W.O.R.D. Sojourn
For the aspiring writer ESR offers the W.O.R.D. Sojourn, an opportunity for students to answer God's gentle nudge to begin writing as an act of ministry. The year-long W.O.R.D. Sojourn offers students access to four individual courses focusing on writing as ministry. They may also participate in the annual Ministry of Writing Colloquium.
The following descriptions provide details about each opportunity. For further information, contact Sue Axtell at 800-432-1377 or axtelsu@earlham.edu.
W.O.R.D. Sojourn Courses 2006 - 2007
- Aspects of Writing as Christian Ministry (ATST 121)
- Instructor: Susan Yanos
- Dates: Aug. 7-18, 2006
- Time: Monday-Friday, 8:30-12 noon
- Location: ESR Center
This course introduces the concept of writing as a public ministry. Students look at writing through Christian history, study the Friends tradition of publishing as ministry, and examine types of public ministry using writing - such as publication, in therapy and/or recovery groups, at writing clubs in local congregations, and more. This class works on basic writing skills and the idea of writing to express. 3 semester hours
- Writing as Public Ministry (ATST 232)
- Instructor: Susan Yanos
- Dates: Aug. 31-Dec. 16, 2006
- Time: Wed-Fri 9:55-11:10 a.m.
- Location: ESR Center
This course is designed for students who want to explore what it means to write for publication as ministry. Students will participate in writing essays, devotional pieces, and reviews. They will also prepare for publication a major writing project of their own choice. Writing for publication is the intent of the course, so all aspects of such writing are explored (writing, editing and revising, market research, preparing queries and book proposals). 3 semester hours
- Writing for Publication (ATST 391)
- Instructor: Susan Yanos
- Dates: Jan. 23-May 4, 2007
- Time: Thursdays 6:10-9 p.m.
- Location: ESR Center
This course assumes students have good basic writing skills whether or they have been published prior to this class. Our objective is to move toward publication of a major writing project (at least 100 pages) and by the end of the semester to complete a first draft of a manuscript for publication. Since this is a seminary course, the kinds of projects which will fit best within a broad understanding of "religious writing" include the following: 1) collections of essays on theological, biblical or spiritual themes that fit well together; 2) devotional meditations that can be used for public or private worship and may have a variety of forms; 3) persuasive books addressing issues of peace and social justice or other significant concerns; 4) creative Bible studies; 5) autobiographical stories with which others can identify; 6) parables or fictional pieces for youth and children. Prerequisite: ATST 121 and 232. 3 semester hours
- Writing the Story (ATST 221)
- Instructor: Susan Yanos
- Dates: May 14-May 25, 2007
- Time: Monday-Friday, 8:30-12 noon
- Location: ESR Center
This course introduces students to, and gives them practice in, the basic techniques used to write good stories, whether fiction or non-fiction. Among others, it will cover point of view, the use of sensuous detail, the development of character and dramatic oppositions, the uses of melodrama, the creation of specific emotional effects, the use of complications, and the function of theme. It will show students how to find their own story ideas or germs and develop them into full stories, and how to work effectively with spiritual and religious content. In addition to assignments for each class, each student will complete a short story of about 2500 words. 3 semester hours