SCHEDULE
(HOME)
ENGL 489-001: Advanced Nonfiction
Writing
Fall 2006 George Mason University Wednesdays,
4:30-7:10 Fine Arts Building B112
All of the information below is
subject to change.
WEEK 1 Wednesday, August 30
Introduction to class,
assignments, procedures,
rules, etc., etc.
WEEK 2 Wednesday, September 6
From The Best American Essays 2005:
Atwan, Foreward, p. ix
Orlean, Introduction, p. xv
Crenshaw, "Storm Country," p. 21
Doyle, "Joyas Voladoras," p. 28
DUE: Reading Response #1
WEEK 3 Wednesday,
September
13
From The Best American Nonrequired Reading 2005:
Eggers, Foreward, p. xi
Beck, Introduction, p. xxx
Gordinier, "The Lost Boys," p. 148
Krautkramer, "Roadkill," p. 164
Tel, "The Myth of the Frequent Flyer," p. 257
DUE: Reading Response #2
DUE: List of (American)
journals publishing personal essays + web site addresses
WEEK 4
Wednesday, September 20
From The Best American
Essays 2005:
Lethem, "Speak, Hoyt-Schermerhorn,"
p. 106
Schine, "Dog Trouble," p. 181
Sedaris, "Old Faithful," p. 195
Wallace, "Consider the Lobster,"
p. 252
DUE:
Reading Response #3
DUE:
Chunk (3 pages or so) of literary essay or
personal essay
WEEKS 5 and
6 FALL FOR THE
BOOK (www.fallforthebook.org)
(Pick one IN ADDITION TO the Francine Prose reading on Sept. 27)
Wednesday,
September 27
6:00 Francine Prose, Grand Tier, 3rd
floor, Center for the Arts REQUIRED
8:30 GMU Theater of the First Amendment, Harris Theater
Thursday,
September 28
7:00 Jeanette Walls. Harris Theater
Friday,
September 29
3:00 Doris Kearns Goodwin, Harris Theater
Sunday,
October 1
3:00 Panel discussion: "Are reviewers necessary?", Old Town Hall,
Fairfax
Tuesday,
October 3
9:00 Angela Davis, Johnson Center Cinema
4:30 Stacy Schiff, Grand Tier, 3rd floor, Center for the Arts
7:30 Will Blythe. Grand Tier, 3rd floor, Center for the Arts
7:30 Kirin Narayan, Johnson Center Cinema
Wednesday,
October 4
1:30 Peter Henriques and Martin Sherwin, Johnson Center Cinema
Thursday,
October 5
8:00 Dave Eggers, Concert Hall, Center for the Arts
WEEK 7
Wednesday, October 11
DUE:
Fall for the Book reports
DUE: Publication snapshots for
piece #1
IN CLASS: Discussion of query letters, etc.
WEEK 8
Wednesday, October 18
DUE:
Draft of literary essay or
personal essay
EDITORIAL WORKSHOP: Draft of
literary essay or
personal essay
WEEK 9 Wednesday, October 25
Conferences (no class)
DUE
by e-mail BEFORE MONDAY: editorial workshop follow-up
WEEK 10 Wednesday, November 1
DUE
by MONDAY: E-mailed questions (at least 3) for visiting writer
Huan Hsu
Read materials from Huan Hsu
In-class discussion with Huan Hsu
WEEK 11 Wednesday, November 8
DUE
by MONDAY: E-mailed questions (at least 3) for Wendi Kaufman
Read materials from Wendi Kaufman
In-class discussion with Wendi Kaufman
WEEK 12
Wednesday, November 15
Conferences (no class)
WEEK 13 Wednesday,
November 22 NO CLASS
WEEK 14 Wednesday,
November 29
DUE: Draft of
journalistic/informational piece
EDITORIAL WORKSHOP: Draft of journalistic/informational
piece
WEEK 15 Wednesday,
December 6
Last items, end-of-semester
arrangements, etc.
DUE by e-mail BEFORE CLASS:
editorial workshop follow-up
WEDNESDAY, December 13 4:30 p.m
DUE:
Portfolio of ALL work done for class, including drafts and final
versions of both longer pieces
IN CLASS: MAILING OF SUBMISSIONS