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 #7: 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

• UTRGV STUDY DAY [NO CLASS]
• Homework
• continue revising/preparing your FINAL PORTFOLIO
• MALINALLI: THE CONCERT WORKSHOP OF ACT 2 (8-10pm@UTRGV Student Union Theater)

RR#19: Poems by 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. Reading responses are due Mondays and Wednesdays by midnight, no exceptions.

Week 14 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, November 27th

• On Final Portfolio & Reflective Essay
• On Publishing, Creative Writing Certificate, & MFA Program
• Discussion Leader/s: Katia Garcia
• Poems by Shihab Nye, Parédez, Soto, Vando, and Villanueva (pgs. 85-95)
• Share Your Poems
• Homework
• Pick two (2) new prompts from the following website and compose two (2) poems: http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/poetic-asides/poetry-prompts
• your two poems should fit on one page
• each poem should include its own original title
• print/bring two (2) copies of your poems for in-class activity on Thursday
• read Poems by Alexie, Dee Cervantes, Equi, Harjo, & Nurske (pgs. 71-84)
• post Reading Response #19 on our course blog by midnight on Wednesday, 11/28

Thursday, November 29th

• Discussion Leader/s: Teresa Villarreal
• Poems by Shihab Nye, Parédez, Soto, Vando, and Villanueva (pgs. 85-95)
• Share Your Poems
• Homework
• 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 #7

RR#18: Poems by Alexie, Dee Cervantes, Equi, Harjo, & Nurske

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 Monday, 11/26 by midnight, no exceptions.

Week 13 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, November 20th

• Discussion Leader/s: Gary Tolar
• Starkey, pgs. 14-54
• Homework
• Pick two (2) prompts from the following website and compose two (2) poems: http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/poetic-asides/poetry-prompts
• your two poems should fit on one page
• 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 (pgs. 71-84)
• post Reading Response #18 on our course blog by midnight on Monday, 11/26

Thursday, November 22nd

• THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY [NO CLASS]
• Homework
• Have a great Thanksgiving!

RR#17: 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 Mondays and Wednesdays by midnight, no exceptions.

Week 12 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, November 13th

• Workshop #5: Drama
• Homework
• return to Google Drive and revise your scene draft
• print/bring three (3) copies of your REVISED scene draft to class on Thursday for Workshop #6

Thursday, November 15th

• Workshop #6: Drama
• Homework
• return to Google Drive and revise your short story draft
• REVISED scene due for instructor feedback by 10pm on Friday, 11/16
• read/bring Starkey, pgs. 14-54
• post Reading Response #17 on our course blog by midnight on Monday, 11/18

RR#16: "Bone China"

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 Mondays and Wednesdays by midnight, no exceptions.

Week 11 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, November 6th

• Discussion Leader/s: Stephanie Ruiz
• Proxima b
• Homework
• return to GD, open your Drama file, and rewrite your dialogue. Your new draft should:
• explore one (1) THEME of your choice (ex. love, sexuality, death, politics, family, gender roles, race, technology, etc.); use Starkey, pgs. 280-284 as reference
• not exceed 6 pages.
• print/bring two (2) copies of your rewrite to class on Thursday
• read Bone China (322-328)
• post Reading Response #16 on our course blog by midnight on Wednesday, 11/7

Thursday, November 8th

• Discussion Leader/s: Kimberlee Salas
• Bone China
• Homework
• 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 #5

RR#15: "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 Mondays and Wednesdays by midnight, no exceptions.

RR#14: "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 Mondays and Wednesdays by midnight, no exceptions.

