English 143B

Other Readings and Media

Book List: Howe, S.: The Europe of Trusts; Palmer, M.: At Passages; Algarin, M., ed.: Aloud: Voices from the Nuyorican Poets Caf�; Bishop, E.: The Complete Poems, 1927-1979; Lorde, A.: The Marvelous Arithmetics of Distance; Ginsberg, A.: Howl; Mullen, H.: Sleeping with the Dictionary; Harper, M.: Dear John, Dear Coltrane; Hejinian, L.: Happily; Xerox packet/handouts

Description

The advanced workshop in poetry will give students the opportunity to learn about their own capabilities as writers. We will stress poetry as an art of composition in language that differs from other uses of language (journal writing, letter writing, conversation, expository writing, etc.). We will try to engage and clarify elements of the art such as the word, line, field, rhythm, movement, the space of the page, �the voice,� language as unlooked-for capacity, etc. Each student will work towards the creation of a substantial portfolio of poetry by the end of the semester. On the assumption that this goal is best achieved through an immersion in poetry, this course will also ask students to read a syllabus of books of poetry, to write short focused assessments of these books, and to discuss their reading with other participants. Some attention will be given to hybrid forms such as visual poetry, the prose poem, etc. We will try to build a flexible vocabulary for discussing poetry in detail. Meetings in the workshop will be supplemented by individual conferences with the instructor.