Evolving Verses: Example Syllabus
Learning Objectives
By the end of this class, you will:
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Be familiar with ‘obscure’ and ‘new’ forms of ‘poetry,’ including:
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Concrete & Visual Poems
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Prose Poems
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Performance Poems
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Video Poems
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Digital Poems
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Be comfortable providing and receiving feedback on different types of poetry.
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Have a portfolio of poetry you’ve created that includes examples from the above forms.
Deliverables
Weekly poems: Weekly poems: Each week, students will write a poem in the given category. Please avoid explicit or otherwise inappropriate material- feel free to ask us if you’re unsure about a poem or topic. Note that not every student will be able to present during every class- we will make sure to randomize who is receiving group feedback. (Everyone will receive individual feedback from the instructor(s).) If there is a particular poem on which you would like feedback, however, be sure to let us know!
Final Portfolio: On the last day of class, students will submit a final portfolio containing all the poems that were written during the course. At least one poem must be significantly revised. Further instructions to follow.
Timeline
Week 1: Introduction
20 min: Introduction, description of syllabus
20 min: Discussion- what is poetry?
40 min: Discussion on concrete poems
HW: Write a poem that incorporates visual elements
Week 2: The Intersection of Poetry and Art
60 min: Roundtable critique on visual poems
30 min: Discussion on prose poems
HW: Write a prose poem
Week 3: The Intersection of Poetry and Prose
60 min: Roundtable critique on prose poems
30 min: Discussion on performance poems
HW: Create a poem that incorporates auditory elements
Week 4: The Intersection of Poetry and Audition
60 min: Roundtable critique on performance poems
30 min: Discussion on video poems
HW: Create a video poem or add a video to a previously written poem
Week 5: The Intersection of Poetry and Video
60 min: Roundtable critique on video poems
30 min: Discussion on digital poems
HW: Create a digital poem or describe the digital poem you would like to create
Week 6: The Intersection of Poetry and Digital Media
60 min: Roundtable critique on digital poems
30 min: Wrap-up discussion
DUE: Final portfolio submission