English 222

Introduction to

Poetry

Textbooks

Norton Introduction to Poetry
9th edition, paperback, Oct. 2006

The Miracle of Mindfulness
Thich Nhat Hanh
Beacon Press, Boston, 1987

Catalog Description

Examination of poetic forms including the uses of figurative language and the techniques of rhythm and meter, as well as imagery and structure. Includes traditional and contemporary lyrics.

For websites of interest, go to the Writer's Link.

Fall 2015

Course #3894

3 Credits

Times: TTH 11-12:15pm

Location: South Engineering 118

Instructor: Cindy Nichols
Cindy.Nichols@ndsu.edu

Office: Minard 316F
Office hours: MWF 10:00-10:50 and T 12:30-1:30

You may also schedule an appointment.

 

            Course Objectives

In this course you will gain:

  • habits of feeling and thinking invited by poetry of all kinds;

  • the ability to write and talk meaningfully about poems with teachers, classmates, friends, and family;

  • an "ecological" awareness of the modes of poetry and poetry as a social genre;

  • an introductory understanding of the forms, formal elements, and structure of poems;

  • an introductory aquaintance with the challenges and pleasures of writing poems yourself.

 

 

 

 

    P   O

Major Coursework and Grades    

Grading is based on a simple, cummulative, 100-point scale. The final grade scale looks like this:

90-100 pts. = A
79-89 pts. = B
68-78 pts. = C
57-67 pts. = D

Semester points and credit are earned through the following:    

Comprehensive Exam (15% or 15 pts. possible)

Original Poems (25% or 25 pts. possible)

An important way in which you will better appreciate poetry in this class is to write it yourself. Thus a large component of your semester's output will be trying your hand at various modes or "species" of poems. This is not a creative writing class, however, and you should not feel anxious if you haven't tried poetry before. The emphasis in these assignments will be on effort and willingness—and simply getting a taste of what poets do.

Weekly Work (Misc. Stuff) (35% or 35 pts. possible)

Weekly work will include frequent and varied activities, such as brief exercises and worksheets. Each will usually be worth just a few points, and all criteria will be explained in class. At least one assignment (a collaborative peer presentation) and a short essay will be worth additional points (12 and 15 respectively).

Contemplative Journal (25% or 25 pts. possible)

Throughout the term you will keep a journal of responses to brief "contemplative" prompts and exercises. Contemplative practices are very old and draw on cultural traditions across the globe. They are also quite distinct from, but nicely complement, the analytical and discursive work you will otherwise do in the course. Contemplative practices will help you to sharpen and deepen ways of knowing closely associated with reading and writing poetry.


 

e T R Y

   Course Policies

   Missing Class and Handing in Late Work

   If you miss a class meeting, the first thing you must do is check our online schedule as well as any new or updated materials    in Blackboard    (Power Point Presentations in particular). When you've informed yourself by perusing those documents,    you should next CONTACT    SEVERAL CLASSMATES for full notes. Then, if you have informed questions or need      handouts, you may see or email me at any time. DO    NOT first come to me asking: what did we do? You are responsible for    securing notes and using our web materials to update yourself.  

    Once you've gathered info for a missed class, you can make up any scored item within a week of its original due date. You must include the Late Form, which can be accessed by clicking this link, and in our Bb menu.

If any part of these policies is confusing to you, please inquire in class so that I can clarify things for the whole group.

Failure to heed the above information may result in my sending you to the "YOU ARE A DORK" web page.

Digging Class

A key word in this class is curiosity. One of the WORST things you can do is tell me that SOMETHING BORED YOU. :/ All coursework will require active thinking and engagement. If you are energetically reflecting, imagining, questioning, and struggling when you read course materials or complete course work, you will never be bored. Admissions of boredom are embarassing, because they reveal more about the person claiming to be bored than about the material at hand.

If you do not UNDERSTAND something, do not become frustrated, angry, or defeated. REJOICE! :D You are in exactly the right place to begin learning. When confused or otherwise stumped, ask questions. Be willing to be dumb. Dig. Explore. LOOK THINGS UP. Engage others. Contact your instructor. And, yes, even RE-READ assignments!

