CRWR 41A: POETRY WRITING
Foothill College Course Outline of Record
| Heading | Value |
|---|---|
| Effective Term: | Summer 2021 |
| Units: | 5 |
| Hours: | 5 lecture per week (60 total per quarter) |
| Advisory: | Demonstrated proficiency in English by placement via multiple measures OR through an equivalent placement process OR completion of ESLL 125 & ESLL 249. |
| Degree & Credit Status: | Degree-Applicable Credit Course |
| Foothill GE: | Area I: Humanities |
| Transferable: | CSU/UC |
| Grade Type: | Letter Grade (Request for Pass/No Pass) |
| Repeatability: | Not Repeatable |
Student Learning Outcomes
- Use the elements of the craft with proficiency in poetry.
- Identify the elements of the craft in masterworks in poetry.
Description
Course Objectives
The student will be able to:
A. demonstrate understanding of the elements of poetry
B. analyze master poets
C. critique student poetry
D. create original poetry, demonstrating elements
E. revise original poetry based on workshop critiques
F. compare and contrast voices, which reflect a diversity of cultural and social milieus
G. compose critical thinking analysis explications demonstrating appropriate academic language
H. complete a portfolio
Course Content
A. Understand basic elements of poetry
1. Figurative language, including metaphor, simile, symbolism, et al.
B. Analysis of master canonical poets
1. Distinguish between traditional and modern use of figurative language
2. Determine how these elements contribute to poet's purpose
3. Evaluate and contrast contemporary standards for publication
C. Critiquing peers in the workshop
1. Analysis of peer writing
2. Critical feedback
3. Mutual sense of purpose
4. Editing and self-editing skills
D. Poetic creativity
1. Compose poems in fixed forms (e.g., haiku, villanelle, imagist)
2. Compose poems in free verse and open, experimental modes
E. Developing a personal voice
1. Revision process related to workshop feedback
2. Revision process related to professor's feedback
F. Analyze published poetry generally outside the traditional canon
1. Poetry of the "other" (e.g., working-class, women, multicultural, LGBT)
2. Identify intended "difference" of significant elements
3. Determine how these elements contribute to the poet's purpose
G. Explications displaying formal, literary analysis
1. Development and delivery of a clear literary analysis thesis
2. Effective use of textual evidence
3. Comparisons among texts
4. Stylistic conventions of poetry analysis
5. Attention to scholarly language
H. Midterm and final portfolio
1. Accumulate and revise drafts
2. Compose a self-evaluation of creative progress
3. Recognize weaknesses and strengths through a written introspection
Lab Content
Not applicable.
Special Facilities and/or Equipment
Method(s) of Evaluation
Participation in workshop discussion
Production of written critiques of student work
Five analytical responses of one to two pages each to assigned published writings
In-class and out of class creative writing exercises
Complete eight to ten poems
Two-page poetry critical-thinking analysis of a master writer
Revision of original work
Portfolio review of at least two pages
Quality of original work
Method(s) of Instruction
Lecture presentations and classroom discussion on the craft of poetry
Cooperative learning exercises, oral presentations
Workshop student poetry assignments as a group
Representative Text(s) and Other Materials
Boisseau, Michelle. Writing Poems. 2011.
Sellers, Heather. The Practice of Creative Writing. 2016.
Wainwright, Jefferey. Poetry: The Basics. 2015.
Although one or more of these texts is older than the suggested "5 years or newer" standard, it remains a seminal text in this area of study.
Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing, and Outside of Class Assignments
A. Read a text of poetry, which includes instruction on craft.
B. Written analysis of published poetry.
C. Composition of original poetry.