Queens College City University of New York ENG 165 MW 1:40-2:55 Klapper 304 WCW, MD Introduction to Poetry Description: This course offers close reading and critical analysis of a wide variety of English and American poetry from various periods. Through both a stylistic and thematic study of verse, students begin to learn how to position a poem in theoretical as well as historical contexts. In addition to canonical poems that form part of the required cultural literacy expected of a college graduate, readings include contemporary works by distinguished guest readers and poems in translation from literary traditions outside the typical American English department s offerings. Students learn how to identify and apply essential literary terms, scan a variety of meter, and recite verse from memory. Texts: Goals: X.J. Kennedy and Dana Gioia, An Introduction to Poetry, 13 th edition Eavan Boland and Mark Strand, eds, The Making of a Poem: A Norton Anthology of Poetic Forms Mary Oliver, A Poetry Handbook *Gather, interpret, and assess information using MLA search and citation in formal research writing Respond to and argue with discipline-specific critical writing in a research paper as well as short paper assignments *Understand figures of speech and apply them to analysis of poetry *Recognize elements of poetry such as stanza, meter, and rhyme scheme *Analyze, in writing, theme and style of both formal and free verse poetry, using evidence from poem as well as from research to support analytical claims *Apply biographical understanding of poet s life to his or her poetry *Improve ability to write analytical academic essays with correct grammar Requirements: Participation Regular attendance, in class-discussion, blog postings, and completion of readings Presentation Group oral presentation on a poet covered in class Events Attendance at two poetry events (readings or lectures), one of which must be on Queens College campus Recitation Reciting from memory a poem of the student s choosing
to the class with a brief qualification on why poem was selected Short Papers Frequent 1-2 page analytical response papers focusing on the assigned readings, using evidence from the poem to support conclusions and reckoning with published critical arguments related to topic. Midterm In class exam (mainly essay format) on application of poetry terms in a literary analysis, identification of form, as well as recognition of poets and their verse Final Paper 5-7 page essay on analysis of poem (at least 5 secondary sources required). Students must acquire, assess, and interpret research according to MLA guidelines. Library instruction is included in the final paper, which will be written in stages under professor s guidance. Grades: Participation 10% Presentation 10% Events 5% Recitation 10% Short Papers 20% Midterm 20% Final Paper 25% Schedule of Classes, Readings, and Formal Assignments Week One: Mon. 8/27 Overview/Reading a Poem, Poetic Modes & Figures of Speech Course Introduction; In Class Reading of Genesis and Notorious BIG s Juicy Wed. 8/29 Paraphrase Assignment Due: An Introduction to Poetry, p. 18, #1 A Poetry Handbook: pp. 1-18 Introduction to Poetry: Section 1 Reading a Poem 5-18 Week Two: Mon. 9/3 Wed. 9/5 Devices of Sound /Figures of Speech No Classes-Labor Day Short Paper #1 Due Introduction to Poetry: Section 6 Figures of Speech 104-118 Introduction to Poetry: Section 8 Sound 144-162 Section 23 Writing about a Poem 502-525
A Poetry Handbook: 19-34 Week Three: The Line/Rhythm and Meter Mon. 9/10 Introduction to Poetry: 163-182 A Poetry Handbook 35-57 Making of a Poem: 159-160 Wed. 9/12 Week Four: Mon. 9/17 Short Paper #2 Due Forms of Poetry/Stanzas No Classes-Rosh Hashanah Wed. 9/19 A Poetry Handbook: 58-66 Introduction to Poetry: Section 10 Closed Forms 183-203 Week Five: Mon. 9/24 Wed. 9/25 Week Six: Mon. 10/1 Wed. 10/3 Free Verse/Open Forms Short Paper #3 Due A Poetry Handbook: 67-75 Introduction to Poetry: Section 11 Open Form 204-225 Making of a Poem: 259-289 No Classes-Yom Kippur Tone, Diction, and Voice/Personal Identity In Class Film A Poetry Handbook: 76-91 Introduction to Poetry: Section 2 Listening to a Voice 19-47 In Class Film Short Paper #4 Due Introduction to Poetry: Section 3 Words 48-71 Introduction to Poetry: Poetry and Personal Identity 14: 261-278 Week Seven: Close Readings Mon. 10/8 No Classes Columbus Day Wed. 10/10 Monday Schedule Close Reading of Hopkins The Windhover and Rich s Living in Sin (Introduction to Poetry: p. 429 and 454) Close Reading of John Donne s Death be not proud and Rita Dove s Daystar (Introduction to Poetry: p. 411 and 413)
Week Eight: Midterm/In Class Exercise Mon. 10/15 Wed. 10/17 Short Paper #5 Due Review for Midterm in class group analysis of poems Midterm Week Nine: Imagery/Verse Forms: The Villanelle and Sonnet Mon. 10/22 Introduction to Poetry: 5 Imagery 84-103 A Poetry Handbook: 92-108 The Making of a Poem: 5-20, Wed. 10/24 The Making of a Poem: 56-72 Week Ten: Critical Approaches to Literature/Verse Forms: Sestina and Pantoum Mon. 10/29 Short Paper #6 Due Introduction to Poetry: 25 Critical Approaches to Literature 548-580 Wed. 10/31 The Making of a Poem: 21-54 Week Eleven: Critical Approaches in Application/Verse Forms: Blank Verse Mon. 11/5 Wed. 11/7 Handout (on blackboard) The Making of a Poem: 101-120 Introduction to Poetry: Section 20, Critical Casebook: 367-389 Library Visit Short Paper #7 Due The Making of a Poem: 73-100 Week Twelve: Critical Approaches (continued)/poetry in Spanish/Translation/Verse Forms: Heroic Couplet, Stanza, and Ghazal Mon. 11/12 Introduction to Poetry: 15 Translation, 279-292 Making of a Poem: 121-135 Wed. 11/14 Short Paper #8 Due Introduction to Poetry: 16 Poetry in Spanish: Literature of Latin America 293-304 In Class Handout Making of a Poem: 136-155 Week Thirteen: Critical Approaches (continued)/myth/verse Forms: The Elegy
Mon. 11/19 Introduction to Poetry: 13 Myth 240-261 Wed. 11/21 Short Paper #9 Due Making of a Poem: 165-206 Week Fourteen: The Pastoral Critical Approaches (continued)/recognizing Excellence/Verse Form: Mon. 11/26 Wed. 11/28 Week Fifteen: Mon. 12/3 Thesis Statement of Final Paper Due Introduction to Poetry: Section 17 305-327 Introduction to Poetry: Section 19: Two Critical Casebooks: 331-366 Short Paper #10 Due Making of a Poem: 207-239 Introduction to Poetry: Section 19 Langston Hughes 348-366 Critical Approaches to Literature (continued)/comparative Analysis/Verse Form: The Ode Rough Outline of Final Paper Due Introduction to Poetry: Section 25 Critical Approaches to Literature 548-580 Wed. 12/5 Making of a Poem: 240-255 Week Sixteen: Mon. 12/10 Wed. 12/12 In Class Reading/Final Paper Due Last Day of Classes Final Paper Due