TCXG 482 Editing a Literary Arts Magazine
Winter 2008

Instructor: Dr. Philip Heldrich
Email: pheld@u.washington.edu
Phone: 253.692.4755
Office: CP 130
Office Hours: Tu/Th 9:15-10:15, or by appointment
Class Homepage: http://faculty.washington.edu/pheld/tcxg482/index.htm

Reading, Topic, & Assignment Schedule
(some articles may only be available to those enrolled in the class)

Links to Literary Magazines
Electronic Poetry Center (EPC) http://wings.buffalo.edu/epc/
Newpages.com (Publisher: Casey Hill; Editor: Denise Hill) http://newpages.com/default.htm
Michael Hall's eZine Links http://www.wam.umd.edu/~mlhall/magazines.html#e-zines

 

Class Description

This class explores the field of literary small press publishing and the practices of literary journal editors. Readings will explore the history, aesthetic considerations, and issues faced by literary journals in print and in emerging or established online media. Students in the class will also craft interviews, book reviews, and prefaces as well as explore funding, promotion, and how literary journals play a critical role in the greater cultural dialogue. Lastly, students will work to shape writing assignments for possible inclusion in the UWT student print journal, Tahoma West, or for possible publication elsewhere.

Required Texts

As no single book covers the multi-faceted issues of literary arts publishing, class readings will come from a “book” of articles compiled and made available by the professor either electronically or in print form.

Students in the class will also be required to buy a new collection of poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction for use in the review assignment. Before purchasing the book, students must have instructor approval for their title.

Learning Objectives

By the conclusion of this class, students should be able to:

Class Policies

a) Class Participation: Class participation is expected. You are to do all the required reading and/or required writing before each class. You should also be prepared to respond to the work in small and large group discussion settings. Failure to participate on any particular day may result in up to a 12 point deduction for that day from your total course-points accumulated. If you have no assignment with you on a due date, you will receive 6 penalty points. However, you will be expected to contribute to discussions in a constructive and collegial fashion.

As everybody gets occasionally ill, please refrain from coming to class when you have a contagious illness. However, you will be responsible for turning in all assignments on the day noted. We cover and discuss important material every day and you should have a plan in order to find out what was covered during any missed days. You are responsible for all material covered. My office hours are not to be used to go over material missed in your class absence. If you are frequently or habitually ill, or have other reasons that may keep you from participating on a regular basis, you should consider whether you are ready to take this course at this time.

b) Class Preparation and Discussion: Students should be prepared to discuss class subject matter and student writing in a mature fashion appropriate for a college classroom. The views that may be expressed in our reading, in our discussions, or by your peers may not be those of the university nor this professor; students should strive to respond and write responsibly, keeping in mind the possible effect of language used irresponsibly. The instructor reserves the right to give test and quizzes if sufficient student preparation seems lacking.

c) The Center for Teaching, Learning, & Technology (CTLT): CTLT offers support for student learning. Among the many useful services including help with math and public speaking, the Center also provides support for reading, study skills and writing:

http://www.tacoma.washington.edu/ctlt/learning/services/index.cfm#writing.

d) Disability Support Services (DSS): If you would like to request academic accommodations due to a permanent or temporary physical, sensory, psychological/emotional or learning disability, please contact Lisa Tice, counselor for Disability Support Services (DSS). An appointment can be made through the front desk of Student Affairs (253.693.4400), by phoning Lisa directly at 253.692.4493, [TDD: 253.692.4413], or by email: ltice@u.washington.edu. Appropriate accommodations are arranged after you’ve presented the required documentation of your disability to DSS, and you’ve conferred with the DSS counselor.

