Final Syllabus
Travel Writing B, Spring Semester, 2017
3-Credit Elective Course
Time: Monday and Thursday, 13.15-14.35
Location: F24 - 406
Instructor: Brendan Sweeney
Tel. +45 51274768
DIS Contact
Matt Kelley, Program Assistant, European Humanities Department
Course description
As the great Medieval explorer, Ibn Battuta, once said: “Traveling – it leaves you speechless,
then turns you into a storyteller.” In this hands-on, practical class you will learn how to turn
your observations and experiences into compelling, informative narratives structured to
appeal to a broad audience. While examining key examples of the genre, you will draw on
local resources for your own work, learn some basic journalistic techniques and write travel
articles that will be critiqued and edited in a workshop setting. Class is discussion- and
workshop-based.
Objectives:
 To learn to use journalistic techniques as an effective tool for processing and sharing
personal experience and observation.
 To develop an appreciation of various approaches to issues in travel writing (setting,
audience, story, tone, etc.).
 To develop a portfolio of work that draws on your experiences during this term
abroad and includes observation, description, and reflection.
 To learn to critique other’s work effectively, constructively, and sensitively in a
collaborative setting.
Required texts:
 The Best American Travel Writing 2011 – Ed. Jason Wilson
 Creative Travel Writing A + B – DIS Compendium
I will supply all other readings online.
Approach to Teaching:
I want my classroom to be lively and interactive. I want to be able to ask questions and then
allow you to talk and explore ideas. I like it when students take risks and try out different
ideas and concepts in class. I want us to learn together. Think of this class as a seminar
where we meet with ideas, rather than a traditional lecture.
Expectations of the students:
I expect you to have done the reading for each class and to come with notes and questions
for me and for the other students. This will give us material to generate conversation.
When responding to questions in class, make reference to our readings to support the
points you are making wherever possible. Engaged participation is going to make the class
better for all of us, and will factor into your grade. The key word here is ‘engaged.’ You will
need to do more than simply show up.
Travel Writing B | DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia | Related Disciplines: Communication, Creative
Writing, Literature
Final Syllabus
Evaluation:
As we work through the assignments this semester I will provide you with guidelines to what
is required. The writing assignments will require you to work accurately and contextually,
making sure that what you write is clear and available to readers. You will aim to produce
texts which make ample use of many vivid words and phrases, the choice and placement of
which will feel accurate and unforced. Your introduction will grab readers from its distinctive
first sentence, and a hook will continue to keep them intrigued to the end while your main
ideas will be beautifully expressed and well-supported by useful, fascinating, and compelling
facts.
Format for handing in work during the semester:
Articles: Copies will be uploaded to Canvas as Word documents only. Deadlines apply to all
drafts, not just the final version, and these will be announced in class
Written feedback to each other: Bring hard copies of your articles to workshop sessions
when requested
Grading:
First Article (Copenhagen) 20%
Second Article (Europe) 20%
Photo Article 20%
Reflective Essay 20%
Feedback and participation 20%
To be eligible for a passing grade in this class you must complete all of the assigned work.
Disability and resource statement:
Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a disability should
immediately contact Office of Academic Support ([email protected]) to coordinate this. In
order to receive accommodations, students should inform the instructor of approved DIS
accommodations.
Policies:
Attendance – You are expected to attend all DIS classes when scheduled. Absences will
jeopardize your grade and your standing at DIS. Allowances will be made in cases of illness,
but in the case of multiple absences you will need to provide a doctor’s note. In a class
where we workshop writing it is vital that you are present when we are discussing student
work.
Academic Honesty:
Plagiarism and Violating the Rules of an Assignment
DIS expects that students abide by the highest standards of intellectual honesty in all
academic work. DIS assumes that all students do their own work and credit all work or
thought taken from others. Academic dishonesty will result in a final course grade of “F”
and can result in dismissal. The students’ home universities will be notified. DIS reserves the
right to request that written student assignments be turned in electronic form for
submission to plagiarism detection software. See the Academic Handbook for more
information, or ask your instructor if you have questions.
