Giardino Intro. to Poetry Spring 2011, 1
ELIT 11 (section 62Z)
Introduction to Poetry
De Anza College
Fall Quarter 2013
Introduction to Poetry
by Billy Collins
I ask them to take a poem and hold it up to the light like a color slide
or press an ear against its hive.
I say drop a mouse into a poem and watch him probe his way out,
or walk inside the poem's room and feel the walls for a light switch.
I want them to waterski across the surface of a poem waving at the author's name on the
shore.
But all they want to do is tie the poem to a chair with rope and torture a confession out of it.
They begin beating it with a hose to find out what it really means.
This is an online course, meeting 100% via Catalyst.
Instructor:
Office:
Office hours:
E-mail:
Telephone:
Alex Giardino
F41d
Mondays 2:00–3:00 pm online, and by appointment
[email protected]
408-864-8613 (messages only)
IMPORTANT ADMINISTRATIVE STUFF
1. Course advisory: you must have passed EWRT1A or ESL 5.
2. You are required to have regular, reliable access to the Internet to complete this course.
3. You are required to complete the course orientation for online learning and to seek
assistance with De Anza’s Distance Learning Office if you need support in using the
Catalyst system.
COURSE OVERVIEW
REQUIRED TEXTS
1. The Wadsworth Anthology of Poetry, ed. J. Parini (available at the De Anza
Bookstore)
COURSE GOALS and OBJECTIVES
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Our primary GOAL is to induct you into the love of poetry.
Our OBJECTIVES are: (A) examine the nature and variety of poetic texts and styles; (B)
compare culturally diverse voices and perspectives; (C) explore poems through reading,
analysis, and performance; (D) apply the standard critical discourse for poetry; (E)
analyze poems from multiple critical perspectives; and (F) examine the contribution of
poetry to human culture and consciousness.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
You are responsible for all readings and assignments listed on the syllabus.
You are responsible for spending at least four hours per week on our course Catalyst page.
During those hours, you will be expected to do any of the following, as indicated for the week:
1. read instructor lecture notes and materials as posted
2. watch videos related to course materials as posted
3. listen to audio recordings related to course materials as posted
4. complete all posted assignments due that week by the deadline
ALWAYS, ALWAYS SAVE A COPY OF YOUR POSTED WORK IN A WORD FILE ON
YOUR COMPUTER. IF YOU HAVE TROUBLE WITH CATALYST, YOU ARE REQUIRED
TO EMAIL YOUR WORK TO THE INSTRUCTOR BY THE OFFICIAL DEADLINE.
You are also responsible for spending at least four hours per week completing the assigned
reading and taking notes on the materials so that you can successfully complete the work for this
course.
ONLINE CLASS ATTENDANCE POLICY
On Mondays, the instructor will check on your previous week’s “Activity Report” status in
Catalyst. If you are not reading the lectures, watching videos, and participating in all the weekly
course activities, your activity report will show that, and the instructor will contact you about
your performance in class. If you do not fully participate in all the course activities for more than
one week, you will be dropped from the course, unless you can provide the instructor will an
acceptable excuse because your lack of participation is similar to a classroom absence.
WEEKLY ROUTINE
Every week, the instructor posts the weekly assignments and materials on the Catalyst page on
Monday at 3 pm. Students are responsible for doing all coursework for the week by the following
Sunday at 11:55 pm. In Week 1, for example, the assignments are posted on Monday, September
23, at 3 pm, and you are to complete everything for Week 1 by Sunday, September 29, at 11:55
pm.
