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Want to Report a Problem?","body":"\u003cdiv\u003e\n\t\u003ca class=\"btn btn-primary\" href=\"mailto:%20iwpmoocteam@gmail.com%20\"\u003eContact Us\u003c/a\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\t\u003cspan\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\nYour Community Managers and MOOC Team will respond as soon as possible!"},"gamification_leaderboard_num_students_to_show":0,"class_summary":"\u003cp\u003eOn May 15, 2017, the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa will open \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePower of the Pen: Identities and Social Issues in Fiction and Nonfiction\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/em\u003e, a free massive open online course. This creative writing MOOC will focus on writing about identities, communities, and social issues in fiction and nonfiction. There is no cost to enroll; registration is completely free for all participants. No writing experience is required. This MOOC welcomes writers of all communities and identities. \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eTo sign up, click the Sign Up button at top right!\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003ctable class=\"table table-bordered\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align: center\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOURSE OVERVIEW\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis MOOC will:\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eEncourage you to write both fiction and nonfiction\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eEncourage you to explore the intersections between these two genres\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eEncourage you to explore the intersections of individual, community, and global identities\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eEncourage you to examine the effect of current social issues on individual, community, and global identities\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eForeground the principles of short and long-form fiction\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eForeground the principles of three forms of nonfiction: literary journalism, memoir essay, and personal essay\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eSupport your experience of creative and cultural exchange with writers around the world!\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003ctable class=\"table table-bordered\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align: center\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOURSE PROFESSORS\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003cp\u003eProfessors Christopher Merrill and Venise Berry will lead you through this course. \u003ca href=\"http://www.christophermerrillbooks.com/bio.htm\"\u003eChristopher Merrill\u003c/a\u003e is Director of the International Writing Program and University of Iowa Professor of English; he has published six collections of poetry, five works of nonfiction, and many works of translation. His new work \u003cem\u003eStill Life with Dogwood\u003c/em\u003e has just been published. \u003ca href=\"http://www.veniseberry.com/1about.html\"\u003eVenise Berry\u003c/a\u003e is Associate Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Iowa; she is the author of four novels as well as four books on African-American representation in film. \u003c/p\u003e\u003ctable class=\"table table-bordered\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align: center\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCONTRIBUTING AUTHORS\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003cp\u003eOur contributing authors, who will share their craft principles and advice with you during the class videos, hail from around the world and across the United States. Each offers a unique perspective on the writing process. 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We will post new materials every Thursday. But you can access them anytime after they have been posted. This MOOC site will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can work at your own pace, on your own schedule. However you choose to participate, we welcome you. Come when you can and enjoy working with your teaching team and your classmates. \u003c/p\u003e\u003ctable class=\"table table-bordered\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align: center\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOPTIONAL CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003cp\u003eWe offer an optional certificate of completion for a fee of $50.00 USD. The certificate is a way for you to earn formal recognition for your work. You do not have to pay for the certificate to sign up for the MOOC or to participate; every part of the MOOC is free.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn order to earn the certificate, you have to meet certain completion requirements. So if you think you would like to earn the certificate, make sure you review these requirements when this MOOC opens on May 15.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ctable class=\"table table-bordered\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align: center\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003cp\u003eYou will need a computer or mobile device with a stable internet connection that will support your participation. If you would like to take this course but do not have reliable internet access, please contact us at distancelearning.iwp@gmail.com. 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This MOOC welcomes writers of all communities and identities. \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eTo sign up, click the Sign Up button at top right!\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003ctable class=\"table table-bordered\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align: center\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOURSE OVERVIEW\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis MOOC will:\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eEncourage you to write both fiction and nonfiction\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eEncourage you to explore the intersections between these two genres\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eEncourage you to explore the intersections of individual, community, and global identities\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eEncourage you to examine the effect of current social issues on individual, community, and global identities\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eForeground the principles of short and long-form fiction\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eForeground the principles of three forms of nonfiction: literary journalism, memoir essay, and personal essay\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eSupport your experience of creative and cultural exchange with writers around the world!