I often switch around the organization of the courses. In English 120, we spend class time generating ideas for writing, doing imaginative exercises, writing, and discussing. In English 301 we do all of that, and we do some discussion of student work, sometimes as a whole group, and more often in small groups. As a contemporary writer, I really enjoyed the challenge of this course the first time I taught it. In this course, we read several novels in addition to using two anthologies as a resource for the other readings.
Students keep a brief response journal.
I expect everyone to type up a brief response to every piece of literature up for discussion and bring it to that day's discussion. There are usually two major papers and a group project, in addition to the journal project and a final. The class routine consists of large and small group discussions. There is a large expectation and responsibility for every student to be prepared to participate. I ask students to think of a way to share a piece of literature with a person or group outside of our class.