The critical writing class is open to all students, and a majority are not journalism minors. We have a variety of guest speakers including director Cutter Hodierne, who won a Sundance award for his movie, “Fishing Without Nets,” Delaware chef Dana Herbert, who won the first season of “Next Great Baker,” and Gabe Hilfer, the music supervisor for “The Mindy Project,” television show.
Everyone brings in their favorite book, and then it gets assigned to another class member – who hasn’t read the book -to review. We go to a local restaurant where the class interviews the chef and tries a variety of menu items. Everyone writes their own review and compares notes afterward.
By the end of the class, students should realize that “reviewing” isn’t limited to movies, food and music, and that the best critics really know their subjects, whether it’s video games or fashion.
Note that I taught this class before everyone had smartphones and video capability, so that’s why it’s not included. We did audio reviews, as if they were writing for NPR, but they were through Gcast, which no longer exists.
Syllabus Course Schedule Book Review directions Kite Runner Review Food Review instructions California Pizza review Step review Fashion review Music review