PELLISSIPPI STATE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE
MASTER SYLLABUS
INTRODUCTION TO POETRY
ENGL 2510
Class Hours:  3.0   Credit Hours:  3.0  
Laboratory Hours:  0.0   Revised:  Spring 05  
       
Catalog Course Description:    
   A study of poetry as a unique genre of literature with an emphasis on the critical tools necessary for reading poetry.
Entry Level Standards:    
   Students must be able to plan and write analytical essays, to conduct research, and to write analytically about literature. Students must demonstrate proficiency in standard English grammar, spelling, and mechanics and in source documentation. In addition, students should be familiar with basic literary terminology and genres.
Prerequisite:    
   ENGL 1020
Textbook(s) and Other Course Materials:  
  Parini, Jay. The Wadsworth Anthology of Poetry, Shorter ed. Boston: Thomson-Wadsworth, 1998.
I. Week/Unit/Topic Basis:    
  Week  Topic
  1 What is Poetry?; How to Read Poetry; Poetic Terms
  2 Figurative Language; Theories of Metaphor
  3 Language and Ambiguity
  4 Interpreting Poetic Form; Rhythm and Meter
  5 Epic Poetry
  6 Narrative Poetry
  7 Lyric Poetry
  8 The Elegy and Ode
  9 Received Forms: The Sonnet
  10 Received Forms: The Sestina and Villanelle
  11 Free Verse
  12 Theme: Love and Longing
  13 Theme: Wars and Rumors of Wars
  14 Theme: First and Last Things
  15 Final Exam
II. Course Objectives*:    
  A. Respond thoughtfully to the expression of enduring human concerns. I.1, 5; II.1, 6 
  B. Examine in depth a literary genre represented throughout history and across cultures. II.1, 2, 3, 5, 6
  C. Explore the unique vision and voice poetry gives to the human experience.  II.1, 2, 4, 6; III.2
  D. Understand poetic techniques and critical approaches to poetry. II.1, 2, 5, 6
  E Strengthen the skills introduced in Freshman Composition through writing, correcting, and revising papers and exams.  I.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7; VII.3, 4, 5, 6
*Roman numerals after course objectives reference TBR's general education goals.
III. Instructional Processes*:     
Students will:      
  1. Collaborate in teams for peer review of drafts to analyze audience and message, to develop and organize ideas, and to evaluate drafts as to effectiveness and clarity.
  Communication Outcome, Humanities and/or Fine Arts Outcome Transitional Strategy, Active Learning Strategy
  2. Listen to guest speakers of varying backgrounds relative to the writing and interpretation of poetry.  Humanities and/or Fine Arts Outcome Transitional Strategy
  3. Read assigned poems and related texts and participate in class discussion. Communication Outcome, Humanities and/or Fine Arts Outcome Transitional Strategy, Active Learning Strategy
  4. Write analytical and researched essays using word processing software. Communication Outcome, Technological Literacy Outcome, Active Learning Strategy
  5. Develop research skills using library sources and the Internet to find pertinent information.  Communication Outcome, Technological Literacy Outcome, Information Literacy Outcome, Active Learning Strategy
  6. Develop oral presentation skills to present individual and group information.  Communication Outcome, Transitional Strategy, Active Learning Strategy 
  7. Internalize the work ethic by regularly attending class, being punctual, being    dependable, cooperating with the teacher and other classmates, contributing to  class discussion and projects, and acting in a professional manner while in class.  Communication Outcome, Transitional Strategy, Active Learning Strategy 
*Strategies and outcomes listed after instructional processes reference TBR’s goals for strengthening general education knowledge and skills, connecting coursework to experiences beyond the classroom, and encouraging students to take active and responsible roles in the educational process.
IV. Expectations for Student Performance*: 

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Recognize poetry as a unique genre. A, B

2. Employ various approaches to understanding poetry. B, C, D

3. Understand poetic terms and techniques. C, D, E

4. Evaluate a poem according to form. C, D, E

5. Understand the difference between received and open forms. C, D

6. Trace the development of poetry from Medieval times to the present. A, B, C

7. Evaluate the historical and political context of a poem. A, B, C

8. Write significant essays in response to poetry. B, C, D, E
*Letters after performance expectations reference the course objectives listed above.
V. Evaluation:


A. Testing Procedures: 

 Sixty percent of the final grade will be based on tests; thirty percent of the final grade will be based on analytical and researched essays; ten percent of the final   grade will be based on quizzes.

B. Laboratory Expectations:  None

C. Field Work:  None

D. Other Evaluation Methods:  None
VI. Policies:


A. Attendance Policy:

 Attendance, promptness, and participation are essential to success in college courses. The general attendance policy of the College states that students must be present for at least 75 percent of scheduled class meetings in order to receive credit for the course; thus, students who miss 25 percent of class meetings will fail the course. Therefore, any student who must miss an excessive number of classes for any reason is advised to withdraw from the College under the "Mitigating Circumstances" provision as described in the PSTCC Catalog.

B. Academic Dishonesty:

Any student found engaging in an act of academic dishonesty will be promptly dismissed from the course with a grade of F.  According to the PSTCC Catalog & Handbook,
    Prohibited activities include but are not limited to the following practices:
•    Cheating, including but not limited to unauthorized assistance from material, people, or devices when taking a test, quiz, or examination; writing papers or reports; solving problems; or completing academic assignments
•    Plagiarism, including but not limited to paraphrasing, summarizing, or directly quoting published or unpublished work of another person, including online or computerized services, without proper documentation of the original source
•    Purchasing or otherwise obtaining prewritten essays, research papers, or materials prepared by another person or agency that sells term papers or other academic materials to be presented as one’s own work
•    Taking an exam for another student
•    Providing others with information and/or answers regarding exams, quizzes, homework or other classroom assignments unless explicitly authorized by the instructor
•    Any of the above occurring within the Web or distance-learning environment.

C. Accommodations for disabilities:

If you need accommodation 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 inform the instructor immediately.  Privately after class or in the instructor's office. 
To request accommodations students must register with Services for Students with Disabilities: Goins 127 or 131, Phone: (865) 539-7153 or (865) 694-6751 Voice/TDD.