Week 16 Agenda [Tentative]

Monday, December 10th

• EXTRA CREDIT DUE BY NOON IN MY MAILBOX IN ELABS 125

Friday, December 14th

• FINAL PORTFOLIO REVISIONS DUE BY MIDNIGHT

Week 15 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, December 4th

• Potluck & Workshop #4: Poetry
• Homework
• continue revising/preparing your FINAL PORTFOLIO

Wednesday, December 5th

• ENGL 4351 TEN-MINUTE PLAY FESTIVAL (7-10pm@UTRGV Studio Theater)

Thursday, December 6th

• MALINALLI: THE CONCERT WORKSHOP OF ACT 2 (8-10pm@UTRGV Student Union Theater)

REFLECTION #4: On Poetry

Post your reflection to the Poetry unit below. 

Here are the guidelines for your end-of-unit reflection:

1. In your Reflection, I want you to discuss the following:
• What did you learn in this unit? Be sure to provide specific examples and page numbers.
• What did you find interesting/uninteresting in this unit?
• What challenged you in this unit? What came easy?
• After experiencing this unit, what do you look forward to trying out in your short fiction assignment?
2. Reflections must be AT LEAST 200 words.
3. Include your full name at the end of your reflection. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
4. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
5. This Reflection is due by midnight on Thursday, 11/29, no exceptions.

Week 14 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, November 27th

• On Final Portfolio & Reflective Essay
• On Publishing, Creative Writing Certificate, & MFA Program
• Discussion Leader/s: Kimberly Cervantes & Naissa Acosta
• Poems by Alexie, Dee Cervantes, Equi, Harjo, Nurske, Shihab Nye, Parédez, Soto, Vando, and Villanueva
• Share Your Poems
• Homework
• Complete Reflection #4 on our course blog by midnight on Thursday, 11/29
• in your Google Drive shared folder, create a Google Doc and name the file like this: Poetry-YourFullName
• Compose a series of FREE VERSE POEMS 
• NO LESS than 2 poems, and DO NOT exceed 3 pages total
• Your poetry should:
• be single-spaced
• include a title for each poem
• illustrate an understanding of most of the following elements:
• Meter & Rhythm (Starkey, pgs. 31-38)
• The "Music" of Poetry (38-42)
• Imagery & Figurative Language (42-50)
• Diction & Syntax (50-54)
• print/bring three (3) copies of your poetry to class on Tuesday, 12/4 for Workshop #4

RR#10: Poems by Alexie, Dee Cervantes, Equi, Harjo, Nurske, Shihab Nye, Parédez, Soto, Vando, and Villanueva

Post your reading response to the required reading below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. This Reading Response is due by midnight on Monday, 11/26, no exceptions.

Week 13 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, November 20th

• Discussion Leader/s: Jose Contreras
• Starkey, pgs. 14-54
• Homework
• Pick three (3) prompts from the following website and compose three (3) poems: http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/poetic-asides/poetry-prompts
• your three poems should fit on no more than two pages
• each poem should include its own original title
• print/bring two (2) copies of your poems to class on Tuesday, 11/27
• read Poems by Alexie, Dee Cervantes, Equi, Harjo, Nurske, Shihab Nye, Parédez, Soto, Vando, and Villanueva (pgs. 71-95)
• post Reading Response #10 on our course blog by midnight on Monday, 11/26

RR#9: Starkey, pgs. 14-54

Post your reading response to the required reading below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. Reading responses are due Thursdays at midnight, no exceptions.

Week 12 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, November 13th

• Workshop #3: Drama
• Homework
• return to Google Drive and revise your scene draft
• REVISED scene due for instructor feedback by 10pm on Friday, 11/16
• read/bring the following to class on Tuesday, 11/20:
• Starkey, pgs. 14-54
• post Reading Response #9 on our course blog by midnight on Thursday, 11/15

REFLECTION #3: On Playwriting

Post your reflection to the Playwriting unit below. 

