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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "CW 354"
COURSE NAME: "Creative Writing Workshop: Poetry"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall 2020
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Alex Gregor
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 6:15-7:35 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisite: EN 103 or 105 with grade of C or above
OFFICE HOURS:
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course aims to develop the creative, editorial, and reading habits needed for the production of poems; to develop self-editing skills; to foster an aesthetic sensibility for use in writing poems. Students will read both contemporary and canonical poetry and materials related to analyzing and editing poems, and participate in a traditional creative writing workshop through in-class writing exercises, reading classmates’ poems, and producing their own poems and discussing them in workshop. Students will compile a portfolio of the work they produce during the term. Students completing this workshop course will be familiar with the skills needed to produce poems, to self-edit work in progress, and to discern the characteristics of quality poetry.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
In this workshop, we will cover the basics of creative writing in the genre of poetry. By engaging with model texts from canonical and non-canonical authors from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, we will identify flexible frameworks and constraints to aid in the production of innovative work that is grounded in an original and authentic literary style and voice. Our work will begin with idea generation—from keeping a journal of dreams, sketches and fragments, to developing an ongoing list of influences and inspirations—and continue with a scaffolded approach to the writing process—from brainstorming and drafting, to revising, workshopping and submitting for publication. Aspiring writers should be prepared to conduct formal and informal written studies that will inform their writing. Students will be expected to submit multiple drafts of each major assignment; the final drafts will be included in a writing portfolio.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
1. Produce creative writing in the genre of poetry that:
a. Demonstrates their understanding of the creative writing process, from idea generation and drafting to revision and submission
b. Showcases their ability to develop an original and authentic literary style and voice
c. Exhibits their aptitude in written communication skills, specifically as they pertain to these genres & literary criticism
d. Shows their capacity to effectively incorporate literary devices into their work, as well as develop characters, settings, themes, etc.
2. Engage with and respond to creative writing in the genre of poetry in ways that:
a. Demonstrates their understanding of a particular author's approach to the creative writing process, from idea generation and drafting to revision and submission
b. Showcases their ability to identify and analyze the originality and authenticity of an author's style and voice
c. Exhibits their aptitude for reading and processing writing composed in these genres & literary criticism
d. Shows their capacity to locate and interpret literary devices used by authors, as well as the development of characters, settings, themes, etc.
3. Participate in a writing community—on the class level (workshop), local level (university & Rome) & global level (emerging & published authors, current influences, potential mentors, prospective publishers)—that produces, reviews and discusses poetry in ways that:
a. Demonstrates their understanding of the creative writing process, from idea generation and drafting to revision and submission, as it specifically relates to others (reviewers, editors, readers, etc.)
b. Showcases their ability to identify, analyze, and promote work that utilizes an original and authentic style and voice
c. Exhibits their aptitude and encouragement for reading and processing creative writing composed in these genres
d. Shows their capacity and encouragement for locating and unpacking literary devices used by authors in their work, as well as their development of characters, settings, themes, etc.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| An Open Life: Joseph Campbell in conversation with Michael Toms | Michael Toms | Harper Collins | 9780060972950 | | Available in the library and the Almost Corner Bookshop
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments |
| Ashagalomancy | Abraham Smith | Action Books | 9780989804882 | | Available in the library and the Almost Corner Bookshop |
| Howl and Other Poems | Allen Ginsberg | City Lights Publishers | 978-0872860179 | | Available in the library and the Almost Corner Bookshop |
| Leaves of Grass and Other Writings | Walt Whitman | Norton Critical Editions | 978-0393974966 | | Available in the library and the Almost Corner Bookshop |
| Complete Poems | Stephen Crane | Library of America | 978-1598530933 | | Available in the library and the Almost Corner Bookshop |
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Portfolio | The Single Poetic Image (15%), The Litany or Enumeration (15%), The Narrative (15%), The Series (15%), Studies (10%) | 70 |
| Participation | Workshop (10%), Discussion (10%) | 20 |
| Final | TBA | 10 |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Students are required to attend all scheduled class meetings. Students are allowed 4 absences during the term (excused or unexcused). Each additional absence beyond the four allowed will result in the reduction in the final grade for the course by 5%. Students arriving to class after attendance has been taken will be counted as late. Two late arrivals will count as an absence. As a common courtesy, students are asked to notify the instructor before the scheduled class time to communicate your tardiness or absence. Please refer to the JCU catalog for the attendance and absence policies.
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ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic
dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred.
In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment,
may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of
academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student
who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from
the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation
to the President, who will make the final decision.
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STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap.
Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning
of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
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SCHEDULE
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Note on changes: The course schedule is subject to change. Changes will be communicated orally in class and/or in writing via email or Moodle.
Note on readings: The readings listed in the schedule correspond to the texts listed in the section, "Course Materials." While these books will serve as the foundation for our course, we will engage with additional texts from a wide range of international authors and artists, based on student interest and whatever direction our course will take.
Note on assignments: All information related to assignments can be found on Moodle. To avoid any confusion, all assignment requirements, instructions, rubrics, etc. will be posted directly to the Assignment Submission Form (labeled as such) in the corresponding week block.
| Week |
Class |
Written Assignment |
Reading |
| 1 |
Unit 1: The Single Poetic Image
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Written Plan for the Semester
Written Study: Your Writing Process
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J. Campbell
S. Crane
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| 2 |
Workshop: The Single Poetic Image |
The Single Poetic Image (3-5 pp) |
Peer Writing
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| 3 |
Workshop: The Single Poetic Image |
Written Study: TBA |
Peer Writing |
| 4 |
Unit 2: The Litany or Enumeration |
Final Draft of The Single Poetic Image Due |
W. Whitman |
| 5 |
Workshop: The Litany or Enumeration |
The Litany or Enumeration (5-7 pp) |
Peer Writing |
| 6 |
Workshop: The Litany or Enumeration |
Written Study:TBA |
Peer Writing |
| 7 |
Unit 3: The Narrative |
Final Draft of The Litany or Enumeration Due |
A. Ginsberg |
| 8 |
Workshop: The Narrative |
The Narrative (3-5 pp) |
Peer Writing |
| 9 |
Workshop: The Narrative |
Written Study: TBA |
Peer Writing |
| 10 |
Unit 4: The Series |
Final Draft of the Narrative Due |
A. Smith |
| 11 |
Workshop: The Series |
The Series (7-10 pp) |
Peer Writing |
| 12 |
Workshop: The Series |
Final Draft of the Series Due
Written Study: TBA |
Peer Writing |
13 |
Portfolio Workshop & Publishing |
Final Draft of The Series Due |
TBA |
14 |
Portfolio Workshop & Publishing |
Where to Submit List, Cover Letter & Bio |
TBA |
| 15 |
Final |
TBA |
TBA |
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