GRADE BREAKDOWN
You must complete ALL of the following assignments to pass this course:
1. Two Close Readings (250 points each)
500 pts
(these are essays of 4 pages in length, in which you are expected to carefully read and analyze an
assigned poem; one is due in the 4th week, and one is due during Finals Week)
2. Midterm
250 pts
(taken online for two hours during Week 7, this covers the material read and reviewed in the
course through the 6th week)
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3. Five Posts to Classwide Forum Discussions (10 points each)
50 pts
(you are to make one post and also respond to two classmates’ posts to earn full points)
4. Poet Profile and Emails
200 pts
(this is a more creative assignment, due at the end of the 10th week, in which you will prepare a
visual report on a poet of your choosing; NOTE: you will earn up to 100 points for the profile you
post; you will earn up to another 100 points for drafting 2-3 sentence responses to ALL other
student Poet Profiles which will be emailed to each student—directions to follow in the
assignment)
Total = 1,000 points
Final Grade Scale
A+100-99%
B+ 89-88%
C+ 79-78%
A 98-94%
B 87-84%
C 77-74%
A- 93-90%
B- 83-80%
GRADING POLICY
1. Grades are final.
2. No late assignments accepted (unless you can provide an acceptable form of an excuse).
3. Close Reading Assignments must be typed in 12 pt. double-spaced font, with 1-inch margins
around the edges (basically MLA format).
4. No extra credit is available for this course, so please don’t ask.
5. Failure to turn in any of the assignments will result in failure in the course.
6. You MUST submit all of your assignments to me via our course Catalyst page. No exceptions.
PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING
Plagiarism means copying someone else's work and presenting it as your own, without giving credit
to the person who wrote and thought of the idea. Cheating means using unfair means to fulfill an
assignment, such as having someone else do your work for you. What will happen anytime you
plagiarize or cheat:
1.You will receive an F on the assignment without the option to redo it for a new grade.
2. The instructor will ask to meet with you to discuss issue.
3. Your name will be given to the Dean of Students.
4. If you are caught plagiarizing or cheating more than once, you will be asked to drop the
course.
Giardino Intro. to Poetry Spring 2011, 4
GRADING RUBRIC
A = Excellence in all areas of the assignment.
1. This essay appropriately and adequately addresses the assignment.
2. It is well organized with a powerful thesis, a clear introduction, body, and conclusion; each
paragraph has a topic sentence, three or more supporting points, and a clear transition sentence;
and each paragraph contains a quote from course material.
3. The essay contains developed collegiate vocabulary and sophisticated sentence mechanics (use
of semicolons and colons, for example); there are no fragments or run-ons. It lacks grammatical
slips, such as comma misusage.
4. The essay has a strong, clear voice and is well argued and persuasive.
5. The essay has no spelling errors.
6. It is in proper MLA format, with proper use of quotation and citation style.
7. This is a very original essay with voice and style.
8. Absolutely no plagiarism.
B = Competence in all areas of the assignment.
1. This essay addresses the assignment, but may have missed a relevant point or left part of the
argument undeveloped in one of the paragraphs.
2. It is well organized and has a clear introduction, body, and conclusion, but the thesis may be
weak or unclear. The paragraphs may lack enough supporting evidence or quoted material, but
they all have a topic sentence and transition sentence.
3. The essay contains collegiate vocabulary and sophisticated sentence mechanics, but may
contain a few wrong word choices and word usage errors (affect versus effect, to versus too).
May have one or two fragments or run-ons.
4. The essay has a clear voice but because it is missing some supporting ideas, it is not entirely
persuasive.
5. It contains few or no spelling errors.
6. It is in proper MLA format, with proper use of quotation and citation style.
7. There is an emerging sense of voice and style.
8. Absolutely no plagiarism.
C =Low-level Competence in all areas of the assignment.
1. This essay only partly addresses the assignment, having missed relevant points or left part of
the argument undeveloped.
2. It is roughly organized, but may not have a clear introduction or conclusion, and the thesis may
be weak or unclear. The paragraphs lack enough supporting evidence and quoted material. They
may not all have a topic sentence and transition sentence.
3. The essay contains a static vocabulary and a few wrong word choices and word usage errors
(affect versus effect; to versus too). May have fragments or run-ons. May have several grammar
errors (such as comma usage).
