Syllabus

English 132: Blue Begonia Poets

Spring 2007

Instructor: Dan Peters

dpeters@yvcc.edu

574.6800.3194

Office hour: 930-1030 M-F A208C

Class Website: http://www.writersandideas.blogspot.com/

Other website of interest: http://www.bluebegoniapress.blogspot.com/

Required Texts in order and materials

The Secret Language of Women

Terry Martin

Blue Begonia Press

ISBN: 0911287574

Impulse to Love

Jim Bodeen

Blue Begonia Press

ISBN: 0911287272

Way Out There

By: Michael Daley

Publisher: Aequitas Books

ISBN: 1929355327

Seeking Light in Each Dark Room

ed. Jim Bodeen

Blue Begonia Press

ISBN: 0911287485

One Hundred Steps from Shore

Jenifer Browne Lawrence

Blue Begonia Press

ISBN: 0911287566

Suggested: IBM formatted disk, notebook, 3 ring binder, highlighter pens, blue & black ink pens, email, dictionary.

Required Work

Readings as assigned.

One page of notes the week following a lecture/reading.

An answer to two of the study guide questions—I pick one, you pick one.

4 reading responses, approx. every two weeks. Due dates will vary.

Responses may include

Answering “questions to ask of any poem.”

Letter to the poet, no less than one page

Memorize and recite a poem.

An imitation poem/story based on a theme, style, motif or line(s) from your reading. Must include a paragraph explanation of connection

A redesigned cover, Must include new blurb(s), image(s), fonts etc. using Microsoft publisher or Adobe Pagemaker programs. Must include paragraph(s) explaining your choices.

A broadside based on one of the poems, designed using Microsoft publisher, to be printed on 11x17 paper (either horizontal or vertical). Must include paragraph(s) explaining your choices.

Other options as assigned.

• One group project

Each group will be responsible for one of our visiting poets.

Your responsibilities include:

Contacting the poet one week prior to their lecture/reading with directions to the venue and confirmation of times, format.

Hotel/Dinner reservations, if requested.

Room set up if requested, including chairs/tables, technology etc.

See me about contacting facilities people.

A “cliff notes” study guide for the book we are studying. Email to me, please. Should include:

Summary and Analysis of the text as a whole

Study questions to help the reader better understand the poems.

List of themes, motifs, symbols, styles and examples

Short biography?

A set of questions to ask the poet during their visit to our class. One copy to me prior to the reading.

An introduction to be read before the poet’s public reading.

Operation of video equipment during the reading.

A gift for our guest

Flowers? Food? Book? YVCC memento?

Attendance Policy

If you miss 2 classes for any reason, you will lose one letter grade.

If you miss 4 classes you will lose two letter grades

If you miss 6 classes, you will be withdrawn from the course.

Please, come on time. Turn off the electronics. Lean in.

Requirements for essays and homework

All essays and homework are due on the date assigned.

Late papers will be not be accepted. Use Email if needed.

All assignments must be typed or printed on a computer printer.

Keep a HARD COPY of everything

Grading

All work will be graded on a 0-4 scale.

4= A

3.7= A-

3.3= B+

3.0= B

2.7= B-

2.3= C+

2.0= C

1.7= C-

1.3= D +

1.0= D

.9= F

Course Adaptation: If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, if you have emergency medical information to share, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please talk with me as soon as possible.

Class schedule:

3.26:

First class.

Syllabus.

Introductions.

How to Read a Poem

Powerpoint about the press.

Terry Martin book preview.

4.2:

Terry Martin on “Why Poetry Matters”

Questions.

Break

Public Reading

4.11:

Terry Martin debrief

First reading response due on Terry Martin

Study Questions Due

Jim Bodeen Cliff Notes due.

Bodeen group leads discussion/preview

4.16:

Jim Bodeen lecture on “The Muse, Duende, and the Notebooks”

Questions

Break

Public Reading

4.23

Bodeen debrief

Second reading response due on Bodeen

Study Questions Due

Michael Daley Cliff Notes due.

Michael Daley group leads discussion/preview

4.30:

Michael Daley lecture on “Why I Write”

Questions

Break

Public Reading

5.7

Daley debrief

Third reading response due on Daley

Study Questions Due

Seeking Light Cliff Notes due.

Seeking Light group leads discussion/preview

Field Trip?

5.14

Seeking Light Documentary + lecture

Questions

Break

Public Reading

5.21

Seeking Light debrief

Fourth reading response due on Seeking Light

Study Questions Due

Jenifer Lawerence Cliff Notes due.

Jenifer Lawrence group leads discussion/preview

5.29 Special Tuesday Class

Jenifer Lawrence lecture

Questions

Break

Public Reading

6.4

Jenifer Lawrence debrief

Fifth reading response due on Jenifer Lawrence

Study Questions Due

Picnic?