Class participation does not simply mean perfect attendance. Becoming more knowledgable about poetry requires critical thinking, dialogue, and practice. This is in part a workshop course, which requires your active input and involvement.

Web-Surfing, Facebooking, Texting, Etc.

None of these activities is permitted in class unless they are linked directly to coursework.

Email Communications

Feel free to email me any (informed) questions or concerns you may have. Always clearly identify yourself and the class/assignments you are referencing.


Department and University Policies

Americans with Disabilities Act: "Any students with disabilities or other special needs, who need specific accomodations in this course, are invited to share these concerns or requests with the instructor as soon as possible."

Deadlines:

Project deadlines include a 1-week grace period. Any projects turned in late but within the 1-week mark will not be subject to any penalty other than late scoring/grading. That is, if you turn you project in late but within the grace period, it will be scored/graded after other student work, and generally at the instructor's convenience. That could take awhile! Please note that it is in your interests to receive your scores as soon as possible, so that you can keep track of your progress in the course. Late turn-ins are not advisable.

No work will be accepted after the last day of finals week under any circumstances.

English Department Attendance Policy: "In compliance with NDSU University Senate Policy, Section 333: Class Attendance and Policy and Procedure, located at <http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/policy/333.htm>, the English Department has established the following attendance policy. All English Department courses require active learning. Students are expected to speak, listen, and contribute. Therefore, prompt, regular attendance is required. Students who miss more than four weeks of class during the standard academic semester (e.g. twelve 50 minute classes, eight 75 minute classes, or their equivalent) will not pass the course. Moreover, each student is accountable for all work missed because of absence, and instructors have no obligation to make special arrangements for missed work."

Academic Dishonesty/Plagiarism: "work submitted for this course must adhere to the Code of Academic Responsibility and Conduct as cited in the Handbook of Student Policies: 'The academic community is operated on the basis of honesty, integrity, and fair play. Occasionally, this trust is violated when cheating occurs, either inadvertently or deliberately. This code will serve as the guideline for cases where cheating, plagiarism, or other academic improprieties have occurred. . . . Faculty members may fail the student for the particular assignment, test, or course involved, or they may recommend that the student drop the course in question, or these penalties may be varied with the gravity of the offense and the circumstances of the particular case' (65).

Academic Honesty Defined: All written and oral presentations must “respect the intellectual rights of others. Statements lifted verbatim from publications must be cited as quotations. Ideas, summaries or paraphrased material, and other information taken from the literature must be properly referenced” (Guidelines for the Presentation of Disquisitions, NDSU Graduate School , 4). In other words, if it is not your work or words, give proper credit to the author.

Code of Student Behavior: "all interactions in this course will be civil and show respect for others.  Student conduct at NDSU is governed by the Code of Student Behavior: http://www.ndsu.edu/fileadmin/studentlife/StudentCode.pdf ."

English Department Policy on Plagiarism: " Instructors in the English department try to distinguish between inadvertent and deliberate plagiarism. Initial instances of inadvertent plagiarism will be pointed out and revision will be expected; deliberate plagiarism may result in zero for an assignment, possible F for the course. Plagiarism isn’t worth it. You all have your own great ideas; why not share them?"

University's Emergency Action Guide: http://www.ndsu.edu/police_safety/safety/Forms/EmergencyActionGuidePosterNew09.pdf . We are told that it's always good to review this info.


English Department Content Goal for this Course

While this course is designed to appeal to, and be appropriate for, students from all majors at NDSU, English majors taking this course will produce work that can meet three departmental outcomes.

  • Outcome 1: English majors will be able to write and speak effectively for a variety of purposes and audiences in a variety of genres and media.

  • Outcome 2: English majors will be able to read (analyze, interpret, critique, evaluate) written and visual texts.

English majors in this class should save all work for possible inclusion in their capstone portfolio.