4. The essay has a weak and inconsistent voice. Because it is missing some supporting ideas, it is
not entirely persuasive.
5. No spelling errors.
6. It is in sloppy MLA format, without proper use of quotation and citation style.
7. It lacks its own voice and style.
8. Absolutely no plagiarism.
D = Inadequate Competence in all areas of the assignment.
1. This essay barely addresses the assignment, having missed many relevant points or left part of
the argument undeveloped.
2. It is roughly organized, has no clear introduction and conclusion, and no thesis. The paragraphs
lack supporting evidence and quoted material. They do not have a topic or transition sentence.
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3. The essay contains a static vocabulary and several wrong word choices and word usage errors.
It contains fragments and run-ons, as well as several grammar errors.
4. The essay has a weak and inconsistent voice. It is not at all persuasive.
5. It contains spelling errors.
6. It is in sloppy MLA format, without proper use of quotation and citation style.
7. Absolutely no plagiarism.
UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS RIGHTS
Education is a basic human right. I believe that all people, regardless of their immigration status
have the right to achieve their academic goals. If you have questions about how your immigration
status may affect your academic opportunities, please talk to me. I may be able to help.
Giardino Intro. to Poetry Spring 2011, 6
COURSE SCHEDULE
WEEK 1 -- INTRODUCTION
no later than Sunday, September 29, at 11:55 pm:
1. Familiarize yourself with our Catalyst page
2. Review syllabus, including course goals and expectations
3. Purchase book if you haven’t already
4. Post to Class Forum #1 and respond to two other students’ posts
For Next Week
1. Read "What is Poetry" (Wadsworth, pp. 1-27)
2. Read Wadsworth, Introduction to the EPIC, pp. 31-35
3. Read EPIC poems: Homer pp. 34-46; Milton pp. 53-64; Whitman pp. 83-93
4. Read in Wadsworth, Introduction to the ELEGY, pp. 98-100
5. Read ELEGIES: Gray, Wheatley, Shelley, Whitman, Stevens, Cullen, Plath, Heaney, Dove, and
Rios (all found pp.101-184)
WEEK 2 – THE EPIC and THE ELEGY
By no later than Sunday, October 6, at 11:55 pm:
1. View and engage in all online posted materials related to the EPIC and ELEGY poems
For Next Week
1. Read Wadsworth, Introduction to the ODE, pp. 243-245
2. Read ODES: Pindar, Keats, Neruda, Creeley, Soto, and Salter (found in pp. 245-285)
3. Read Wadsworth, Introduction to the BALLAD, pp. 287-290
4. Read BALLADS: Chaucer, Coleridge, Poe, Harper, Hughes, and Dylan (found in pp. 290-332)
WEEK 3 – THE ODE and THE BALLAD
By no later than Sunday, October 13, at 11:55 pm:
1. View and engage in all online posted materials related to the ODE and BALLAD poems
2. Post to Class Forum #2 and respond to two other students’ posts
3. Read assignment for Close Reading #1
For Next Week
1. Read Wadsworth, Introduction to NARRATIVE, pp. 184–187
2. Read NARRATIVE: Spencer, Browning, Roethke, Bishop, and Soyinka (found in pp. 187-243)
3. Draft and revise Close Reading #1
WEEK 4 – THE NARRATIVE POEM
By no later than Sunday, October 20, at 11:55 pm:
1. View and engage in all online posted materials related to the NARRATIVE poems
2. Post Close Reading #1
For Next Week
1. Read Wadsworth, Introduction to SHORT LYRIC, pp. 373-375
2. Read SHORT LYRICS: Wei, Ralegh, Blake ("Lamb"), Wordsworth ("My heart"), Dickenson
(both), Frost, Bennett, Rich, and Momaday (found in pp. 375-407)