Week 10 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, October 30th

• Discussion Leader/s: Francisco Rosales
• Now We’re Really Getting Somewhere
• 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 4 pages.
• print/bring two (2) copies of your rewrite to class on Thursday
• read Love on the B-Line (316-322)
• Watch Love on the B-Line on YouTube
• post Reading Response #14 on our course blog by midnight on Wednesday, 10/31

Thursday, November 1st

• Discussion Leader/s: Andi Rubalcava
• Love on the B-Line
• Homework
• return to GD, open your Drama file, and rewrite your dialogue. Your new draft should:
• include the SETTING complication received in class
• not exceed 5 pages.
• print/bring two (2) copies of your rewrite to class on Thursday
• read Proxima b [under READINGS]
• post Reading Response #15 on our course blog by midnight on Monday, 11/5

RR#13: "Now We’re Really Getting Somewhere"

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 Mondays and Wednesdays by midnight, no exceptions.

RR#12: "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 Mondays and Wednesdays by midnight, no exceptions.

Week 9 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, October 23rd

• Discussion Leaders: Faith Ortiz
• Starkey, pgs. 233-284
• Homework
• Study the STAGE PLAY SCRIPT FORMAT and be prepared to discuss this on Thursday
• read Trash Anthem (305-309)
• post Reading Response #12 on our course blog by midnight on Wednesday, 10/24

Thursday, October 25th

• Discussion Leaders: Natalie Roeglin
• Trash Anthem
• Homework
• in your Google Drive shared folder, create a Google Doc and name the file like this: Drama-YourFullName
• using the STAGE PLAY SCRIPT FORMAT, compose a 3-page DIALOGUE where Character B desires the same talent as Character A
• print/bring two (2) copies of your dialogue to class on Tuesday
• read Now We’re Really Getting Somewhere (310-316)
• post Reading Response #13 on our course blog by midnight on Monday, 10/29

RR#11: Starkey, pgs. 233-284

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 Mondays and Wednesdays by midnight, no exceptions.

Week 8 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, October 16th

• Workshop #3: Short Fiction
• Homework
• return to Google Drive and revise your short story draft
• print/bring three (3) copies of your REVISED short story draft to class on Thursday for Workshop #4

Thursday, October 18th

• Workshop #4: Short Fiction
• Homework
• return to Google Drive and revise your short story draft
• REVISED short story due for instructor feedback by 10pm on Friday, 10/19
• read/bring Starkey, pgs. 233-284
• post Reading Response #11 on our course blog by midnight on Monday, 10/22

RR#10: 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 Mondays and Wednesdays by midnight, no exceptions.

Week 7 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, October 9th

• Discussion Leaders: Ricky Garcia
• “Wolf’s Head Lake” and “Recuerdo” (164-169)
• Share Writing Assignment
• Homework
• re-write your short short story. Your new draft should:
• not exceed 500 words
• include the new complication received in class
• print/bring two (2) copies of your rewrite to class on Thursday for class activity
• read Excerpts from Scores [under Readings]
• post Reading Response #10 on our course blog by midnight on Wednesday, 10/10

Thursday, October 11th

• Discussion Leaders: Alyssa Campos
• Excerpts from Scores
• Share Writing Assignment
• Homework
• 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 #3

RR#9: “Wolf’s Head Lake” and “Recuerdo” (164-169)

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 Mondays and Wednesdays by midnight, no exceptions.

RR#8: “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 Mondays and Wednesdays by midnight, no exceptions.

Week 6 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, October 2nd

• Discussion Leaders: Ilene Guevara
• “A Kind of Flying,” “Popular Mechanics,” and “Reunion” (152-158)
• Share Writing Assignment
• Homework
• re-write your short short story. Your new draft should:
• not exceed 300 words
• include the new complication received in class
• print/bring two (2) copies of your rewrite to class on Thursday for class activity
• read “Doves,” “Symphony,” and “Girl” (158-164)
• post Reading Response #8 on our course blog by midnight on Wednesday, 10/3

Thursday, October 4th

• Discussion Leaders: Valerie Jackson
• “Doves,” “Symphony,” and “Girl” (158-164)
• Share Writing Assignment
• Homework
• re-write your short short story. Your new draft should:
• not exceed 400 words
• include the new complication received in class
• print/bring two (2) copies of your rewrite to class on Tuesday for class activity
• read “Wolf’s Head Lake” and “Recuerdo” (164-169)
• post Reading Response #9 on our course blog by midnight on Monday, 10/8

RR#7: “A Kind of Flying,” “Popular Mechanics,” and “Reunion”

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 Mondays and Wednesdays by midnight, no exceptions.

