375A

Course Requirements

Due Mondays: Writing (via email by 5pm to entire class; hardcopy for me)

  • Please hand in 3 poems in the order in which you’d like them to be discussed. We may get to one or all of them, depending on time. 1 of these poems must be something new you wrote, but 2 of these poems can be in-class pieces revised.
  • You will occasionally be assigned poems to hand in to me, and may include these within your workshop packet.

Due Tuesdays: Readings & Reading Responses

  • Select 1 or more assigned pieces and get inside each piece to consider what lessons you learn as a writer. Examine: language, structure, style, voice, pov, imagery, soundscape, form. How does the shape of the poem reflect its meaning? What elements do you admire? What’s necessary to address as a writer? Do not summarize – I’ve already read the piece. Reflections should be substantial, 1-pg single-space, quality over quantity. While your ideas should be clearly formulated and presented, these responses are not expected to be formal or linear – think of them as conversational and exploratory.

Due Sundays by midnight: Blog Posts

  • Each of you will create one post during the term, and contribute one comment per post. 1) Post must include: a) creative reflection in prose about 1 walk you’ve taken on your own time this week, b) accompanied with 1 image, and c) raising 1 idea for discussion about walking / writing. 2) Comment must briefly yet thoughtfully respond to each post. You have between Sundays to contribute comments.More generally, this is an open and informal forum for exchanging ideas and questions and reflections about anything that emerges during the term, or impromptu creative work; consider it an extension of our in-class discussions. Please remember to include your name at the end of every post and comment. Also, feel free to post poems throughout the term if you’d like additional feedback.

Walks:

  • 1 class walk per week (to be scheduled as we go…)
  • 1 individual walk per week (on your own time)
  • You must have a pocket-sized notebook and pen for setting out on walks during the term. (And a regular notebook for in-class writings.)
  • Occasionally you may need to rent snowshoes from MMC: http://middleburymountainclub.blogspot.com/p/gear-hours.html

Workshops

  • Tues #1-4 / Weds # 5-8 / Thurs #9-12
  • Print all peer poems and offer written feedback to give to writer.

Due February 3rd: Final Portfolio

  • At the end of the term you will gather all of your poems and revisions, along with evaluations for each, into a unified project (details TBA). In addition, you will complete a 2-3 pg. self-reflection, tracing your development across the course.

____________________________________

Reminders:

  • Contacting Me: Although the workshop will rely on a substantial amount of independent work, I encourage you to discuss your ideas and writing with me during office hours or by appointment. Please let me know if you have questions, writer’s-block, or other concerns. The workshop depends on the attendance of everyone involved, so please also let me know if you will miss class for any reason.
  • Expect change. I will freely and frequently adapt the syllabus as we proceed throughout the term.
  • Class Rules: Respect. Tolerance. No technology. Experiment. Take risks. Have fun.