Catalyst Writing Collective . ENGL 106CW
An introduction to techniques of creative writing, editing, design, presentation, and production, culminating in the quarterly publication of the English Department Literary and Arts magazine, The Catalyst. This class is a collaborative faculty-student seminar group featuring creative writing and design workshops, and facilitating the production of a dossier of creative work in both the literary and visual arts. Students who have taken the class at least once may apply during the spring quarter to be part of the editorial team for the following academic year. Contact the professor at https://catalyst.english.ucsb.edu/.
Prerequisites: Upper-division standing; consent of instructor.
4
UnitsOptional
Grading1
PasstimeUpper division only
Level LimitLetters and science
CollegeThese majors only engl wtlcs clit
Predicted Grading Distribution
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Past Enrollment Trends (7)
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Rate My Professors
52
4.4
This was a hard class as a non English major. Unfair grading across TAs and grading expectations were not explicit. Lectures consisted of plot summaries rather than the deep insightful analyses needed to succeed on essays and the midterm. My grades were never imputed into canvas, so I don't even know what I got on the final.
Amazing professor, his class is so interesting and the required reading is fire.
My least favorite class so far at UCSB, the midterm was ridiculous and not many people did well. Be careful with your TA they have all the power. Not many people succeeded with a certain TA.
The TA (Rossi) expected a LOT for the essays for this class. Had to pull off niche and creative connections and analysis to manage an A. May have struggled because I am not an English major but I found it to be a lot of work. However, not impossible and attending office hours was helpful!
Professor Donnelly is odd. He's incredibly funny and a pretty captivating lecturer but if you interact with him outside of the lecture hall he's extremely rude. I spoke with him outside of class a lot and can say I rarely had a good experience. So, while as a professor he's great, be prepared for the whiplash of speaking with him outside of class
Donnelly is one of the best professors. He makes lectures engaging and relevant. This is one of the best English classes I've taken at UCSB, highly recommend. Midterm is okay if you go to lectures and do the readings. Come up with original topics for your papers and go to your TA's office hours. Great class, loved that we read the Hunger Games.