3. Read Wadsworth, Introduction to BLANK VERSE, pp. 407-409
4. Read BLANK VERSE: Stevens, Wilbur, Sexton, and Hongo (found in pp. 409-429)
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WEEK 5 – SHORT LYRIC and BLANK VERSE
By no later than Sunday, October 27, at 11:55 pm:
1. View and engage in all online posted materials related to the SHORT LYRIC and BLANK
VERSE poems
2. Post to Class Forum #3 and respond to two other students’ posts
For Next Week
1. Read Wadsworth, Introduction to SONNET, pp. 460-462
2. Read SONNETS: Shakespeare (all), Donne (all), Browning (all), Rossetti, McKay, Lowell,
Coleman, Jarman, and Alexie (found in pp. 462-500)
WEEK 6 – THE SONNET
By no later than Sunday, November 3, at 11:55 pm:
1. View and engage in all online posted materials related to the SONNET
2. Review materials for midterm
For Next Week
1. Read Wadsworth, Introduction to FREE VERSE, pp. 547-551
2. Read FREE VERSE: Bible (all excerpts), Blake, Williams, Jeffers, Ginsberg, and Rich (found in
pp. 547-589
WEEK 7 – MIDTERM and FREE VERSE
By no later than Sunday, November 10, at 11:55 pm:
1. Take the MIDTERM during the assigned time frame on Catalyst
2. View and engage in all online posted materials related to FREE VERSE
For Next Week
1. Read Wadsworth, Introduction to WAR POETRY, pp. 669-672
2. Read WAR poems: Lao-Tzu, Yeats, Stevens, Auden, Brooks, Levertov, and Hill (found in pp.
669-706)
3. Read Wadsworth, Introduction to POLITICAL POETRY, pp. 707-709
4. Read POLITICAL poems: Ai, Forche, Dove, Brand, and Alexie (found in pp. 709-753)
5. Begin putting together your POET PROFILE presentations (due in Week 10)
WEEK 8 – THEMES of WAR and POLITICS in POETRY
By no later than Sunday, November 17, at 11:55 pm:
1. View and engage in all online posted materials related to the WAR AND POLITICAL POEMS
2. Post to Class Forum #4 and respond to two other students’ posts
For Next Week
1. Read Wadsworth, Introduction to NATURE POETRY, pp.782-786
2. Read NATURE poems: Tzu, Rihaku, Frost, Hughes, Kinnell, Strand, Oliver, Collins, Silko, and
Muldoon (found in pp. 786-820)
3. Continue working on your POET PROFILE
WEEK 9 – NATURE POETRY
Giardino Intro. to Poetry Spring 2011, 8
By no later than Sunday, November 24, at 11:55 pm:
1. View and engage in all online posted materials related to the NATURE POEMS
2. Post to Class Forum #5 (LAST ONE) and respond to two other students’ posts
For Next Week
1. Read and watch all posted materials on NUYORICAN and SLAM POETRY
(note: there is NO further reading assigned in WADSWORTH)
2. Finish your POET PROFILE
WEEK 10 – NUYORICAN and SLAM POETRY
By no later than Sunday, Nov. 24, at 11:55 pm:
1. View and engage in all online posted materials related to the NUYORICAN and SLAM
POEMS
2. Post your POET PROFILE
For Next Week
1. Begin drafting Close Reading #2
2. Look at all other student POET PROFILES and begin emailing students your responses
WEEK 11 – POET PROFILES
By no later than Sunday, December 1, at 11:55 pm:
1. View all other student POET PROFILES and email your feedback to each student
For Next Week
1. Finish Close Readings #2
Week 12 – FINALS WEEK
Close Reading #2 is due by no later than Friday, December 13, at 5 pm.
IT MUST BE UPLOADED TO BOTH TURNITIN.COM AND ALSO VIA OUR CATALYST SITE TO
BE FULLY HANDED IN TO THE INSTRUCTOR.
On this earth, poetry existed before writing and printing. That is why we know that poetry is
like bread, and must be shared by everyone … by all our vast, incredible, extraordinary family
of peoples.
-- Pablo Neruda
De Anza is an equal opportunity institution.