ADVANCED POETRY WRITING-ENGL 4300-01 (CRN 24712)
Spring 2007— MW 4:30-5:45pm—G233 (A&S Bldg)
Dr. Brigitte
Byrd
Office: A&S 210M
brigittebyrd@clayton.edu
Office Phone: (678) 466-4556
http://a-s.clayton.edu/bbyrd/Homepage.htm Office hours: TBA
(and by appointment)
Creating
Poetry, John Drury
Poemcrazy, Susan Goldsmith Wooldridge
Shade
2006: An Anthology of Poetry and Fiction,
ed. David Dodd Lee
The
Poetry Daily website: http://www.poems.com/
Silliman’s blog: http://ronsilliman.blogspot.com/
Additional Required
Materials:
2 manila folders or envelops in which you will turn your midterm and final portfolios
$20 for copying expenses
Notebook Computer Requirement:
Each CSU student is required to have ready access throughout the semester to a notebook computer that meets faculty-approved hardware and software requirements for the student's academic program. Students will sign a statement attesting to such access. For further information on CSU's Official Notebook Computer Policy, please go to http://itpchoice.clayton.edu/policy.htm.
In-class Use of Student Notebook Computers:
Student notebook computers will be used daily in the classroom. Computers are required to access course materials and to communicate with me. Access to the internet is mandatory.
Catalog Description:
Advanced instruction in writing poetry.
Prerequisite: ENGL 3800 (Intro to
CRW) with a minimum US grade of C
This course focuses on poetry writing through the study of the craft which we will apply in the workshop. We will discuss sources of inspiration, things to write about, preparation, language, sight, sound, movement, shape and voice. I will introduce you to the works of major 19th century poets (Dickinson, Whitman, Rilke, Rimbaud) and Modernists (Eliot, Pound, Stein), New York School poets (O’Hara, Ashbery, Koch, Schuyler), Beats (Ginsberg, Ferlinghetti, Rexroth, Kaufman), Black Mountain poets (Olson, Creeeley, Levertov, Duncan), “confessional” poets (Lowell, Plath, Sexton, Berryman), and Language poets (Hejinian, Bernstein, Silliman, Howe, Palmer, Mac Low).
-You will be tested on the material covered in class regularly.
-You will participate to an assigned open mic reading.
-You are required to attend 4 readings from the Clayton State University Visiting Writers Series (spring 2007)
http://a-s.clayton.edu/langlit/visiting%20writers%20reading%20series%20spring%2007.pdf
-Your midterm portfolio will include all exercises (finished and typed) pertaining to the first part of the semester.
-Your final portfolio will include all exercises (finished and typed) pertaining to the second part of the semester and three to five thoroughly revised poems stemming from the exercises (typed).
After starting most
of the exercises in class, you will finish them at home, type and edit them
before placing them in your folder. These
exercises are designed to trigger your imagination, help you start
writing, and support a point/element of craft discussed in class.
Participation to an
open mic reading:
You will select two poems to read at the event which I will announce later in the semester.
Late work Policy:
I do not accept late work. Late work will receive a 0 unless arrangements are made between us before a planned absence or immediately after class, in the case of a personal emergency. Once we have made arrangements, you will turn the assignment in question directly to me.
Conferences:
Although I encourage students to visit me during my office hours, I also require 1 mandatory conference. Not showing up at a scheduled conference is the equivalent of 2 absences.
Visiting Writers
Reading Series:
Mandatory attendance to 4 events* from the Clayton State University Visiting Writers Reading Series. This semester, I have scheduled events during the day and in the evening in order to reduce any schedule conflict. This said, if your school schedule or your work schedule prevents you from attending 4 events from the Clayton State University Visiting Writers Reading Series, you need to see me by January 26 so that we may make other arrangements.
*You will notice that
I have canceled 2 class meetings this semester in order to make up for your
attendance to our
University Policies:
Students must abide by policies in the Clayton State University Student Handbook, and the Basic Undergraduate Student Responsibilities.
University Attendance Policy:
Students are expected to attend and participate in every class meeting. Instructors establish specific policies relating to absences in their courses and communicate these policies to the students through the course syllabi. Individual instructors, based upon the nature of the course, determine what effect excused and unexcused absences have in determining grades and upon students’ ability to remain enrolled in their courses. The university reserves the right to determine what excessive absences, whether justified or not, are sufficient causes for institutional withdrawals or failing grades.
Attendance:
Attendance is expected for all class
periods. Attendance is mandatory to 4 readings** (Clayton State U Visiting
Writers Reading Series Spring 2007), one open mic event, and all
workshops. By
“mandatory” I mean that failing to comply with the previous requirements
will result in dropping one letter grade from your overall grade.
An excused absence is an absence for which you provide me with a note
from your doctor or other competent authority.
Any absence after 2 excused absences will affect your participation
grade. After
4 excused or unexcused absences, your overall grade for the course will drop one
letter grade then one additional letter grade for each additional absence.
**You will notice
that I have canceled 2 class meetings this semester in order to make up for your
attendance to our
Plagiarism:
Any type of activity that is considered dishonest by reasonable standards may constitute academic misconduct. Plagiarism is one of the most common forms of academic misconduct. It will not be tolerated. Plagiarism is a counterproductive, non-writing behavior that is unacceptable in a course intended to aid the growth of individual writers. Plagiarism is representing another’s work or part thereof, be it published or unpublished, as one’s own. All instances of academic dishonesty will result in a grade of zero for the work involved. All instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Office of Student Life/Judicial Affairs. Judicial procedures are described at
http://adminservices.clayton.edu/studentlife/judicial_affairs.htm.