RR#6: “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 Mondays and Wednesdays by midnight, no exceptions.

Week 5 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, September 25th

• Discussion Leaders: Sidney Carranco & Ricardo Garcia
• Starkey, pgs. 98-141
• Writing Activity
• 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 Thursday for class activity
• read “An Angel,” “Loser,” and “The Hit Man” (145-152)
• post Reading Response #6 on our course blog by midnight on Wednesday, 9/26

Thursday, September 27th

• Share Writing Assignment
• Discussion Leaders: Krystdamayne Guerrero
• “An Angel,” “Loser,” and “The Hit Man” (145-152)
• Homework
• re-write your short short story. Your new draft should:
• not exceed 200 words
• include the new complication received in class
• include an additional character; use the CHARACTER SHEET, if desired
• print/bring two (2) copies of your rewrite to class on Tuesday for class activity
• read “A Kind of Flying,” “Popular Mechanics,” and “Reunion” (152-158)
• post Reading Response #7 on our course blog by midnight on Monday, 10/1

RR#5: Starkey, pgs. 98-141

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 Mondays and Wednesdays by 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
• print/bring three (3) copies of your REVISED essay draft to class on Thursday for Workshop #2

Thursday, September 20th

• Workshop #2: 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
• post Reading Response #5 on our course blog by midnight on Monday, 9/24

RR#4: “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 Mondays and Wednesdays by midnight, no exceptions.

Week 3 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, September 11th

• Share Writing Assignment
• Discussion Leaders: Lianna Andrade & Caesar de Luna:
• “In Bed,” “In the Dark,” and “El Toro Rojo”
• Writing Activity
• Homework
• read “The Witching Hour,” “Late July, 4:40 a.m.,” and “Dreads” (227-232)
• post Reading Response #4 on our course blog by midnight on Wednesday, 9/12

Thursday, September 13th

• Share Writing Assignment
• Discussion Leaders: Jose Montoya & Katia Garcia:
• “The Witching Hour,” “Late July, 4:40 a.m.,” and “Dreads” (227-232)
• Homework
• 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

RR#3: “In Bed,” “In the Dark,” and “El Toro Rojo”

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 Mondays and Wednesdays by midnight, no exceptions.

RR#2: “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 Mondays and Wednesdays by midnight, no exceptions.

Week 2 Agenda [Tentative]

Tuesday, September 4th

• Dr. Moreira:
• Starkey, pgs 170-209
• Writing Activity
• Homework
• read “The Mute Sense,” “My Papa’s Waltz,” and “Westbury Court” (214-220)
• post Reading Response #2 on our course blog by midnight on Wednesday, 9/5
• bring a photograph that includes you and a family member/s to class on Thursday

Thursday, September 6th

• Share Writing Assignment
• Dr. Moreira:
• “The Mute Sense,” “My Papa’s Waltz,” and “Westbury Court” (214-220)
• Writing Activity
• Homework
• read “In Bed,” “In the Dark,” and “El Toro Rojo” (220-226)
• post Reading Response #3 on our course blog by midnight on Monday, 9/10
• bring a photograph of your family that DOES NOT include you to class on Tuesday

RR#1: Starkey, pgs. 170-209

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 Mondays and Wednesdays by 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

Thursday, August 30th

• NO CLASS
• if desired, GOOGLE DRIVE SETUP IN ELABS 140 (PC LAB)
• Homework
• read Starkey, pgs. 170-209
• post Reading Response #1 on our course blog by midnight on Monday, 9/3
• 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!