English 276: Writing About the Arts

Course Description:

In this class you will develop your abilities to respond to the arts in writing. You have opinions about the arts already as filmgoers, TV watchers, music listeners and consumers of culture—and those opinions are valid and will become an important voice in your work. In this class we will work to refine our understanding of our own responses to the arts and learn to demonstrate those responses in various forms. Throughout the term, we will have workshop days during which each student will bring multiple copies of draft work to be critiqued in small group discussions. The most successful students will leave this course with a strong understanding of themselves and why they respond to creative work in the ways that they do.

In one semester we cannot master the grammar and vocabulary of all art forms, but we will enter the discussion of film with a stronger focus. Of all contemporary art forms, film is perhaps the most complex in terms of its construction and production, and it is among the most popular of cultural art forms. As a class we will build a basic vocabulary and understanding to discuss and write about film as informed critics rather than exclusively as casual or solipsistic respondents.

We will explore the effects of various forms and writing methods as you each develop your individual writing voice. You must be willing to experiment, to open your mind, and to have fun as we explore our imaginations and the various ways to represent ideas in journalism, critical and creative writing.

Required Texts and Materials:

• Marlowe, Christopher. Dr. Faustus.
• Phillips, William H. Film: An Introduction.
• Course readings (provided).
• Grammar book and dictionary.
• Internet Access:
  Click here for course web resources
• Each writer will incur regular copying expenses for workshops.
• Stapler: all multiple-page assignments must be stapled.

Course Assignments:

No late work is accepted and assignments may not be turned in by email.

1. Film:

• Read assigned sections of Film: An Introduction by William H. Phillips
• Film review essay (3-4 pages, 900-1200 words)
• Three film briefs (1 page, 250-300 words each)
• Six film micro-briefs, thumbnail descriptions (50-75 words each)

2. Visual Art:

• Museum gallery review (2-3 pages)
• Poem about work of art (14 lines minimum-one page maximum)
• Fiction or autobiographical creative non-fiction about work of art or gallery (1-2 pages)

3. Theatre:

• Reading Christopher Marlow’s Faust
• 2-3 Page response to WSC production of Faust (review, poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, essay)

4. Music:

• CD or concert review (1 page)

5. Poetry:

• 1 Page ars poetica or poem about a poet or a poem

6. TV or Food

• 1 Page response in any form (review, creative non-fiction, inspired poem or fiction)

7. Final Project (choose one):

• Fan Site: Design a 6-screen web site using PowerPoint to celebrate your personal interest in a band, film, tv show, artist, or other form of art. (If you are an artist or writer of any kind, you can alternately create a web site for your art.)
• Artist’s Statement: Write a 4-page statement regarding your artistic purpose for a specific audience. Include a grant proposal form or program application (for example, to apply for an MFA program) that describes the requirements for the project description.
• Manifesto: Write your own 4-page manifesto (be as creative as the message demands) for creating art, however you define it. Include a sample of your art (cd, video, poems, fiction, painting. . .)—collaboration is a possibility.
• Review Essay, 5-pages (not counting cover sheet and works cited) about one work or one artist’s work—must take an original critical or theoretical position.
• Creative Non-Fiction, 5-6 page response to arts in the context of some creative approach to analysis or prose.
• Review: 7 pages of review—many combinations possible, including art forms not yet considered (architecture, fashion, novel, performance, photography, dance. . .); a series of short reviews of zombie films; a retrospective review of a career, etc.
• The final project will be proposed in writing and approved by Dr. Filas before it is written.

8. Final Portfolio: A comprehensive folder will be presented with a brief closing statement about your identity as an arts writer and audience. The other main component is 15-20 pages of revised work, plus all work done during the semester. This will include a disk with the revised pages and your closing statement.

9. Quizzes: brief checks and reinforcements of concepts from assigned readings.

Participation:

Arrive to class on time and be prepared with all required homework assignments, reading completed, workshop copies, and course materials. Grade is based on active and attentive contribution to class discussions of workshop materials, assigned reading, and other in-class discussions. You will not pass this class if you miss more than three classes. Students seeking an above-average grade are encouraged to attend all classes.

Grading:

	40%		Assignments 1-6 above, from which assignments may be added or subtracted as the term progresses. In loose approximation, this works out to two course points possible per page of writing on basic assignments.
			Participation
	20%
			Final Portfolio
	20%
			Final Project
	15%
			Quizzes
	5%