Fall 2026 – Writing Your Story: Creative Writing

Course Information

Course Description

From orientalist exoticism to hijab-bashing tales of “liberation” to terrorist thrillers, the literary landscape is littered with other people’s attempts to tell our stories, or to tell their own stories using Muslims as counterpoints. Often these charlatans drown out our own attempts at representation. But in these tumultuous times, we can’t afford to whisper any longer. It’s time for us to raise our voices with stories that are authentic and entertaining, marketing that is clever and effective, and outreach that is sincere and productive. 

This course features weekly readings and writing exercises that each focus on an individual aspect of writing, along with semester-long work on a creative project. Lessons on submitting your work, choosing a publication route and effective marketing ideas round out the syllabus. By the end of this course, students will have sharper writing skills and a firmer idea of what to do after the writing is done.

Course Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Write three-dimensional characters using techniques that reveal character indirectly
• Mold setting in a way that contributes to the mood and action of a piece
• Write dialogue that furthers both action and character development
• Understand the different kinds of publishing and how to access them.

Course Prerequisites

Course Materials

Students are responsible for purchasing all required textbooks before the start of class.
Ribāṭ textbooks are available at the Rabata Bookshop

Registration Information

Questions?
Contact registration@rabata.org

Attendance Policy

Students are expected to attend all scheduled class sessions and participate actively in their learning. Consistent attendance supports academic success and helps maintain the collaborative learning environment of the classroom. If an absence is unavoidable, students are responsible for communicating with their instructor, reviewing missed material, and completing any assigned work.

Technology Requirements

To ensure a successful online learning experience, all students must have regular access to a personal
computer and reliable high-speed internet. Courses at Ribāṭ University are delivered through Canvas and may include video lectures, interactive discussions, digital readings, and multimedia assignments.
Students are responsible for maintaining the technology needed to participate fully.

Minimum Technical Requirements

Technology Skills

Additional Notes and Technical Support

• Students are expected to check course announcements and email regularly.
• Technical support is available for login issues, course access, and basic troubleshooting.