Course Objectives and Requirements

Required Text: Perrine’s Sound and Sense: An Introduction to Poetry

by Thomas Arp and Greg Johnson

Objectives: The student will:

a. enjoy and/or appreciate reading poetry as well as reasoning, talking, and writing about it.

b. explore a variety of poets and types of poetry.

c. recognize various techniques available to poets to accomplish particular ends and use the terminology related to those techniques.

d. apply an analytical approach in exploring a poem on her/his own, without class help.

e. appraise the worth of a certain poem, depending on its purpose.

f. understand how widening one’s perspectives can enable one to enjoy poetry that otherwise might seem foreign or unintelligible.

Course requirements:

There are five grades that determine your final grade in the course. These grades are:

1. Quizzes – These can be in-class or take-home. They will sometimes be announced and sometimes unannounced. These could also include a reaction to a poetry reading. (This category is flexible.)

2. Midterm – This will include terms covered to that point in the quarter and will also explore how well you can apply those to poems.

3. Final – This will be like the midterm and include the material covered from the midterm to the final. It can also include inclusive questions that allow you to demonstrate your growth in reading poetry over the quarter.

4. Paper – Will focus on one poem. [2+ word-processed pages]

5. Group Project – Will focus on one poet.

A student must complete the midterm, final, paper and project to receive credit for the course.

Course objectives and requirements, continued

Attendance and assignments policy:

Class attendance will be considered in establishing a student’s final grade.

0-3 absences A

4-6 absences B

7-9 absences C

11-12 absences D

13 absences Drop the course

Attendance will be taken every day. More than 10 minutes late will be counted as an absence. Your absence is not fair to the students who attend regularly and contribute to the discussion.

Note: Quizzes and tests can not be made up except in cases of emergency. If such a situation exists, call my office (425-564-3169) or send an email (lbennett@bcc.ctc.edu) on the day of the quiz or test and make arrangements for a make-up. If I receive no phone call or email, the student can not make up the work.

For the Poem Analysis paper, save all drafting material. If questions arise about improper use of sources, I will ask to see drafting material. Once you have received your final grade, you can recycle this material as you choose.

Additional information for the syllabus can be found on the Website for the Arts and Humanities Division: http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/ArtsHum/studentinfo.html. This is titled “Student Procedures and Expectations” under the “Student Info” button.

If you require accommodation based on a documented disability, have emergency medical information to share, or need special arrangements in case of emergency evacuation, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible.

If you would like to inquire about becoming a DSS student you may call 564-2498 or go in person to the DSS (Disability Support Services) reception area in the Student Services Building.

And please remember to TURN YOUR CELL PHONE OFF when you come to class.