Note: I need official verification of accommodation from you and Lisa Tice before I can offer accommodations.

e) Academic Standards and Plagiarism

http://www.tacoma.washington.edu/catalog/pdfs/06-07A_UWT_Catalog_policies.pdf

“Students are expected to meet the traditional standards of honesty and truthfulness in all aspects of their academic work at UW Tacoma. In particular, all work submitted to an instructor in fulfillment of course assignments, including papers and projects, written and oral examinations, and oral presentations and reports, must be free of plagiarism. Plagiarism is using the creations, ideas or words of someone else without formally acknowledging the author or source through appropriate use of quotation marks, references and the like. Student work in which plagiarism occurs will not be accepted as satisfactory by the instructor and may lead to disciplinary action against the student submitting it. Any student who is uncertain whether his or her use of the work of others constitutes plagiarism should consult the course instructor for guidance before formally submitting the work involved” (UWT Online Catalogue).

Note: I report all incidences of plagiarism to the Vice-Chancellor for Student Affairs, who strictly enforces university policy in these matters. In other words, plagiarism can have serious ramifications including failure in the class and expulsion from the university. Students who plagiarize a paper or other assignment in my class may not rewrite the paper/assignment and the assignment will be scored as not received. Therefore, the student will be unable, due to the inability to complete all assignments, to pass the class.

f) Student Conduct Code: This class strongly adheres to the principles in the Student Conduct Code, and particularly to the Standards of Conduct described therein regarding appropriate class and university conduct. For this class, students are expected to review the Student Conduct Code and Standards of Conduct at http://www.washington.edu/students/handbook/conduct.html.

g) Inclement Weather: In the case of inclement weather (snow, ice, power outage), call the UWT snow #: 253-383-INFO. This number will inform you whether the campus has been closed. If the campus is open, we will be having class. You may also check the class homepage where I will post by 9:15 a.m. any cancellation notice at the top. You can also call my office (253.692.4755) for recorded information about the meeting of our class. In almost all cases, we will meet as long as the university is open. If there is no notice, we will be having class. Do not call the IAS office.

h) UWT Email Policy: "All university email communications will be conducted using the University of Washington email system." This policy includes all email regarding this class and other UWT related business.

Assignment and Grading Policies

a) Assignments (and quizzes and exams, if applicable) can only be turned in to me in class on the due date (No Exceptions). Writing may not be dropped off or picked up at the IAS office.

Assignments not turned in on time will receive a late penalty of 12 points per business day late and no late assignments will be accepted after the third business day, resulting in a zero score for that assignment.

Any materials not already returned to you at the end of the term can be picked up in my office the following term, or I will send them to you if you provide a SASE for the full postage in an envelope large enough for all of the materials.

b) Class Assignments: See assignment sheets for specific descriptions of assignments. The assignments will be worth the following (500 points total):

Print Journal Analyses: 100 pts.
Presentation of eZine & eZine Analyses: 100 pts.
Tacoma/Seattle Reading Review: 100 pts.
Book Review: 100 pts.
Preface: 100 pts.

Note: All work submitted for the class must be typed in a standard 12 point font on white paper with black ink. Double-space and use 1" margins on all sides. Print outs of papers must also be of a good quality with a professional presentation.

Students needing access to a computer may find one in the Computer Lab (WG108).

c) Class Grading: This class employs a Credit/No Credit grading system. Each assignment in this class will have a point value. To receive Credit for the course, students will need to complete all assignments and have a course points total of at least %70 of the course’s total points (all assignment points minus any penalty points). Students who do no complete all assignments will receive a No Credit grade even if their total course points exceeds the %70 minimum.

I believe that good writing develops over time with lots of practice. I’ve drafted much of mine own writing an average 8-10 times. In this course, I will provide you with an honest assessment of your work and suggestions for improvement. My primary goal is to utilize my years of professional experience as an editor and author to help you to obtain the skills necessary to succeed both in this class and beyond. Even when I offer constructive criticism, I’m also here to offer support, to believe that with hard work, continual practice, and dedication that you can achieve and excel (though it may take time and patience). I want you to believe in yourself as much as I believe in you. If you didn’t have skills or potential for excellence, you would not have made it this far in your academic pursuits. You can do it.