Process traumatic lived experiences and foster healing through writing in this course designed to create a safe space for craft, discussion, and exploration of life-changing events.
Respond to writing prompts, live exercises, and reflections that help you contend with difficult memories
Discuss the role of trauma in writing and how it can be employed to craft compelling, meaningful stories
Broaden your approach to writing about lived experiences
Review published works by master writers whose works invite deeper understanding of traumatic events and experiences
About this course:
Writing about trauma allows us to process and give voice to our most challenging experiences, fostering healing and personal growth through creative expression. In this class, we’ll engage in writing prompts, live exercises, discussions, and reflections. Given the sensitive nature of writing about trauma, sharing your work with the class is optional, though there will be space and time for those who wish to do so. We’ll explore prompts that align with various methods for writing trauma, broadening our approaches. We’ll also review short examples from authors such as Elissa Washuta, Jeanne Thornton, Joan Didion, Claudia Rankine, and Wren Hanks. By the end of the course, you will have either a series of flash essays or one longer essay to share directly with the instructor.
This course is part of a large lecture series and does not include workshopping of student writing. It is ideal for those who wish to gain knowledge in a particular subject area without the concerns of receiving credit. Grades are calculated based on quizzes and exams. These courses cannot be applied to certificate completion at UCLA Extension.
Winter 2025 Schedule
Date & Time
Details
Format
-
Thursday 6:30PM - 8:00PM PT
Future Offering (Opens November 04, 2024 12:00:00 AM)
Enrollment limited to 50 students; early enrollment advised. Visitors not permitted. Internet access required.
This course is held via video teleconference. Instructors use Zoom to offer live class meetings at the designated class meeting time. Students must be present at the course meeting time as each student’s final grade may include scores for participation.
Please inform your instructor if you will miss a class meeting. You are responsible for any class information you missed. We suggest you arrange with a fellow classmate to share their notes when feasible.
Refund Deadline
No refunds after January 23, 2025
Course Requirements
Internet access required to retrieve course materials.
Schedule
Type
Date
Time
Location
Online
Thu Jan 9, 2025
6:30PM PT - 8:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Thu Jan 16, 2025
6:30PM PT - 8:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Thu Jan 23, 2025
6:30PM PT - 8:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Thu Jan 30, 2025
6:30PM PT - 8:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Thu Feb 6, 2025
6:30PM PT - 8:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Thu Feb 13, 2025
6:30PM PT - 8:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Thu Feb 20, 2025
6:30PM PT - 8:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Thu Feb 27, 2025
6:30PM PT - 8:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Thu Mar 6, 2025
6:30PM PT - 8:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Thu Mar 13, 2025
6:30PM PT - 8:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Contact Us
Speak to a student advisor. Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm.
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