ENGH 564: Form of Poetry

ENGH 564-002: Form of Poetry
(Fall 2019)

04:30 PM to 07:10 PM R

Section Information for Fall 2019

The catalog lists 564 as “Form of Poetry,” referring to the idea of poetic form in general, a huge and hugely important subject that we will certainly discuss throughout the term and in greater and greater complexity as the weeks go by. However, I have taken the liberty here of amending the title to include “Forms,” in order to stress what will be central to our weekly study and practice—that is, the many diverse poetic forms available to us, each with its own conventions and consequences, challenges and delights.

Every week we will explore a specific verse, stanzaic, or modal form (e.g. elegy, ode, urban pastoral...) We will work in and around various meters, in and with rhyme and other musical elements, as well as with the complexities of what we call free verse. In the end, I hope you will feel more confident of your craft, more flexible and alert to formal choices and (among other things) to the powers of repetition and variation, to the frictions and complicities of sentence and line, and to the disequilibrium and stability at and in resolution. This is a required, foundational course and a gateway drug. Expect lots of reading, weekly exercises, a midterm exam, and a final project.

ENGH 564 002 is controlled. Please contact the instructor at jatkins2@gmu.edu for permission to register.

Course Information from the University Catalog

Credits: 3

Students seeking permission must submit typed manuscript of original poetry. Intensive study of and practice in formal elements of poetry through analyzing models and weekly or biweekly writing assignments. Intended for students already writing original poetry. Covers rhyme, meter, rhythm, lineation, stanza pattern, traditional and experimental forms, free verse and open-form composition, lyric, narrative, and dramatic modes. Notes: Other interested students should contact the English Department at (703) 993-1180. May not be repeated for credit.
Recommended Prerequisite: Admission to MFA concentration in poetry; ENGH 494 or equivalent, or permission of instructor.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes.