Studies in Creative Writing: Poetry

Course Details

Course Number: 3103 Section Number: 101

Fall 2011

Location: Dillard College of Business Administration

Classroom Number: 342

Days & Times: TR 11--12:20 p.m.

Course Attachments

Textbooks

MSU Faculty Member

James M. Hoggard
view Profile »

Course Objectives

Throughout the semester our major tasks will be to read selected poems carefully to see the connections between manners of presentation and effects created by the techniques used; to write poems; to discuss selected poems written by members of the class; to comprehend the relationship between understanding a poem and appreciating its comparative level of success. In doing the above, we shall explore representative examples of poetry in terms of levels of language used and possibilities of form, both fixed and open.

There will be numerous discussions having to do with rhythmic and sonic effects, the major forms for poetry, different attitudes toward poetic art and composition. In short, the students will be dealing with and becoming more knowledgeable about poetic history. The students will be developing throughout the semester a fairly sophisticated understanding of poetic technique, and with that points of advantage and disadvantage regarding particular concerns of style.

Each member of the class will be expected to turn in a new (or revised) poem approximately every week. Because these will be looked at as exercises, as efforts at exploration of voice and technique, they will not be graded, though I shall comment on them. Near the end of the semester each student is expected to turn in a sheaf of five poems written and polished during the semester. Success in the class will be determined by quality of improvement, attentiveness to and participation in class discussion, and faithfulness in regard to class attendance. Students may very well be dropped from class for what I consider excessive absences. I reserved the right to determine was “excessive” means. At the end of the semester, the students in the class will introduce a short selection of (about four) poems, written by the student during the semester, and read them to the class. In order to pass the course, the student will have to participate in the readings, and that includes being present while the other class members read. Failure to do either one of those will mean that the student has not satisfactorily completed the course.

Course Expectations

Aug. 23 Introduction: speaker, persona, line

25 The Red Wheel 338; Spring and All 337; This is 339, Digging 149, The soul 89

30 Image & metaphor; sonic devices, To The Virgins 159; Dream Boogie 173; The Negro 172

Sept. 1 Harlem 174; Punishment 152

6 Rhythm & Meter; Western Wind 3, Dover Beach 8; You fit 18

13 The Road 127

15 Poems from the class

20 Forms: Ballad, sonnet, terza rima, villanelle, ghazal, pantoum, haiku

22 Acquainted 130; Design 181; Stopping 129

27 That time 277; Sonnet 130 (p.278)

29 Poems from the class

Oct. 4 We real cool 45; Homage 65, The Emperor of Ice Cream 302

6 Holy sonnets 100; A Valediction 75

11 Ode 186; My Last Duchess 48;

13 Dulce Et 234; Because I Could not 91 (ext. metaphor), A Narrow Fellow 92

18 When I Heard 164, Sailing To Byzantium 185,

Leda 184

20 Poems from the class

25 My Papa’s 252; Being Born 224; Love is Not 224

27 What Lips 223

Nov. 1 Do Not Go 313; Fern Hill 311

3 Wild Nights 188; The Sun Rising 94

8 Anecdote 297; God’s Grandeur 161; The Windhover 162; Pied Beauty 162

10 Sunday Morning 298

15 TBA

17 TBA

22 Sunday Morning 298

24 THANKSGIVING / no class

29 1 SHEAF OF POEMS DUE; wrap-up

Dec. 1 Readings begin

FINAL EXAM (conclusion of readings): Wednesday, Dec. 6, 10:30 a.m.—12:30 p.m.

POEMS FOR FURTHER READING & STUDY

In A Station 251

The River-Merchant’s Wife 250

The Love Song 109

Cherry Log Road 84

Submission Format PolicyNote: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Writing Proficiency Requirement All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.