Course Syllabus

 

Travel Writing C

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Semester & Location:

Spring 2020 - DIS Copenhagen

Type & Credits:

Elective Course - 3 credits

Major Disciplines:

Communication, Creative Writing, Literature

Faculty Member:

Julie Bondo Gravesen 

Program Coordinator: Katrine Trolle - ktr@dis.dk 
Time & Place:

Mondays & Thursdays 14:50 - 16:10 
Classroom: V10-A33

 

Course Description

The world is full of fascinating people and places –and stories waiting to be told. Travel writers capture these stories and pass them on to their readers. Good travel writers make us care. In this class, you will learn how to identify relevant stories, how to gather material and how to release all of this in well-written pieces. Our main focus is narrative journalism - the kind of stories you would normally see as features in travel magazines.

This is a hands-on workshop-based class. You will be writing your own stuff from the very first day, and we will spend a lot of time giving each other feedback on our writings. This way you will get to improve your ability to read both your own and others’ work in a critical light, which will strengthen both your analyzing skills and writing skills. You will also read inspiring articles by published authors, meet interesting guests and get an insight into travel writing on a professional level.

 

Instructor

Julie Bondo Gravesen 

Mail: julie.gravesen@dis.dk 

 

Objectives

  • To learn how to use writing as a tool for discovering, sharing and interpreting personal encounters with people, places and cultures.
  • To master important narrative techniques like writing scenes, finding your own voice and structuring the story.
  • To learn the conventions of good travel writing.
  • To develop a portfolio of work that draws on your experiences during this term abroad and includes observation, description and reflection.
  • To raise awareness of ethics in travel writing and pitfalls like stereotyping foreign cultures. 

 

Expectations

I expect you to attend all class sessions unless prohibited by an emergency. Participation makes up 20 % of your grade, and if you are not in class, you cannot participate. Regardless of whether the work under consideration is by a famous published writer or by a fellow student, I expect you to read it closely and come to class prepared to discuss it respectfully and thoroughly. I expect you to turn in assignments on time (this is necessary to give your readers a chance to thoroughly consider your papers before they are workshopped) and to incorporate the constructive opinions of the workshop as you revise. I also expect that, while being honest, you will be kind and respectful when you critique others’ work and will strive to be open and receptive when others critique yours.

 

Evaluation

You will write three complete papers over the course of the semester. Two classic pieces of travel writing (Paper 1 and Paper 2) and one reflection essay, where you can express yourself in a different way. In this paper you are expected to reflect on why people travel and how you approach the world as a traveler yourself. The two classic pieces of travel writing are handed in as drafts and workshopped, before you submit the final version to me. The grade will be based mainly on the final version, but I will also consider the effort you put into improving the piece throughout the entire process. 

The grade breakdown is as follows:

PARTICIPATION -20 % Participation includes attendance, coming prepared to class, joining thoughtfully in class discussions, completing the readings and doing in-class writing exercises. From March 30th you are expected to do your exercises (uploaded as non-graded assignments) and participate in discussions. 

PAPER 1-20 % 2-4 pages (line spacing 1,5) from Copenhagen or from one of your travels this semester. Focal points:Characters and descriptions.

LEARNING FROM THE MASTERS-20 % 2-3 pages (line spacing 1,5). A presentation of a world famous travel writer. I will give you three names and you will choose one of them. 

REFLECTION ESSAY - 40 % 3-5 pages (line spacing 1,5) where you reflect on your own role as a traveler. This paper can be based on more than one travel experience and will also give you a chance reflect on your entire study abroad experience. Focal points:Reflection and inclusion of various external sources.

Readings

All readings will be posted on Canvas.

The following titles are examples ofreadings, not a complete list.

Thomas Swick – A Moving Experience

Pico Iyer –Why we Travel

Karl Ove Knausgård -A Literary Road Trip Into the Heart of Russia

William Zinsser -Travel Writing

Alexandra Fuller –Patagonia Cowboys

Jack Hart - Story Craft

Wendell Berry - An Entrance to the Woods

Geert Mak – The Bridge –A Journey Between Orient and Occident (extract)

Chris Fitch –Serving the Community

Will Hunt – A Three-Day Expedition To Walk Across Paris Entirely Underground

Dervla Murphy - Between River and Sea

Geert Mak - In Europe (extract)

Tore Grønne - The Road Over Kunzum

Lavinia Spalding –The Cabin

 

Academic Regulations  

Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:

 

DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org

 

Course Summary:

Date Details Due