English 312 Syllabus

English 312 is a workshop in the writing of poetry, designed to help students both explore a range of styles and seek a voice or approach to the page that seems personal and comfortable.

COURSE READINGS:

Sarah Fox's Because Why is assigned for the course. She will read in the February installment of the Pump House Reading Series, and we will have a chance to talk with her. Other readings will be photocopied poems and essays, or poems and essays from the internet. These readings are designed to help students see and understand a variety of styles, and to increase students' understandings of poetic art and craft. We'll also watch some good movies, and listen to some cool music.

ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING:

The course is based on a 1000 point system. Here’s the scale:

910-1000 A

880-909 AB

810-879 B

780-809 BC

700-779 C

600-699 D

below 600 F

Poems (450 points):

Students will bring individual poems to class regularly for reading and discussion. These poems will be collected three times during the semester, in two mini-books and a final portfolio.

Response Writings (100 points):

Students will write five short essays or poems in response to course readings.

Formal Essay (150 points):

Students will write one formal essay incorporating poetry and criticism from the course readings.

Artist Statement (100 points):

As an introduction to the final portfolio, students will write an Artist Statement about their poetry.

Service (50 points):

Students will be required to help set up a literary event of some kind during the semester, and talk about it with the class.

Participation (150 points):

Particularly because this class is very small, students will need to be energetic and reliable participants in the course.

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