Fall 2004
T/Th 9:30-10:45 McIver 135

Julia Johnson
Office: McIver 201
Office Phone: 336-334-4696
jmjohns6@uncg.edu

Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 3:30-4:30, and by appointment

REQUIRED TEXTS:

Norton Anthology of Contemporary Poetry, 3rd Edition, Volume 2, Ramazani, Ellmann, & O’Clair

Poetry Handbook: A Dictionary of Terms by Babette Deutsch

COURSE DESCRIPTION

In this course, we will read a selection of contemporary poetry in English, carefully considering work by the major postwar poets, schools, and movements. Emphasis will be placed on introducing you to the aesthetic range of contemporary British and American poetry.

RESPONSE JOURNAL

This consists of a folder with double-spaced, typed loose entries (folders with pockets or binders work best) arranged in chronological order, with the most recent on top. Unless otherwise noted, you will write journal entries in response to the work assigned from the anthology. Journal entries consist of a page in response to the poets to be discussed in class. Your journal entry should also consist of a few lines on the technical aspects of the poem chosen. When TWO OR THREE poets are assigned, you may write a response to only one; however, do note why you chose one over the other/s. I will take these up, unannounced; your keeping up with them is an important part of your grade.

POETIC TERMS
I have also assigned terms from The Poetry Handbook. They are meant to inform you about the tradition and the craft of poetry, and will help you perform better in all areas of the class. They can also clear up any confusion you may have about a term used in class.

ATTENDANCE AND CLASS PARTICIPATION

Any successful class depends on all of its participants. Missing more than 10 minutes of any class will count as an absence, and frequent tardiness will affect your participation grade. You are allowed three absences. I will not excuse you for work due on a day you are absent; it is your responsibility to retrieve the assignment from another student and to turn in any work as soon as you are able. Please, no ringing cell phones, pagers, beepers, watches, etc., during class.

Readings

We are very fortunate to have many readings at UNCG by accomplished poets. I will announce readings as they come up. Your attendance is encouraged. Write a few sentences in response to each reading you attend in your journal.

GRADING

Participation in class discussion and response journal: 25%
Short Paper (1000 words): 20%
Long Paper (2000 words): 30%
Final Exam: 25%

Course Schedule
Subject to change

AUG 8/17 Introductions, syllabus, and discussion of course
8/19 Contemporary poetry: a brief introduction; Elizabeth Bishop

8/24 The New Criticism; Robert Lowell
8/26 Black Mountain School: Robert Creeley, Robert Duncan, Denise Levertov, and Charles Olson

8/31 May Swenson, Robert Hayden, Karl Shapiro
SEPT 9/2 Muriel Rukeyser, William Stafford

9/7 Randall Jarrell
9/9 John Berryman, Gwendolyn Brooks

9/14 Beat Poets: Allen Ginsberg, Lawrence Ferlinghetti
9/16 The New York School: Frank O’Hara, John Ashbery, and Kenneth Koch

9/21 SHORT PAPER DUE
James Dickey, Philip Levine, Louis Simpson
9/23 Mark Strand, Charles Simic, and James Tate

9/28 Charles Wright, Robert Hass, and Louise Glück
9/30 Sylvia Plath, Ann Sexton

OCT 10/5 Adrienne Rich, W.D. Snodgrass
10/7 Richard Wilbur, Donald Justice

FALL BREAK
10/14 The Movement: Kingsley Amis, Philip Larkin

10/19 Donald Davie, Thom Gunn
10/21 Tony Harrison, Thomas Kinsella

10/26 James Merrill, Rita Dove
10/28 Robert Bly, W.S. Merwin

NOV 11/2 Galway Kinnell, Derek Walcott
11/4 Ted Hughes, Geoffrey Hill

11/9 Seamus Heaney
11/11 Gwendolyn Brooks, Michael S. Harper

11/16 Yusef Komunyakaa, Henri Cole
11/18 Language Poetry : Susan Howe, Lyn Hejinian, Charles Bernstein

11/23 LONG PAPER DUE
Frank Bidart, Jorie Graham
THANKSGIVING

11/30 other poets and recent developments
12/2 other poets and recent developments