Survival Stories: Forces of Nature, Mythology, and Humanity in Fiction explores the fictionalized reality of how a group of people react to natural disasters and Sasquatch by reading, reflecting, and responding to Max Brooks' novel, Devolution: A Firsthand Account of the Rainier Sasquatch Massacre (required reading). This course is designed as part literature (reading and analyzing), part community studies through a sociological lens (reflections and seminar), and part creative writing (writing fiction). We will also consider how the story could be different if written through an Indigenous lens. Students will consider elements of natural disasters, community/humanity, and mythological creatures (mermaids, vampires, selkies, Iktomi, Chupacabra, hellhounds, jackalope, Yeti, Deer Woman, and so forth) to create their own short fiction story through a series of writing prompts. We will meet once a week on Thursdays 1:30pm to 4:30pm (in person); students who are place-bound, time-bound can take this course asynchronously (all remote via Canvas) with faculty approval. Synchronous in person learning 3 hours, asynchronous (Canvas) learning 1 hour per week.
This is an exploratory and intermediate level course. There will be written reflections, annotated readings, student-led seminars, and a final fiction project that includes a visual component.
Students who want an 8 credit option will have additional creative writing assignments and Canvas work. Brooks' novel is required before the first day of class. All level of readers and writers are welcome.
Anticipated Credit Equivalencies:
2 - Literature: fiction (8 credit students will receive 4 credits)
2 - Creative Writing: Fiction (8 credit students will receive 4 credits)
Registration
30 total students, 4 or 8 credits