Travel Writing B | DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia | Related Disciplines: Communication, Creative
Writing, Literature
Final Syllabus
Course Schedule
Please note: subject to change with plenty of notice!
Thursday, January 19
Class Topic: Overview of class structure, objectives, and methods. Introduction to the genre.
Readings: Pico Iyer: “The Nine Commandments of Travel Writing”
Monday, January 23
Class Topic: The philosophy of travel and the art of reflection
Pico Iyer: “Why we Travel”
Thursday, January 26
Class topic: Tools of the trade, application of theory
Readings: Lonely Planet’s Guide to Travel Writing: “Why We Travel”
Monday, January 30
Class Topic: Motivation and Narrative Drive
Readings: Tanya Shaffer: “Looking for Abdelati.”
Thursday, February 2
Class Topic: The philosophy of travel and the art of reflection –Part 2
Readings: André Aciman: “Shadow Cities”
Friday, February 3
First Draft of Article 1 due
CORE COURSE WEEK
Monday, February 13
Workshop – Article 1 (Copenhagen)
Discussion and critiques.
Readings: Kurt Andersen: “Hi/Lo: Denmark’s Christiania…”
Thursday, February 16
Workshop – Article 1 (Copenhagen)
Discussion and critiques.
Readings: Porter Fox: “The Last Stand of Free Town”
Monday, February 20
Workshop – Article 1 (Copenhagen)
Discussion and critiques.
Readings: Student Writing
Wednesday, 22 February
1st Field study, 08.30-12.30
Thursday, February 23
Travel Writing B | DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia | Related Disciplines: Communication, Creative
Writing, Literature
Final Syllabus
Workshop – Article 1 (Copenhagen)
Discussion and critiques.
Readings: Student writing
Long Study Tour 1/Travel Break
Monday, March 6
Class Topic: A taste of something strange
Readings: Téa Obreht: “Twilight of the Vampires”
Thursday, March 9
Class Topic: History in travel writing
Readings: Gary Shteyngart: “Moscow on the Med”
Monday, March 13
Workshop - Article 2 (Europe)
Readings: Ernest Hemingway: “Bull Fighting a Tragedy”
Thursday, March 16
Workshop - Article 2 (Europe)
Readings: The Guardian: Horror Holidays
Long Study Tour 2/Travel Break
Monday, March 27 (Prepare for Carsten Jensen’s talk)
Workshop - Article 2 (Europe)
Readings: Carsten Jensen: “A Scar on the Landscape”
Thursday, March 30 (Carsten Jensen Talk)
Workshop - Article 2 (Europe)
Readings: Carsten Jensen: “Pure Evil”
Monday, April 3
Class Topic: Words and Image
Readings: Student Choice: Choose a Favorite Travel Article
Thursday, April 6
Class Topic: Words and Image –part 2
Reading: Colin Chris: “Going Dutch”
Monday, April 10
Class Topic: Writing workshop — discussion and critiques. (Article 3 – photo Articles)
Readings: Student writing
Travel Break
Wednesday, 19 April
2nd Field Study 13.00-17.00
Travel Writing B | DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia | Related Disciplines: Communication, Creative
Writing, Literature
Final Syllabus
Thursday, April 20
Class Topic: Writing workshop — discussion and critiques. (Article 3 – photo Articles)
Readings: Student writing
Monday, April 24
Class Topic: Writing workshop — discussion and critiques. (final reflection essay)
Readings: Student writing
Thursday, April 27
Class Topic: Writing workshop — discussion and critiques. (final reflection essay)
Readings: Student writing
Monday, May 1
Selection of pieces to be read at the final public reading
DIS End of Semester Showcase: Monday, May 8, 16:00 – 18:00
Travel Writing B | DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia | Related Disciplines: Communication, Creative
Writing, Literature