Introduction to Poetry

What This Course Is About:

Whether or not you are coming to this class with any prior experience with reading poetry seriously or not, you should leave this course knowing something of the range, depth and precision of poetry over several historical periods; and you should be able to talk about poetry with some ease. Just as in many specialized disciplines, such as medicine or law which have their own specialized language to discuss ideas, so too does poetry. Though you will necessarily become familiarized with the language used to talk about poems, I am primarily interested in how you are able to make sense of and appreciate the poems we will read via your own language and analytical skill. Nevertheless, I will require that you work toward the clearest, most articulate analyses possible. Most of the work in this course will reside in our discussions of the poems, therefor it is necessary to read and think about the poems very hard before coming to class.

Required Text:

Poems, Poets, Poetry: An Introduction and Anthology by Helen Vendler

Class Requirements, Grade Percentages and Policies:

Requirements and grade percentages:

· 10% 1 Paper

· 15% Memorize a poem of at least 20 lines for recitation in class & 5-10 min. discussion/presentation on the poem you memorized

· 30% Class Participation (including, but not limited to: attendance, group work, discussions, homework and pop quizzes)

· 45% 3 Tests

Paper—you will be required to write a 2-3 page paper on the poem you choose for your memorization discussion/presentation. The paper needs to discuss important aspects of the poem’s structure such as meter, rhythm, form and how they relate to content. That is, the paper should not be about content alone. You need to make sure your paper has a thesis sentence and if you use sources, you cite them correctly. Always use 12 pt. Times New Roman or some similar font and double-space your papers. The acceptable margins are default on most computers and it is very easy to see when people try to cheat on this. Don’t do it. If you are in doubt, check that your margins are 1.25” on Left and Right and 1” top and bottom.

Memorization—because poetry is largely concerned with sound, rhythm and meter, a good way to learn what these structures can do is to memorize poems. When memorizing your poem, give yourself plenty of time to choose one that you find intriguing enough to discuss and write on. On the day of your memorization, you will have 5-10 minutes to recite your poem and tell the class what you found significant about your poem’s structure, style form, language etc. This should be a casual presentation, that is, you do not need to use power point or poster boards to enhance your discussion. Instead, you might ask the class a few questions or maybe use another poem from class to compare to yours in order to make a point. You are welcome to tell us something relevant about the author, but refrain from listing facts that really have nothing to do with the poem itself. Although it helps to like the poem you choose, is only necessary is that you are interested in it enough to share your interest in it with others. Don’t worry about being right or wrong in your interpretation or discussion. It is useful and interesting to hear your own observations and interpretations, even if some may disagree. Use concepts from the book and class discussions to help you. You are welcome to use the chalkboard, overhead projector or handouts and don’t hesitate to see me if you get stuck.

Mutual Respect

Because we are going to be in the process of community building, the most important policy of this course is mutual respect. I will respect you as a fellow learner with valuable ideas to contribute to this course, make myself available for questions, return your work in a timely manner, and come to class prepared. In return, I expect you to do your work to the best of your ability, come to class on time, and treat your instructor and your peers with respect. Your attitude in class does affect your grade. In addition, I expect absolute academic honesty. See note on plagiarism.

Attendance

ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED! You are allowed TWO absences during the semester—no exceptions. For each day you miss afterwards, your grade will drop one letter. If you miss six or more days, you will automatically fail the course.

If you are late to class by 10 min. or more, or if you leave early from class, it counts as ½ an absence.

Absences include illness, sporting events, car accidents, acts of nature, etc. In other words, an absence is an absence is an absence. I do not need a note from the health center or police department, as it will make absolutely no difference at all.

If you are absent on the day of a conference, a paper is due, or a workshop, etc., you will not only receive two absences, you will also get a zero for the missed assignment.