Here are the guidelines for your end-of-unit reflection:

1. In your Reflection, I want you to discuss the following:
• What did you learn in this unit? Be sure to provide specific examples and page numbers.
• What did you find interesting/uninteresting in this unit?
• What challenged you in this unit? What came easy?
• After experiencing this unit, what do you look forward to trying out in your short fiction assignment?
2. Reflections must be AT LEAST 200 words.
3. Include your full name at the end of your reflection. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
4. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
5. This Reflection is due by midnight on Thursday, 11/8, no exceptions.

Week 11 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, October 30th

• Discussion Leader/s: Victoria Gonzalez & Elizabeth Garza
• Proxima b
• Homework
• Complete Reflection #3 on our course blog by midnight on Thursday, 11/8
• return to GD, open your Drama file, and transform your dialogue into a dramatic scene. Your scene should:
• not exceed 7 pages.
• include:
• an ORIGINAL TITLE
• no more than three (3) CHARACTERS
• a clear CONFLICT
• at least one (1) OBJECT or SOUND
• a SETTING that intersects with your characters' plights and/or emotions
• the exploration of at least one (1) THEME (280-284)
• Use all previous readings and YouTube videos as reference
• print/bring three (3) copies of your scene to class on Tuesday for Workshop #3

RR#8: "Proxima b"

Post your reading response to the required reading below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. Reading responses are due Thursdays at midnight, no exceptions.

Week 10 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, October 30th

• Discussion Leader/s: Kendra Lara & Juan Guerra
• Now We’re Really Getting Somewhere
• Love on the B-Line
• Homework
• return to GD, open your Drama file, and rewrite your dialogue. Your new draft should:
• include one (1) OBJECT or SOUND that impacts your two characters directly
• not exceed 5 pages.
• print/bring two (2) copies of your rewrite to class on Tuesday
• read Proxima b [under READINGS]
• post Reading Response #8 on our course blog by midnight on Thursday, 11/1

RR#7: "Now We’re Really Getting Somewhere" and "Love on the B-Line"

Post your reading response to the required reading below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. Reading responses are due Thursdays at midnight, no exceptions.

Week 9 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, October 23rd

• Discussion Leader/s: Michael Lucio & Savannah Lopez
• Starkey, pgs. 233-284
• Trash Anthem (305-309)
• Homework
• in your Google Drive shared folder, create a Google Doc and name the file like this: Drama-YourFullName
• Following the STAGE PLAY SCRIPT FORMAT, compose a 3-page DIALOGUE where Character A desires the talent of Character B
• use all previous readings & your notes as reference
• print/bring two (2) copies of your dialogue to class on Tuesday
• read the following:
• Now We’re Really Getting Somewhere (310-316)
• Love on the B-Line (316-322)
• post Reading Response #7 on our course blog by midnight on Thursday, 10/25

RR#6: Starkey, pgs. 233-284 & "Trash Anthem"

Post your reading response to the required reading below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. Reading responses are due Thursdays at midnight, no exceptions.

Week 8 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, October 16th

• Workshop #2: Short Fiction
• Homework
• return to Google Drive and revise your essay draft
• REVISED short story due for instructor feedback by 10pm on Friday, 10/19
• read/bring the following to class on Tuesday, 10/23:
• Starkey, pgs. 233-284
• Trash Anthem (305-309)
• post Reading Response #6 on our course blog by midnight on Thursday, 10/18

REFLECTION #2: On Short Fiction

Post your reflection to the Short Fiction unit below. 

Here are the guidelines for your end-of-unit reflection:

1. In your Reflection, I want you to discuss the following:
• What did you learn in this unit? Be sure to provide specific examples and page numbers.
• What did you find interesting/uninteresting in this unit?
• What challenged you in this unit? What came easy?
• After experiencing this unit, what do you look forward to trying out in your short fiction assignment?
2. Reflections must be AT LEAST 200 words.
3. Include your full name at the end of your reflection. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
4. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
5. This Reflection is due by midnight on Thursday, 10/11, no exceptions.