Disability Services:
Individuals with disabilities who
need to request accommodations should contact
the Disability Services Coordinator, Student Center 214, 678-466-5445.
disabilityservices@mail.clayton.edu.
In order to receive a C in this
course, you must turn in all the written work below on time, participate in the
open mic event, and attend 4 readings (Clayton State U Visiting Writers Reading
Series). Remember that attendance is
required and that after 4 excused or unexcused absences, your overall grade
starts dropping. Similarly attendance
is mandatory for workshops, the open mic event, and the 4 readings. By
“mandatory” I mean that failing to comply with any of the previous
requirements will result in dropping one letter grade from your overall grade.
Midterm Portfolio (30%):
Tests
10%
All exercises started in class finished and typed
10%
Participation
10%
Final
Portfolio (70%):
Tests
30%
All exercises started in class finished and typed
10%
3 to 5 finished, typed and thoroughly
revised poems
20%
Participation
10%
A 90-100 (excellent)
B 80-89 (above average)
C 70-79 (average—i.e. you did everything, but the quality of the work is average)
D 60-69 (you probably forgot to turn in some assignments or did not attend all required events. . . .)
F 60 and below
The mid-term grade in this course, which will be issued on February 27, reflects Monday
approximately 30% of the entire course grade. Based on this grade, students may choose to withdraw from the course and receive a grade of "W." Students pursuing this option must fill out an official withdrawal form, available in the Office of the Registrar, by mid-term.
_____________ OPEN MIC EVENT (TBA)
1/22 @ 12:30pm (UC 267) / Nathalie Anderson (poetry)
2/07 @ 12:30pm (UC 267): Phillip DePoy (fiction)
2/12 @ 12:30pm (UC 272): High Schools Poetry Contest
2/19 MIDTERM PORTFOLIO DUE IN CLASS
2/28 @ 7:30pm (UC 327): Camille Martin (poetry)
3/20 @7:30pm (UC 265): Bruce Covey (poetry)
3/28 @ 7:30pm (UC 327): Clayton State U creative Writing Students Reading
4/12 @ 7:00pm (UC 272): David Dodd Lee (poetry/Poetry Palooza judge) / Poetry Palooza/Cygnet Launching
4/30 FINAL PORTFOLIO DUE IN CLASS
Course
Schedule:
You must bring Shade 2006 to every class meeting along with your computer, paper,
pen, and your notebook (see below). I
will refer to Creating Poetry as CP.
As
most writers do, you will keep a small notebook with you at all time during this
term so that you can record thoughts, dreams, observations, and start a list of
words. Your notebook then becomes a
pool of words and ideas for you to use in your creative work.
Week 1
1/08 Introduction to the course and to peers
1/10 Start reading poemcrazy (you need to have read the entire book by 2/05), introduction and map of poetic terms.
Week 2
1/15 Martin Luther King Jr. Day / NO CLASS
1/17 CP (chapter I—preparing) and (chapter IX—sources of inspiration), in-class exercise 1
Week 3
*1/22 Poet Natalie Anderson reads at 12:30pm (UC 267)
1/22 CP (chapter X—things to write about), in-class exercise 2
1/23 Introduction to Dickinson and Whitman, CP (chapter II—language)
Week 4
1/29 Introduction to Rilke and Rimbaud, CP (chapter III—sight)
1/31 in-class exercise 3
Week 5
*2/07 Mystery novel writer Phillip DePoy reads at 12:30pm (UC
267)
2/05 poemcrazy, test 1
2/07 Introduction to Pound and Eliot, CP (chapter IV—sound) and (chapter V—movement)
Week 6
*2/12 Regional high school students poetry contest reading at
12:30pm (UC 272)
2/12 Introduction to Stein, CP (chapter VI—shaping)
2/14 In-class exercise 4
Week 7
2/19 Test 2, mid-term portfolio due, sign in for workshop
Group 1:______________, ______________, ______________, ______________
Group 2:______________, ______________, ______________, ______________
Group 3:______________, ______________, ______________, ______________
Group 4:______________, ______________, ______________, ______________
Group 5:______________, ______________, ______________, ______________
2/21 no meeting today for attending a reading
Week 8
*2/28 Poet Camille Martin reads at 7:30pm (UC 327)
**Note: the AWP (Association
ofWriters &Writing Programs) Conference is in
2/26
Introduction to
2/28 Workshop group 1--(bring enough copies of your poem for everyone in the class—including me)
Week 9 SPRING BREAK
Week 10
3/12 Introduction to Beat poets, in-class exercise 2
3/14 Workshop group 2--(bring enough copies of your poem for everyone in the class—including me)
Week 11
*3/20 Poet Bruce Covey reads at 7:30pm (UC 267)
3/19 Test 1
3/21 Introduction to
Week 12
*3/28 Creative writing students read at 7:30pm (UC 327)
3/26 Workshop group 3--(bring enough copies of your poem for everyone in the class—including me)
3/28 Introduction to “confessional” poets, in-class exercise 4
Week 13
4/02 Workshop group 4—(bring enough copies of your poem for everyone in the class—including me)
4/04 no meeting today for attending a reading
Week
14
*4/12
Poet and fiction writer David Dodd Lee reads at 7:00pm (UC 272) and
announces the winner(s) of the Poetry Contest for works submitted to the Cygnet.
These students will read their work in the context of the Poetry Palooza
and will be joined by faculty. This
major event will launch the 2007 edition of the Cygnet.
4/09 Test 2
4/11 Introduction to Language poets, in-class exercise 5
Week 15
4/16 Workshop group 5--(bring enough copies of your poem for everyone in the class—including me)
4/18 Test 3
Week 16
4/23 no meeting today for attending mandatory conference
4/25 no meeting today for attending mandatory conference
Week 17