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Academic Year 2005/2006


From Idea to Plot: Writing as a Cultural Performance
RELI 478 FA

Every story starts from something: an image, a metaphor, a location, a character or even a scent. From that point of birth until the final editing stages the story's plot is being formed. Some see in the plot the story's backbone, others its engine. Both metaphors make us aware of its importance. How can we construct plot, and more importantly, how can we improve one when we already have our first draft? In this workshop we will try by reading, by watching films and mostly by writing to understand more about the plot animal, its birth and its taming. During the workshop its participants will need to write short fiction pieces (the participants should be students that have interest and confidence in writing fiction (either as stories, plays or screenplays). Films, short stories and screen plays from American and Israeli cultures will be used in this workshop.

MAJOR READINGS

Short stories by Israeli writers Orly Castel-Bloom and Yoel Hoffman.

Films: THE CRYING GAME, MILLER'S CROSSING

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

4 papers

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Classroom attendance and participation.

COURSE FORMAT: Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: .5    Gen Ed Area Dept: HA RELI    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-30-2006


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