GEN 240 01 Introduction to Poetry

Evelyn Taylor, InstructorOffice:Presidents Hall

Three semester hoursPhone: 244-8159

Tuesday-Thursday 1:30 – 2:45 p.m.Home Phone: 894-2197

2012 Spring Semester (call before 10 p.m.)

Course Description

A survey course acquainting students with a variety of poetic forms. Special attention will be given to language, sound, rhythm, imagery, interpretation, and writing about literature.

Course Rationale

Poetry as a genre of writing has been called the language of emotion. As such, it is artistic composition that should be appreciated for its elements of creativity and style. In addition, poetry can be a useful tool in preaching and/or teaching as a means of understanding humanity. For those in Communication Arts and public education, the study of poetry is important for a well-developed understanding of the field.

Course Objectives

The student who satisfactorily completes this course should be able to:

A.Use information and tools discussed in class to understand and interpret poetry according to each poem’s unique characteristics.

B.Appreciate the aesthetic qualities of poetry as a result of understanding those characteristics.

C.Write a college-level critical interpretation of poetry using proper grammar, punctuation, and MLA documentation.

Course Text

Poetry, An Introduction, 6th ed. Michael Meyer. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2010.

General Information

  1. This is not a lecture class. To create an effective learning environment, you need to be actively involved. Your involvement will require reading and writing prior to class sessions, sharing in class discussions, being an involved member of group assignments, and generally being central to your own learning.
  1. If you miss more than four class sessions, you will be dropped from the class and receive the grade FA (failure due to absences). Arriving late or leaving early will be counted toward your absences. If you have perfect attendance for the semester, you will receive 100% as your daily participation grade.
  1. Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the date indicated on the course schedule. I will lower the grade on late assignments by one letter for each day past the due date. You must complete all assignments to pass the class.
  1. As a Christian, you are expected to be honest in all you do, and your work in this class is no exception. Consequences for plagiarism or dishonesty are clearly presented in the CCU student handbook. Please review.
  2. If you are using a computer for class, please sit in the first row.
  1. Please turn off and put away cell phones. If your phone is on your desk, ringing, or you are texting, I will ask you to place the phone on my desk to be retrieved after class.

Assignments

  1. Read the text. Literature is best understood and enjoyed when students have opportunity to discuss it with other students and the professor and interact with it. Consequently, your careful, thoughtful reading of the text will be essential for success in this class.
  1. Keep a Notebook. You are to keep a notebook or journal where you will keep notes, reflect on, and write about selected poetry. I will collect these journals randomly during the semester. I will give more specific information in class. Unless you are ill or traveling for the school, notebooks may not be turned in late.
  1. Participate in individual and group assignments. You will often work by yourself or with one or two other students to answer questions, or complete an assignment or quiz related to some part of the reading for that day. In order to participate, you will need your text at each class session. If you do not have the text with you, I will count you absent.
  1. Write a response paper. More information will be given in class as noted on the course schedule.
  1. Write a five-seven page researched paper with ten- to twelve-minute presentation. Mid-semester I will provide more information. Briefly, this assignment will involve choosing and researching a poet’s life and his or her poetic style and how that style is reflected in selected literature.

Evaluation

  1. Reading Notebook30%
  2. In-class assignments30%
  3. Response paper20%
  4. Research paper and presentation20%

Course Schedule

Date / Topic / Assignment
January 17 / Introduction / Bring syllabus to class
Introduction
January 19 / Reading Poetry / Chapter 1, pp. 19-38
January 24 / Reading Poetry (cont’d) / Chapter 1, pp. 38-57
January 26 / Writing about Poetry / Chapters 2 and 11
Assignment for Response Paper
January 31 / Words and Tone / Chapter 3, pp. 67-85
February 2 / Words and Tone (cont’d) / Chapter 3, pp. 85-105
February 7 / Images / Chapter 4, pp. 106-119
February 9 / Images (cont’d) / Chapter 4, pp. 120-132
February 14 / Figures of Speech / Chapter 5, pp. 133-144
February 16 / Figures of Speech (cont’d) / Chapter 5, pp. 145-156
February 21 / Symbol, Allegory, and Irony / Chapter 6, pp. 157-172
February 23 / Symbol, Allegory, and Irony (cont’d) / Chapter 6, pp. 173-185
February 28 / Sounds / Chapter 7, pp. 186-205
March 1 / Sounds (cont’d)
Peer revision / Chapter 7, pp. 205-216
Draft of paper 1 due
March 5-9 / Spring Break
March 13 / Patterns of Rhythm / Chapter 8, pp. 217-229
March 15 / Patterns of Rhythm (cont’d) / Paper 1 due
Chapter 8, pp. 229-241
March 20 / Poetic Forms / Discussion of Paper &
Presentation
Chapter 9, pp. 242-255
March 22 / Poetic Forms (cont’d) / Chapter 9, pp. 255-271
Date / Topic / Assignment
March 27 / Open Form / Chapter 10, pp. 272-284
March 29 / Open Form (cont’d) / Chapter 10, pp. 285-297
April 3 / Humor and Satire / Chapter 19, pp.523-532
April 5 / Humor and Satire / Chapter 19, pp. 532-539
Reading assignments for SS 1 to be announced
April 10 / Selected Study #1??
April 12 / (cont’d)
April 17 / (cont’d) / Reading assignments for SS 2 to be announced
April 19 / Community Service Day
April 24 / Selected Study #2
April 26 / (cont’d)
May 1 / (cont’d) / Draft of research project
May 3 / Research Project& presentations
Exam Week / Research Project & presentations

In the event of extenuating circumstances during the course of the semester, this syllabus, including the proposed schedule may be changed.