Creative Writing 

 

Course Description:

 

Although writing is a solitary activity, this semester we will immerse ourselves in the close reading, writing and discussion of poems and poetics in order to gain a strong understanding of the many theories and techniques that compose the construction of poems. Additionally, by studying the art and craft of both canonical and contemporary poets, we will have frequent opportunities to discuss how poets of various poetic schools and time periods might have influenced each other. It is my great hope that at the end of the semester we will not only produce a number of exciting poems, and further our critical thinking skills, but that we will also deepen our appreciation for poetry as an art form whose roots and traditions are indispensable to our work as poets today.

 

Texts and Materials:

 

 

You are responsible for reading all assigned texts and attending each class prepared to participate in class discussion.

 

Assignments and Grading:

 

• Portfolio of 3 CLOSED FORM poems (with revisions), 25% of grade
• Two brief (~500 word) poem/movie reviews, 20% of grade
• One critical essay (3,000 words) in which you analyze a writer’s body of work, 30% of grade
• Oral Presentation, 15% of grade
• Miscellaneous requirements: active participation and critical feedback, scansion quiz, etc., 10% of grade

 

Writing and Reading Assignments:

 

Poems (Portfolio): All poems are due on the assigned days. During the semester you need to keep copies of all your poems and revisions—you will turn them in at the end of the semester. Please staple all revisions together, with the final draft on the top.  The poems form an archeology of your progress during the semester. 

Journal (Portfolio): Keep a journal in which you make notes about ideas for poems, words that appeal to you, metaphors, exercises from class, and general notions about the world.  If you are faithful about keeping your journal, it will serve you well during the last half of the semester, when many students find it hard to think of subjects to write and think about.

 

Two brief book reviews (Portfolio): You will be assigned two books to review. You must purchase the books with your own funds (which is why we won’t be using a textbook).

 

Course Reflection (Portfolio): Please reflect on your development as a poet in conversation with other poets, in an essay of 500 words.

 

 

 

 

Oral Presentation: You are responsible for a 15-minute presentation on a poet and his/her craft. Your presentation should include a brief writing exercise.

 

Attendance:

 

Students are expected to attend class on regular basis and not be late.  Students who miss more than three classes or come in late more than thrice will have their participation grade lowered one step (for example, from A to B). However, if serious illness, family emergencies, or other crises occur during the term, one of the key things you must do is contact me AND the Director of the M.F.A. Poetry Program as soon as possible. 

 

Academic Integrity:

 

Any work that you submit at any stage of the writing process – draft, thesis and outline, bibliography, etc., through final version – must be your own; in addition, any words, ideas, or data that you borrow from other people and include in your work must be properly documented.  Failure to do either of these things is plagiarism. 

 

Policies:

 

• Abusive behavior of any kind, toward your instructor or another student, is forbidden by university policy and may result in expulsion.  There will be specific protocols for giving feedback in class, and I will spend time explaining them and making those clear.  Insulting or mean-spirited commentary will not be tolerated.  Because this is a form and theory course, we will discuss work that represents a variety of tastes and subjects.  Please keep in mind that it is our job to evaluate writing – and the ideas behind it –in terms of its merit, not what we believe to be its moral quality.

 

• No work will be accepted late unless previous arrangements (at least 24 hours in advance) have been made with me.  No work will be accepted via email.

 

• All writing assignments should be typed in 12 pt. Times New Roman font, with 1.25’’ borders, and paginated (poems may be single-spaced).

 

If you have a medical condition or disability, please let me know. However, notifying me