English 292
Reading and Writing Poetry
Course Policies and Procedures
Spring 2017Instructor: Keith Ekiss
T/TH: 4:30pm-6:20pm, Lathrop 298Email:
Office Hours: T: 2:30-4:30pm; TH: 3:30-4:30pmOffice: Margaret Jacks (Bldg 460), 210
Required Texts
Course Reader, available from CopyAmerica
Inger Christensen, Alphabet. Trans. Susanna Nied. New York, NY: New Directions. 2001.
Ada Limón, Bright Dead Things. Minneapolis, MN: Milkweed Editions. 2015.
Vénus Khoury-Ghata, Here There Was Once a Country. Trans. Marilyn Hacker. Oberlin, OH. 2001.
Yusef Komunyakaa, Magic City. Middletown, CT: Wesleyan University Press. 1992.
Requirements
Chapbook: The goal of the class is for you to write and revise a 15-20 page chapbook that includes poems you’ve written prior to this class and new poems. Emphasis will be placed on revision, generating new work, and shaping a collection.
Workshop: Each student will hand in approximately 5 poems for workshop. Please type all poems in an 11 or 12-point font. On each poem, include your name, the poem’s title, and the date. Bring enough copies for each member of the class, and a couple of extra copies. Poems may NOT be submitted via e-mail.
**You will receive a grade of ‘C’ for any poem or any assignment submitted after the due date, unless we have made other arrangements prior to the assignment’s deadline.
Participation: Because this course is a workshop, thoughtful, regular participation will be a key component of your success. I expect you to read each other’s work carefully in preparation for workshop, writing comments on each person’s poem; these critiqued poems will be returned to the writer as a resource for revision. You will also complete a series of in-class exercises designed to expand your sense of formal innovation. Lastly, you’ll be expected to engage closely with the poems in the course texts, bringing your ideas and observations to each class.
Reader’s Notebook: Each week, you will submit one page of notes and informal responses to the previous week’s readings. These notes are your chance to engage with, question, debate, and find inspiration from the wide variety of poems on the course list.
Readings: All students must attend a minimum of three poetry readings over the course of the term and submit a brief one-page response paper for each event. Please do not take notes during the reading. A list of events is located on the Creative Writing web site:
Individual Conferences: I will meet with each of you in conference at least once during the semester to discuss your progress and the direction of your work. This meeting will count toward your participation grade.
ABSENCES: Attendance and participation is critical to your success in this course. You will be granted two unexcused absences for the duration of the semester. Additional absences will drop your final grade by one full letter grade for each session missed.
TARDINESS: Since this is a discussion class, punctuality is very important. If you must come late for any reason during the quarter (or request to leave early), please let me know as soon as possible. If you are more than ten minutes late to class without prior permission, this will count as an unexcused absence.
Conferences: My office hours are listed above. If that time is not convenient, I am happy to schedule an alternative. Along with the required meeting, I may also request a conference if I think it would benefit your work or progress. Please reserve e-mail for simple requests, or minor housekeeping matters.
Grading and Revision: The percentages of contribution to your final grade are as follows:
In-class participation20%
Homework (poems and other exercises)20%
Chapbook30%
Reading Notebook20%
Reading Attendance10%
Disability Support: Students who have a disability that may necessitate an academic accommodation or the use of auxiliary aids and services must initiate the request with the Disability Resource Center (DRC). The DRC is located at 563 Salvatierra Walk; 723-1066.
Academic Integrity: For questions regarding proper classroom and student conduct, please refer to the Stanford Student Honor Code.
English 292 • Advanced Poetry Writing • Syllabus
APRIL
04TuesdayAdvanced Poetry
Handouts: Syllabus and Course Policies
Abecedarians by Anon., Diaz, Forché
Nietzsche, “The Birth of Tragedy”
06ThursdayWildness and Clarity
11TuesdayKomunyakaa, Magic City
Glück, “Against Sincerity”
Komunyakaa, “Poetry and Inquiry,” “Hotbeds and Crossing over Poetic Traditions,” “Blue”
13ThursdayWorkshop / Praise and Lament
18TuesdayChristensen, Alphabet
20ThursdayWorkshop / History and Politics
25TuesdayLimón, Bright Dead Things
27ThursdayPoetry and Character / Workshop
MAY
02TuesdayKhoury-Ghata, Here There Was Once a Country
04ThursdayConferences
Glück, “Disruption, Hesitation, Silence”
09TuesdayBook TBD
11ThursdayWorkshop
16TuesdayStudent-selected Book
18ThursdayTBD
23TuesdayClass Anthology
25ThursdayWorkshop
30TuesdayVisitor TBD
JUNE
01ThursdayFinal Workshop
06TuesdayFinal Workshop
EGL-292, Advanced Poetry Writing 1 of 3