This course focuses on the discourse communities and self-knowledge foundations that are integral to confidence and success with creative academic writing and research. This course is designed as an introduction or entry to college-level expository writing. Structured to explore and critically examine writing and thinking through an inclusive Indigenous/ist lens, this writing course is for students wanting to get comfortable with writing and improve their critical thinking skills, expand their communication and problem-solving skills, and develop a tool kit of techniques suitable for both academic and creative writing. In conjunction with The Elements of Indigenous Style, this course will review and teach the Writing Process with hands-on activities and assignments to encourage well-developed habits of mind that lead to self-reflection, self-confidence and writing that effectively communicates to audiences. Elements of writing explored and practiced: brainstorming, pre-writing, poetics, low-stakes writing, research questions, thesis statements, outlining, writing in community, rhetoric, mechanics and personal style, format, drafting, editing, and revision practices. This is a welcoming environment for any student wanting to strengthen their writing, close reading, critical thinking, and poetic skills in community.
Book: Elements of Indigenous Style: A Guide for Writing By and About Indigenous Peoples by Gregory Younging and Research is Ceremony by Shawn Wilson.
All are welcome from beginning to advanced writers. This course is synchronous, on zoom, Mondays 6-9pm.