Daily Schedule

COURSE SCHEDULE

This is a tentative schedule of events for this course throughout the semester.  As anyone who has been in creative writing workshops will tell you, things rarely go exactly as scheduled.  So view this schedule as a rough guide; I’ll always announce any changes plenty of time in advance.    

Week 1 (Monday, January 7): Introductions.  Discuss basic terminology and some warm up poems.  Assignment: start working on your first poem and read "The Good Thief" by Marie Howe.

Week 2 (Monday, January 14): Copies of Poem #1 due in class; bring enough for everyone. On your own, read through students’ poems and write some constructive suggestions on the poems.  In class, we'll discuss "The Good Thief" (Journal #1 due as well) and do a short exercise on metaphorical context.  Time permitting, we'll also do a quick activity on pop culture references in poetry.

Week 3 (Monday, January 21): Martin Luther King Jr. Day.  No class!

Week 4 (Monday, January 28): Workshop Poem #1 in class.  Distribute copies of Poem #2.  On your own, read "Lovely Asunder" by Danielle Deulen.

Week 5 (Monday, February 4): Discuss "Lovely Asunder."  Journal #2 due.  Begin workshopping Poem #2.

Week 6 (Monday, February 11): Finish workshopping Poem #2.  In-class writing exercise which will be Poem #3.  On your own, start reading "Velocities" by Stephen Dobyns. 

Week 7 (Monday, February 18): Distribute copies of Poem #3.  This time, we'll workshop them cold, giving off-the-cuff responses without a chance to prepare.  In-class lecture on scansion and prep for your midterm take-home exam.  Discuss "Velocities" by Stephen Dobyns

Week 8 (Monday, February 25):  Finish discussing "Velocities" by Stephen Dobyns, if necessary.  Journal #3 AND THE MIDTERM due in class.  Catch up on any leftover poems that need workshopping.  On your own, work on Poem #4 and read "Lucifer at Starlite" by Kim Addonizio.

(Monday, March 4):  Spring Break!  No class!

Week 9 (Monday, March 11):  Distribute copies of Poem #4.  Discuss "Lucifer at Starlite" (Journal #4 due). Small group workshops for Poem #4.  In-class writing exercise that can be used for Poem #5.  On your own, read "Maybe the Saddest Thing" by Marcus Wicker.
 
Week 10 (Monday, March 18): Discuss "Maybe the Saddest Thing."   START INDIVIDUAL PRESENTATIONS.  Distribute copies of Poem #5. Journal over "Maybe the Saddest Thing" is due.

Week 11 (Monday, March 25): FINISH INDIVIDUAL PRESENTATIONS, if necessary.  Start workshopping Poem #5.  Distribute copies of Poem #6.

Week 12 (Monday, April 1): Finish workshopping Poem #5, if necessary. Discuss "Stag's Leap" by Sharon Olds.  There's no journal required for this one but I'll allow you to do one for extra credit.  Sign up for conferences.  Workshop Poem #6, time permitting (we might do these in small groups).

Week 13 (Monday, April 8): Conferences instead of class.

Week 14 (Monday, April 15): Distribute copies of Poem #7. Workshop.

Week 15 (Monday, April 22): Poem #8 due.  This one is optional for workshop so bring copies if you're interested in getting feedback; otherwise, just bring one for me. 

Final Portfolio due IN THE CLASSROOM on Monday, April 29 at 7 PM.