus, methods, assignments, and structure are subject to change.

Methods

• Small group and whole-class discussion forums and activities
• Weekly reading and writing assignments
• Revisions
• Peer reviews
• Lectures
• Audiovisual texts, including films, artwork, photos, and podcasts
• Portfolio of revised pieces

Evaluation Criteria

40% - Portfolio: The portfolio consists of revised fiction and creative nonfiction with post-writes as well as a reflective essay.

30% - Short stories, essays, and other assignments: Assignments include those that lead to completion of the portfolio.

30% - Discussion forums, attendance and participation: Regular attendance and participation are essential components of a student's success in college and are completion requirements for courses at CCV.Participation in online discussions is mandatory. Late, missing, and incomplete postings will negatively impact your final grade

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Weekly Schedule

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Participation Expectations

As this is an online course, you receive credit for attendance by entering the course site and doing classwork.

Participation in discussion forums is mandatory. Discussion forum assignments count toward your participation and attendance grade. Incomplete and late posts will negatively impact your grade.

The regular posting schedule is as follows:

1. Post a response to forum assignment(s) by Friday evening. Assignments will vary. You might be asked to reflect on a reading or video, or to post your fiction or nonfiction.

2. Respond to the post of at least three classmates by Sunday evening.

Responses to class members should be substantive. “I agree” or other minimalist phrases do not constitute sufficient engagement in the discussion.

Occasionally, you might be asked to respond to fewer posts. Or you might be placed in small groups; in which case, you would be expected to respond to the writing of everyone in that group.

If you are someone who would like to earn an “A” in discussion assignments, you must respond to more than the above-stated minimum number of posts.

Missing & Late Work Policy

Attendance, Making Up Work, and Related Information

Attendance Policy: It’s understandable that computer glitches, illnesses, family crises, and other unexpected events may cause absences or late postings. However, three absences (explained or unexplained) will result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.

• Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.

• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Late Work Policy: An assignment is considered late if not submitted or presented by the due date. Points will be deducted from late postings and late papers.

Assignments not submitted within one week of the due date will not be accepted. No assignments will be accepted after the last day of the semester; this includes portfolio components.

Making Up Work: If you cannot attend class due to an emergency, email me. Contact me before submitting make-up assignments. You may make up a maximum of two discussion forums. You may make up one story or essay. Make-up work will receive a late penalty.

You must contact me within a week of the missed assignment. As an example, do not ask in Week 8 to make up work that was due during Weeks 1-6.

You will not receive credit for submitting make-up work if we have not had an email exchange or video or phone conversation first.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity

Apply Now for this semester.