English 482/582

Spring 2003

Instructor: Dr. Jack Bedell
Office: 366 D. Vickers
Phone: 549-5756
Email: jbedell@selu.edu


Office Hours:

W 9:00-2:00

COURSE DESCRIPTION/INFORMATION SHEET

Course Goals:

1) To review the form and theory of contemporary poetry
2) To develop writing and editing skills in skilled poets
3) To have students recognize, interpret, and discuss "quality literary poetry," distinguishing it from
doggerel, commercial, or greeting card verse
4) To help students become comfortable presenting and discussing their own work as well as the work
of classmates
5) To familiarize students with the current literary market (publications, submission mechanics,
contemporary writers and theorists, etc.)

TEXT: The Morrow Anthology of Younger American Poets by Bottoms and Smith

ASSIGNMENTS AND FINAL GRADE
 Final Portfolio (10-15 poems)  =500 pts
 Workshop Participation  =150 pts
 Final Exam  =100 pts
 Weekly Reading Diary (2 poems per week)  =150 pts
 Essay Evaluation of peer work  =100 pts (undergraduates only)
 Interpretive Paper (1500 word min.)  =100 pts (graduate students only)
Total points possible   =1000

 

Once the semester begins in earnest, students will be expected to turn in one poem per week (including revisions) for class discussion and editing advice.

English 482/582 is a workshop designed to focus on the development of writers who are already familiar with the form and theory of contemporary poetry. The majority of class time will be spent discussing student work. Due to this fact, the course is heavily weighted towards performance.

Grading Scale:

 95-100=A

 90-91=B+

 80-84=C+

 60-69=D

 92-94=A-

 87-89=B

 75-79=C
 
 

 85-86=B-

 70-74=C-

 0-59=F

ATTENDANCE: Since the majority of knowledge gained in this course will come directly from class discussions and lectures, attendance in this course is of prime importance. Students accumulating more than seven (7) absences of any kind will automatically fail the course. Make-up work will be accepted only for excused absences.

WITHDRAWAL FROM CLASS: Students wishing to do so must withdraw from class by March 21. NOTE: Although students may be dropped by the instructor for excessive absences, it is the responsibility of the student to withdraw in case of imminent failure.

NOTE: Students with documented disabilities should provide information contracts from the Office of Student Life within the first two weeks of class so that they may receive full accommodations.