Course Syllabus

Fall 2025 | ENG-2101-VT01 - Creative Writing

In Person Class

Standard courses meet in person at CCV centers, typically once each week for the duration of the semester.

Faculty

Jenny Dunning
View Faculty Credentials
View Faculty Statement
Hiring Coordinator for this course: Collin Lee

General Education Requirements

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

Methods

• reading-as-a-writer discussions
• weekly sketches (to be shared with class)
• journal entries--reflections on writing process
• workshop of developed draft (multiple genres)
• final portfolio of revised creative work
• reading of portfolio selection

Evaluation Criteria

20% Participation/Discussions/Workshops

30% Sketches & Writing Process Journal

20% Developing Drafts (workshop submission, sketch revision, portfolio draft[s])

30% Portfolio & Virtual Reading

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

Active, meaningful participation in class discussions and group assignments is a key component of this course. Careful reading of published texts and workshop submissions in preparation for discussions is expected. Students will receive a weekly participation assessment to encourage improvement.

Because emergencies and illness are facts of life, students will be excused from the participation grade from 1 class; any missed in-class assignments or make-up assignments will need to be submitted as soon as possible (within 48 hours, unless a different arrangement is made with the instructor). Alternatively, the lowest participation grade of the semester will be dropped.

Although we're meeting in-person, all assignments will be submitted through Canvas. If possible, students should bring laptops to each class meeting.

Missing & Late Work Policy

Submission of both workshop pieces and final portfolio are required to pass the course.

All late work will be marked down. Because late submission of work affects others in the course, late assignments will be marked down a full letter gradefor each day they are late. No work will be accepted more than 1 week late.

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.