Course Syllabus

INTRODUCTION TO POETRY

Spring 2016

Tom Marvin                                                                                                   section 26972

Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 12:30-2:00                                             CA 219

Office: Cavanaugh 501J                                                                               TR 10:30-11:45

Phone: 274-9844

 

Poetry is the most ancient and powerful form of human communication. We will explore poetry in English from a wide range of cultures and time periods, and also look at some poems in translation. We will investigate the cultural role of poetry in contemporary American society and experience the poetry scene in Indianapolis today. The course emphasizes active participation in reading, writing, reciting, and critiquing poetry.

 

OBJECTIVES: This course will help students achieve the goals of IUPUI’s Principles of Undergraduate Learning, with special emphasis on communication and critical thinking.

 

Students who complete this course successfully will be able to:

• identify poetic forms and understand their importance
• interpret a poem using correct terminology
• articulate a personal aesthetic and defend judgments about a poem’s merits
• appreciate the role of poetry in various cultures

 

REQUIRED READING assignments are all from The Norton Introduction to Poetry, ninth edition, but we will also explore other sources of poetry and bring our favorite finds into class. The “Reading More Poetry” section at the back of the Norton is a fine place to begin, but go beyond that and discover some of the poetry available in other books and on the internet.

 

Here are a few good places to begin your search:

 

The Academy of American Poets www.poets.org has a poem-of-the-day feature and collections from many of the best contemporary American poets, along with a vast audio archive of poets reading their work.

 

Poetry magazine’s website < http://www.poetryfoundation.org/> allows you to search over 100 years of the magazine by topic. It also has audio files and articles on poetry.

 

The Internet Poetry Archive <http://www.ibiblio.org/ipa/index.php> has several poems from major contemporary poets.

 

Bronwen K. Maxson is University Library’s liaison to the English Department. She is an additional resource to support you in your work here at IUPUI: She offers consultations to you for any stage of the research process, can help you learn research techniques, and will work with you to investigate resources for your topic. You can contact her at maxsonb@iupui.edu or another subject librarian: http://iupui.campusguides.com/librarians. Check out the English and other subject guides: http://iupui.campusguides.com.

 

EVALUATION: You will earn your grade by accumulating points for completing various assignments -- some of them mandatory and others optional. This system provides you with flexibility, so you can customize the course to fit your learning style, but it also requires responsibility and discipline to earn enough points for a good grade. You will develop a learning plan early in the semester and keep track of your progress by tallying the points you earn in various activities.

 

Total points needed for grade: 820 = A, 790 = A-, 760= B+, 730 = B, 700 = B-, 670 = C+, 640 = C, 570 = C-.

 Grading Scale for a 100 point opportunity: A= 80-100     B=60-80   C=40-60         D=20-30        F=0.

See canvas>files for the learning plan & detailed guidelines for assignments.

 

Ungraded Learning Opportunities (you do the work you get the points):

 

Weekly Online Discussions: Earn up to 20 points per week by participating in an online discussion. Each post, consisting of a minimum of 100 words plus one discussion question, is worth 5 points. Minimum of five per semester. . Maximum of four per week for credit.

 

Discussion Leader: Earn 30 points by leading a class discussion of an assigned poem or one that you provide. Sign up in canvas, submit three questions the day before and use them to guide a 10-15 minute discussion. Minimum of one. Maximum of seven.

 

Memorize and recite a poem: Earn 30 points by memorizing a poem (minimum length ten lines), reciting it for the class, and responding to questions. Minimum of one. Maximum of four.

 

Graded Learning Opportunities (points depend on performance):

 

Introduce a poet to the class: Provide a brief biography, a sample of poems, and a statement on why you find the poet’s work valuable. Maximum of four. Earn up to 50 points each.

 

Review of a Poetry Reading: Earn up to 50 points for a 500-750 word review of a poetry reading. Minimum of one and maximum of three per semester.

 

Short Papers: Earn up to 200 points by writing a 1000-1500-word paper about a single poem. Maximum of three. Minimum of one.

 

Research Paper: Earn up to 400 points for a 2500-3000 word research paper on a poet, school of poetry, historical period, or other poetic topic. Minimum of five scholarly sources. Maximum of one. 300 possible points.

 

Creative portfolio: Earn up to 200 points for compiling a portfolio of your poems, with an introductory essay reflecting on your craft. Maximum of one.

 

Create your own opportunity: Have an idea for learning about poetry not already on the list? Pitch it to me and we will work out the points.

