Creative Writing: Poetry

Course Details

Course Number: ENGL3103  Section Number: 101

Fall 2012

Location: Bea Wood Hall

Classroom Number: 210

Days & Times:

TR 9:30 a.m. -- 10:50 a.m.

Course Attachments

Textbooks

The Seagull Reader: Poems, 2nd edition  ISBN: 13:978-0-393-93093-1
MSU Faculty Member
James M. Hoggard   
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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.


Course Expectations

Each member of the class will be expected to turn in a new (or revised) poems 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 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.


Final Exam12/11/2012  8 a.m. -- 10:00 a.m.

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.

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

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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.