If you do not miss a class (and you are on time each day) you will receive extra credit toward your final grade.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is intentionally or knowingly representing the words of another as one's own in any academic exercise. This is a SERIOUS offense punishable by failure or even expulsion from school. I will not tolerate any act of plagiarism in this course, and ask that you sign the Academic Integrity Pledge each and every time you turn in a major assignment. The pledge reads: I HAVE ABIDED BY THE ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY ON THIS ASSIGNMENT.

Signature___________________________________________________

Date__________________

If you feel you cannot complete your own work, please discuss this with me before being tempted to cheat. Please see the Academic Integrity Policy III.2 for further information on how plagiarism is handled at UNCG.

Students with Disabilities

If you have a learning difference that could affect your performance in this course or for which you need accommodation, please contact me and/or the office of Disability Services at 334-5440.

Student Learning Goals

By the completion of this course, you should be able to read and speak about poetry more effectively. In addition, you'll learn tools for literary analysis as well as terms that accompany the genre. I will require you to locate and evaluate relevant information for presentations. From our readings, conversations, group work, and writing, you should be able to interpret and evaluate rhetorical devices and poetic structures and demonstrate an understanding of the varied characteristics of poetry, as well as apply techniques of critical analysis to them.

General Expectations

This course will be broad and foundational in nature; it will not assume extensive previous knowledge. In addition, the skills taught will prepare you for understanding and responding appropriately to the various rhetorical situations in any discipline.

English 106: Introduction to Poetry

*Schedule Subject to Change. You are responsible for keeping up with the changes.

M 1/13 Introduction

W 1/15 About Poets & Poetry xli-xlv

F 1/17 pg. 3-15

Last Day to Change Course or Course Section w/out Special Permission

M 1/20 MLK Jr. Holiday

W 1/22 Hayden (20), Plath (21), Dove (24)

Last Day to Drop for Tuition and Fees Refund

F 1/24 Milton (17), Hughes (19), Alvarez (25)

M 1/27 Johnson (16), Thomas (20), Komunyakaa (24)

W 1/29 pg. 27-47

F 1/31 pg. 47-62

M 2/3 Herrick (66), Atwood (69), Nelson (71)

W 2/5 Donne (65), Whitman (67), Frost (69)

F 2/7 Student Memorization

M 2/10 pg. 73-83 & Appendix on Prosody

W 2/12 pg. 84-97

F 2/14 Shakespeare (97), Frost (2 poems, 100, 101), Roethke (104)

M 2/17 Blake (98), Wolcott (105), Williams (104)

W 2/19 Review for Test

F 2/21 Test #1

Six Weeks Progress Report

M 2/24 pg. 107-125

W 2/26 pg. 126-135

F 2/28 Marvell (137), Keats (140)

M 3/3 Bradstreet (140), Pound (145), Graham (147)

W 3/5 Student Memorization

F 3/7 Class Canceled

M 3/17 Student Memorization

W 3/19 pg. 151-1-66

Last Day to Drop Without Academic Penalty

F 3/21 Donne (167), Keats (167), Bishop (173)

M 3/24 Cummings (173), Cervantes (174), Harjo (174)

W 3/26 Browning (168), Yeats (171)

F 3/28 Student Memorization

M 3/31 pg. 177-196

W 4/2 Dickinson (198), Sexton (209), Wright (210)

F 4/4 Cullen (206), Phillips (211), Kenyon (210)

M 4/7 Hardy (199), Williams (204)/ Review for Test #2

W 4/9 Test #2

F 4/11 Student Memorization

M 4/14 pg. 283-293

W 4/16 Browning (300), Wheatley (300), Frost (302)

F 4/18 Spring Holiday

M 4/21 Milton (294)

W 4/23 Student Memorization

*For the following poets, read all of their work that is printed in Part III, the Anthology section, beginning on page 359.

F 4/25 Keats, Wordsworth

M 4/28 Snyder, Wilbur Wright

W 4/30 Bishop, Brooks, Gluck, Levertov

F 5/2 Larkin, Williams, Stevens

M 5/5 Student Memorization

T 5/6 Test #3