Week 7 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, October 9th

• Discussion Leader/s: Sandra Martinez & Adrian Martinez
• Excerpts from Scores
• Share Writing Assignment
• Homework
• Complete Reflection #2 on our course blog by midnight on Thursday, 10/11
• Compose Writing Assignment #2 in your Google Drive shared folder:
• in GD, create/name a file like this: Fiction-YourFullName
• compose a short-short story (600-800 words; no more than 3 double-spaced pages total) that involves the characters you created during Week 5
• provide a TITLE for your short story
• Be sure to format your paper correctly by following MLA guidelines; click HERE for a sample paper
• print/bring three (3) copies of your short story draft to class on Tuesday, 10/16 for Workshop #2

RR#5: Excerpts from "Scores"

Post your reading response to the required reading below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. Reading responses are due Thursdays at midnight, no exceptions.

Week 6 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, October 2nd

• Discussion Leader/s: Kristopher Price & Fatimata Traore
• “A Kind of Flying;” “Popular Mechanics;” “Reunion;" “Doves;” “Symphony;” and “Girl”
• Share Writing Assignment
• Homework
• re-write your short short story. Your new draft should:
• not exceed 300 words
• include an additional character; use the CHARACTER SHEET, if desired
• include the new complication received in class
• print/bring two (2) copies of your rewrite to class on Tuesday for class activity
• read the following:
• Excerpts from Scores [under READINGS]
• post Reading Response #5 on our course blog by midnight on Thursday, 10/4

RR#4: “A Kind of Flying;” “Popular Mechanics;” “Reunion;" “Doves;” “Symphony;” and “Girl”

Post your reading response to the required reading below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. Reading responses are due Thursdays at midnight, no exceptions.

Week 5 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, September 25th

• Discussion Leader/s: Valerie Valentin
• Starkey, pgs. 98-141
• “An Angel,” “Loser,” and “The Hit Man” (145-152)
• Writing Activity: Creating (and Complicating) Characters
• Homework
• using the CHARACTER SHEET, continue creating your character
• compose a 100-word fictional narrative that: 1) includes the character you created and 2) the complication received in class
• print/bring two (2) copies of your narrative to class on Tuesday, 10/2 for class activity
• read the following:
• “A Kind of Flying;” “Popular Mechanics;” “Reunion;" “Doves;” “Symphony;” and “Girl” (152-164)
• post Reading Response #4 on our course blog by midnight on Thursday, 9/27

RR#3: Starkey, pgs. 98-141; “An Angel,” “Loser,” and “The Hit Man"

Post your reading response to the required reading below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. Reading responses are due Thursdays at midnight, no exceptions.

Week 4 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, September 18th

• Workshop #1: Short Creative Nonfiction
• Homework
• return to Google Drive and revise your essay draft
• REVISED essay due for instructor feedback by 10pm on Friday, 9/21
• read/bring Starkey, pgs. 98-141 and “An Angel,” “Loser,” and “The Hit Man” (145-152) to class on 9/25
• post Reading Response #3 on our course blog by midnight on Thursday, 9/20

Thursday, September 20th

• READING RESPONSE #3 DUE BY MIDNIGHT

REFLECTION #1: On Creative Nonfiction

Post your reflection to the Creative Nonfiction unit below. 

Here are the guidelines for your end-of-unit reflection:

1. In your Reflection, I want you to discuss the following:
• What did you learn in this unit? Be sure to provide specific examples and page numbers.
• What did you find interesting/uninteresting in this unit?
• What challenged you in this unit? What came easy?
• After experiencing this unit, what do you look forward to trying out in your creative nonfiction assignment?
2. Reflections must be AT LEAST 200 words.
3. Include your full name at the end of your reflection. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
4. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
5. This Reflection is due by midnight on Thursday, 9/13, no exceptions.