 

CIVILITY: It is impossible to discuss literature without addressing controversial topics that arouse strong emotions. In order for us to have meaningful discussions, we need to treat each other with respect, listen attentively, and exchange ideas, not insults. I expect students to question my opinions and be willing to question their own.

 

COMMUNICATION: The quickest way to get in touch with me is to send me a message through canvas. Keep up with announcements and messages on canvas for important updates.

 

ATTENDANCE: Faithful attendance is vital to your success in this course. You should plan to attend every class meeting. However, since emergencies plague even the most diligent, students are permitted to miss three classes without penalty, no questions asked or excuses required. Each subsequent absence will cost you ten points, regardless of the reason for your absence. Arriving late or leaving early will be counted as an absence. If you do miss a class, check the course announcement in oncourse for last minute schedule changes, assignments, etc. In the event of a snow emergency, check oncourse for notice of cancellation and any changes in the schedule.

 

REQUIRED NOTICES: There are a number of campus-wide policies governing the conduct of courses at IUPUI. Here are the most important ones. More details can be found in a left-hand tab on canvas.

 

A WARNING ABOUT PLAGIARISM: According to the Indiana University Bulletin: “Plagiarism is the offering of the work of someone else as one’s own. Honesty requires that any ideas or materials taken from another source for either written or oral use must be fully acknowledged. The language or ideas taken from another may range from isolated sentences or paragraphs to entire articles copied from books, periodicals, speeches or the writings of other students. Any student who fails to give credit for ideas or materials taken from another source is guilty of plagiarism.” For further information on plagiarism, refer to the IU Code of Student Ethics.

 

Students may not submit the same paper for more than one course. Consult with me if you plan to write a paper for this course that is similar in topic or scope to another paper submitted for academic credit.

 

Disabilities: Students needing accommodations because of a disability will need to register with Adaptive Educational Services (AES) and complete the appropriate forms issued by AES before accommodations will be given.  The AES office is located in Taylor Hall, UC 100.  You can also reach the office by calling 274-3241.  Visit http://aes.iupui.edu/ for more information.

 

Administrative Withdrawal: A basic requirement of this course is that you will participate in all class meetings and conscientiously complete all required course activities and/or assignments. Keep in touch with me if you are unable to attend, participate, or complete an assignment on time. If you miss more than half of the required activities within the first 25% of the course without contacting me, you may be administratively withdrawn from this course. Example: Our course meets twice per week; thus if you miss more than four classes in the first four weeks, you may be withdrawn. Administrative withdrawal may have academic, financial, and financial aid implications. Administrative withdrawal will take place after the full refund period, and if you are administratively withdrawn from the course you will not be eligible for a tuition refund. If you have questions about the administrative withdrawal policy at any point during the semester, please contact me.

 

SCHEDULE

 

NOTE: Rather than break the reading up into little pieces, I expect you to have read the entire selection from the Norton and have found an additional poem to bring to class on Tuesday. We will continue our discussion and consider some of the poems you found on Thursday, so although Thursdays are often not listed on the syllabus, we still have class! Additional readings beyond required texts are available in canvas files.

 

January

12       Introduction to the course

                        Review syllabus and discuss the Learning Plan.

                       

14       What is poetry?

                        Bring in one poem you consider good and another you consider bad.

 

19       Poems of Love and Death

                        Read “Reading, Responding, Writing” (1 – 26).

           

26       Tone

                        Read chapter 1 (27 - 67).

 

February

2          Speaker and Voice

                        Read chapter 2 (68 – 92).

 

9          Situation and Setting

                        Read chapter 3 (93 – 128).

 

16       Language: Ambiguity and Description

                        Chapter 4 (129 – 164).

 

23       Language: Metaphor and Symbol

                        Chapter 4 (165 – 198).

                        Short paper #1 due.

 

March

1          The Sounds of Poetry

                        Chapter 5 (199 – 230).

                       

8          Shaping Poems: Internal Structures

                        Chapter 6 (231 – 254).

 

15       SPRING BREAK – no classes.

 

22       Shaping Poems: External Forms

                        Chapter 7 (255 – 289)

 

29       Putting it All Together: Poems in Context

                        Chapters 8-9 (290 – 338).

 

April

5          Literary Traditions

                        Chapter 11 (382 – 420).

                        Short Paper #2 due.

 

12       The Harlem Renaissance

                        Chapter 12 (423 – 465).

 

19       Evaluating Poetry

                        Chapter 15 (508 – 523).

 

26       LAST WEEK – Student presentations.

           

May 2 Short paper #3 due. Research paper due.