\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003ctable class=\"table table-bordered\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align: center\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOURSE PROFESSORS\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003cp\u003eProfessors Christopher Merrill and Venise Berry will lead you through this course. \u003ca href=\"http://www.christophermerrillbooks.com/bio.htm\"\u003eChristopher Merrill\u003c/a\u003e is Director of the International Writing Program and University of Iowa Professor of English; he has published six collections of poetry, five works of nonfiction, and many works of translation. His new work \u003cem\u003eStill Life with Dogwood\u003c/em\u003e has just been published. \u003ca href=\"http://www.veniseberry.com/1about.html\"\u003eVenise Berry\u003c/a\u003e is Associate Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Iowa; she is the author of four novels as well as four books on African-American representation in film. \u003c/p\u003e\u003ctable class=\"table table-bordered\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align: center\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCONTRIBUTING AUTHORS\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003cp\u003eOur contributing authors, who will share their craft principles and advice with you during the class videos, hail from around the world and across the United States. Each offers a unique perspective on the writing process. We are honored to present their voices here.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ctable class=\"table table-bordered\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align: center\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTEACHING TEAM\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe teaching team, who will work directly with you online regarding the class videos, readings, and writing assignments, are alumni of the Iowa Writers' Workshop and other prestigious MFA programs with substantial publication records and exceptional teaching expertise. They will log into the course website at different times of day and night so that you will be able to interact with them from any time zone in the world.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ctable class=\"table table-bordered\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align: center\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHOW THIS MOOC WILL WORK\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"redactor-invisible-space\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery Thursday, we will post a set of new materials: videos recorded by our professors and contributing authors (including captions, transcripts, and audio files), readings, writing assignments, and discussions led by our teaching team. \u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery Thursday, you can respond to these materials by: completing and posting a writing assignment; adding your thoughts and questions to the discussions, giving feedback on writing assignments, and receiving feedback on your own assignment. \u003c/p\u003e\u003ctable class=\"table table-bordered\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align: center\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHOW TO PARTICIPATE\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003cp\u003eYou can participate at any time of day or night. We will post new materials every Thursday. But you can access them anytime after they have been posted. This MOOC site will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can work at your own pace, on your own schedule. However you choose to participate, we welcome you. Come when you can and enjoy working with your teaching team and your classmates. \u003c/p\u003e\u003ctable class=\"table table-bordered\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align: center\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOPTIONAL CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003cp\u003eWe offer an optional certificate of completion for a fee of $50.00 USD. The certificate is a way for you to earn formal recognition for your work. You do not have to pay for the certificate to sign up for the MOOC or to participate; every part of the MOOC is free.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn order to earn the certificate, you have to meet certain completion requirements. So if you think you would like to earn the certificate, make sure you review these requirements when this MOOC opens on May 15.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ctable class=\"table table-bordered\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align: center\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003cp\u003eYou will need a computer or mobile device with a stable internet connection that will support your participation. If you would like to take this course but do not have reliable internet access, please contact us at distancelearning.iwp@gmail.com. We will try to facilitate a local MOOC access group where you live.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"text-align: center\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMOOC SCHEDULE\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003ctable class=\"table table-bordered\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOpening Date\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMonday, May 15 at 12 pm Central Daylight Time (GMT-5)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrientation Days\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eMonday, May 15-Thursday, May 18: Orientation materials posted\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eYou can access orientation materials anytime after they are posted\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlock A: \u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeeks 1 and 2\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/strong\u003eTheme: Development of identity in community \u003cbr\u003eCraft topics: Voice and setting in fiction and literary journalism\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eThursday, May 18: Week 1 class materials posted\u003cbr\u003eThursday, May 25: Week 2 class materials posted\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eYou can access class materials anytime after they are posted\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlock B: \u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeeks 3 and 4\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/strong\u003eTheme: Identities on the move \u003cbr\u003eCraft topics: Structure in fiction, the memoir essay, and the personal essay\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eThursday, June 1: Week 3 class materials posted\u003cbr\u003eThursday, June 8: Week 4 class materials posted\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eYou can access class materials anytime after they are posted\u003c/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlock C: \u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeeks 5 and 6\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/strong\u003eTheme: Connecting and expressing identities\u003cbr\u003eCraft topics: Research, detail, and descriptive imagery in all forms\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eThursday, June 15: Week 5 class materials posted\u003cbr\u003eThursday, June 22: Week 6 class materials posted\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eYou can access class materials anytime after they are posted\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFarewell Days\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eThursday, June 29-Monday, July 3: Farewell materials posted\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eYou can access farewell materials anytime after they are posted\u003c/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClosing Date\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMonday, July 3 at 11:59 pm CDT\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003cp style=\"text-align: center\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eTo sign up, click the Register button at top right. \u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eWe look forward to working and writing with you soon. 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