Week 3 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, September 11th

• Share Writing Assignments
• Discussion Leaders: Kedrick Wyatt & Raquel Williams
• “In Bed;” “In the Dark;” “El Toro Rojo;” “The Witching Hour;” “Late July, 4:40 a.m.,” and “Dreads” (220-232)
• Writing Activity
• Homework
• Complete Reflection #1 on our course blog by midnight on Thursday, 9/13
• Compose Writing Assignment #1 in your Google Drive shared folder:
• in your GD shared folder, create/name a file like this: Nonfiction-YourFullName
• compose a personal narrative (600-800 words; no more than 3 double-spaced pages total) that details an important/formative moment in your life.
• provide a TITLE for your narrative
• Be sure to format your paper correctly by following MLA guidelines; click HERE for a sample paper
• print/bring three (3) copies of your short nonfiction narrative to class on Tuesday, 9/18 for Workshop #1

Thursday, September 13th

• REFLECTION #1 DUE BY MIDNIGHT

RR#2: “In Bed;” “In the Dark;” “El Toro Rojo;” “The Witching Hour;” “Late July, 4:40 a.m.,” and “Dreads”

Post your reading response to the required reading below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. Reading responses are due Thursdays at midnight, no exceptions.

Week 2 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, September 4th

• Dr. Moreira
• Starkey, pgs. 170-209
• “The Mute Sense,” “My Papa’s Waltz,” and “Westbury Court” (214-220)
• Writing Activity
• Homework
• read the following:
• “In Bed;” “In the Dark;” “El Toro Rojo;” “The Witching Hour;” “Late July, 4:40 a.m.,” and “Dreads” (220-232)
• post Reading Response #2 on our course blog by midnight on Thursday, 9/6
• bring a photograph that includes you and a family member/s to class on Tuesday, 9/11

Thursday, September 6th

• READING RESPONSE #2 DUE BY MIDNIGHT

RR#1: Starkey, pgs. 170-209; "The Mute Sense;" "My Papa's Waltz;" and "Westbury Court"

Post your reading response to the required reading below. 

Here are the guidelines:

1. Reading responses must be AT LEAST 200 words.
2. Include your full name at the end of your comments. Unnamed comments will be deleted.
3. From the "Comment As" drop-down menu, choose Anonymous, then click "Publish."
4. Reading responses are due Thursdays at midnight, no exceptions.

Week 1 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, August 28th

• Course Blog, Syllabus, & Introductions
• Homework
• purchase/rent required textbook & materials
• look over course syllabus; bring any questions to class on Tuesday, 9/4
• read Starkey, pgs. 170-209
• post RR #1 on our course blog by midnight on Thursday, 8/30

Thursday, August 30th

• If desired, GOOGLE DRIVE SETUP IN ELABS 140 (PC LAB)
• READING RESPONSE #1 DUE BY MIDNIGHT
• Homework
• print/bring Starkey, pgs, 170-209 to class on Tuesday, 9/4, for discussion
• bring a photograph of yourself to class on Tuesday

Welcome to ENGL 3351!

The purpose of this blog is to provide an online space where all of our class materials will be available. 

On the blog itself, I will post:

• Weekly agendas
• Reading Responses and other Homework

On the right side of our blog you will find:

• My contact information
• Our course syllabus
• Google Drive instructions
• Discussion Leader Schedule
• Discussion Leader & Workshop Forms
• Blog Archive

At the top of our blog, you will find:

• the 'Readings & Supplementals' section
• Includes select course readings, supplementals, and handouts
• the 'Your Final Portfolio & Reflective Essay' section
• Includes instructions for putting together your final portfolio

Essentially, if you need information about this course, you need only visit this blog and it's likely you'll find your answers. So, browse around and get to know the blog well. 

I'm looking forward to a fun and meaningful semester!