American Poetry - Spring 2005 - Prof. Steve Evans

Course Description

An exploration of possibilities in American poetry and poetics from the mid-19th century to the present.

Required Texts

• Nineteenth-Century American Poetry, ed. Spengemann (Penguin)
• Anthology of Modern American Poetry, ed. Nelson (Oxford)
• Twentieth-Century American Poetics, ed. Gioia et al. (McGraw-Hill)
• Modern American Poetry Website

Required Reading — Click here for online syllabus

You can expect to read approximately seventy-five pages of poetry and critical prose per class meeting.

Evaluation

• Four papers devoted to close analyses of specific poems
• In-class performance of poems (i.e. reading aloud)
• Contribution to "Poet Profiles" Film Project (more about this in class)
• Attendance of poetry readings
• Final project An anthology of fifty pages with a ten to twelve page critical introduction

Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty

Plagiarism—the presentation of someone else's writing and/or thinking as your own—will result in immediate failure of the class and notification of the appropriate University authorities. Other forms of academic dishonesty are, likewise, not tolerated. If you think hard, and think for yourself, you'll be fine.

Attendance and Participation

Attendance of this course is mandatory. If you miss more than two sessions (the equivalent of one week of class time) without a medical excuse, your semester grade will be lowered one full grade. Students missing more than four sessions will not pass the class.

Disability Notice

If you wish to request an accommodation for a disability, please speak with me or with Ann Smith, Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities (Onward Building, 1-2319) as early as possible in the semester.