Eng 293 Modern Poetry I

ENGLISH 293 -"MODERN POETRY I"- Fall 2002

M 1:30-3:20; W 1:30-2:20
Instructor: Cheryl J. Mares
E-mail address: mares@sbc.edu
Office Hours: MW 3:30-4:30 (and by appt.)

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Objectives Texts Requirements
Schedule Class List Details Links

Objectives

This course focuses on major poets writing in English during the first half of the twentieth century, ranging from William Butler Yeats to Langston Hughes. Besides providing an introduction to the pleasures of reading poetry, the course concentrates on the development of poetic techniques and forms during this time period, the relations between poetry and autobiography, and the ways poetry responds to changing historical and cultural circumstances, in turn helping to shape our sense of modern times.

Requirements

In brief: one 8-10 page paper; brief Yeats written assignment; 1-2 page commentaries on the poems, normally due every other week, to be submitted as a portfolio at term's end; 1-2 student-led sessions; final presentation.

In keeping with College policy, you are expected to attend all of our class sessions. Normally, paper deadlines will be extended and absences excused only in the case of a documented personal, family, or medical emergency. Absences will limit what you can gain from and give to this class. Unexcused absences will lower your final grade in the course. In-class writing, quizzes, and other activities completed in class may not be made up.

You are expected to prepare the readings assigned for each session (including any assigned critical materials) and to take an active role in class discussion. Your participation grade will be based on your ongoing oral participation and your student-led session(s).

You and a partner will be assigned responsibility for leading 30-40 minutes of class discussion for certain sessions. Click here for details.

In addition to a brief writing assignment on Yeats, 1-2 page typed commentaries on the readings are due every other week, and one 8-10 page paper is required. The paper may be longer than specified, but may not be shorter. Click here for details about the commentaries and the paper.

Instead of a final examination, a final presentation, based on your paper for the course, is required. These presentations will be given to the group as a whole and will take place during exam week. Click here for details.

Evaluation

Approximate breakdown of final grade: 5% Yeats assignment; 35% 8-10pp. paper; 25% for portfolio of commentaries (only completed portfolios, not individual commentaries, will be graded); 20% for class participation; 15% final presentation.

Please bear in mind that plagiarism, even when unintentional, is a serious offense and a violation of the honor policy. Any student found guilty of plagiarism will likely fail the course, in addition to whatever penalties are imposed by the student judicial system. If you are not sure what plagiarism is, ask me. Also, please note that you may not resubmit for credit in this course work you have done or are doing for another course, here or elsewhere.