Jackie Bartley - Teaching History and Sample Syllabi

IDS 100: First Year Seminar

These seminars, taught on a variety of subjects and
open to first-year students only, focus on ways of knowing, seeing, and evaluating as
applied to differing specific topics. Students become actively engaged in these
seminars as they read primary texts closely, discuss and write about the issues these
texts address, and enhance their skills of self-assessment and reflection. Teachers of
these seminars serve as advisors to the students in their classes.
IDS 101: Encounter with the Arts

This course introduces students to the visual and
performing arts through required attendance at a broad range of exhibitions and
evening/weekend performances. Students are prepared for these events through class
lectures, conversations with visiting artists, and demonstrations of creative techniques.
Students’ appreciation of the arts and awareness in experiencing them are expanded
and evaluated through group discussion and reflective writing assignments.
English 113: Expository Writing 1

English 155: Introduction to Creative Writing: Poems
English 213: Expository Writing II

We’ll read a collection of essays to see how writers assemble and condense the details of observation and follow their examples to generate our own ideas. We’ll also devote time to writing exercises and experiences that can help generate ideas and lead to further writing. And, finally, we’ll work on revising your prose, applying what one writer calls the “paramedic method” to your writing. To accomplish all this we’ll spend class periods writing, workshopping, discussing the texts, and/or reviewing writing mechanics. You’ll also keep a journal based on a format described in the first class and use it for the raw material of the essays your compose. Two credit hours.
English 255: Creative Writing: Poems

This course is designed for those who would like to explore poetry writing. You need no prior experience with composing poems to feel at home in this class. As an introduction to the composition of poetry, each week you will work with a different element and approach to creating a work-in-progress. You should be willing to have a good time working on process, on each of the approaches to composing a poem, and on the elements of poetry: structure, rhythm, image, sound, line, etc.; to offer helpful responses to the work of fellow poets; to enjoy exploring a range of possibilities in the often maddening, meaningful, and enjoyable experience of poetry. Four credit hours.
English 258: Creative Writing: Nonfiction

This class is designed to help you be a more discerning reader and writer of non-fiction. The readings will include the work of some of the finest contemporary writers in the genre. We’ll study their methods and work to develop your style through class discussions and workshops focusing on how form and function complement one another in the essay. You’ll write profusely and revise your best efforts to include in a final portfolio of your work. Four credit hours.
English 279: Writing for Teachers
English 313: Expository Writing III
English 355: Creative Writing: Poems

In this intermediate class, you'll write, read and critique poetry. We'll give special attention to revision techniques, developing voice and honing workshop skills. And we'll do all we can to nurture your writing and cultivate your appreciation and respect for poetry. Four credit hours.
English 358: Intermediate Creative Writing: Nonfiction

This class is designed to help you be a more discerning reader and writer of non-fiction. The readings will include essays by some of the finest writers in the genre and at least one full-length book by a contemporary non-fiction writer. We’ll study their methods and work to develop your style through class discussions, brief student presentations and workshops focusing on how form and function complement one another in the essay. You’ll write profusely and revise your best efforts to include in a final portfolio which will include at least one well-researched essay. Four credit hours.

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