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English 616-001
Advanced Workshop in Poetry: An Exhaltation of Forms

Instr: Taylor, Marilyn
Office: CRT 507; 229-6022
e-mail: mlt@uwm.edu
Office Hours: TBA
Course Information: W; 4:30-7:10pm; CRT 286

Course Description

Course Materials:
Required texts: Assigned poetry anthology (TBA), Miscellaneous handouts

Expectations:
This section of English 616 is structured as a poetry workshop for advanced poets. It will provide you with a hospitable, constructive setting in which to write good new poems, to learn some advanced devices of craft, and to use them with increasing confidence and skill. It will also provide you with an opportunity to introduce published poetry of exceptional quality to your classmates, and, in turn, to be introduced to poets whose work you may not know.

The following are the "givens" which I expect of you:
  1. You are aware that there are prerequisites for this course. I am therefore assuming that you have had experience with writing poetry, that you are familiar with its basic terminology, and that you possess a genuine interest in both product and process.
  2. You are prepared to share your work with the rest of the class, in a workshop setting.
  3. You will contribute constructively during discussions of your classmates' writing.
  4. You see the value in reading and discussing the work of established poets, and will keep up with all reading assignments.
  5. You will turn in your assignments on time.
  6. You will attend class regularly.

Class Format:
The majority of class time will be spent workshopping poems written in response to the weekly assignments. However, 20 to 60 minutes each week will be set aside for the following:

  1. Discussion of the assigned reading
  2. An occasional videotape
  3. A five-to-ten minute student presentation on a contemporary poet

Assignments:
Your assignments will consist of the following:

  1. Writing assignments: approximately one poem per week, with occasional respites. All poems must be typed, and copies must be provided for each member of the class.
  2. Reading assignments-- usually a chapter from your text, several assigned poems from your anthology, or a handout or two.
  3. Poetry presentation. One informal, five-to-ten-minute oral presentation on the contemporary poet of your choice. No written version of this will be necessary, although handouts for the class are strongly encouraged.
  4. Poetry readings. You will be expected to attend at least TWO of the many poetry readings and other poetry-related events that are offered on campus and in the community.

Final Manuscript:
You will be expected to turn in a poetry manuscript of at the end of the semester. The manuscript will consist of the following:

  1. Ten (10) poems, carefully revised, chosen from the eleven you will write during the semester. Each revised poem must be clipped to its original version.
  2. Two (2) typed, thoughtfully written reviews of the two poetry events you attended, 500-750 words in length apiece.