English 106-01
Introduction to Poetry
Overview:
This course will help you better appreciate poetry. We will read and analyze poems, concerning ourselves with theme, language, sound, structure, technique, style, and more. We will explore poems written in the 16th century, poems published this year, and poems composed in between. This will be a discussion-based class with lectures.
Student Learning Goals:
At the end of the course, you should be able to:
Identify and understand varied characteristics of poetry, apply techniques of literary analysis to texts, and use literary study to develop skills in careful reading and clear writing. This course will be broad and foundational in nature; it will not assume extensive previous knowledge of poetry.
Texts:
The Norton Anthology of Poetry, shorter 4th edition. Ferguson, Salter, and Stallworthy, eds.
The Lotus Flowers, Ellen Bryant Voigt.
A number of handouts. You must make it your responsibility to keep these handouts in one available and sacred place.
Highly recommended text: Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary.
Attendance:
Attendance is required. You are forgiven two absences. After that, each absence lowers your final grade one letter, even if your reasons for missing the class are legitimate. Missing five classes will make it almost impossible to pass the course. If you are absent, you are responsible for obtaining any materials and completing any assignments prior to the next class meeting. You are also responsible for information covered in your absence.
Requirements:
You are required to come to class having read the material, ready to actively participate in class discussion. This is time-consuming, as I expect you to read the poems assigned at least twice so that you understand the text before we begin to uncover it further. Have comments, responses, and questions about the poems ready to share with the class. You should always bring your book and any relevant handouts with you. There will be one midterm, one final examination, one small-group presentation, one quiz on poetic terminology, and a number of writing assignments, including one two-page essay and one three-page paper.
Grading:
Participation, quizzes = 15%, Midterm Exam = 20%, Final Exam = 25%, Writing Assignments = 25%, Presentation = 15%. Late work policy: You lose a letter grade for turning in work a day late and must make prior arrangements to hand it in late. After that, I will not accept the work. No exceptions. All writing assignments must be typed or computer generated.