Calendar and Assignments

SES # TOPICS ASSIGNMENTS KEY DATES
1

Welcome / Introduction

Review syllabus

Learn names

Close reading

Start "Why I Write"

Read "Dumpster Diving" by Lars Eighner

Write "Why I Write" (one page) (PDF)

 
2

Essay

Discuss reading

Writing exercise (labels, love/hate)

Start two page expert essay

Read "The Inheritance of Tools" by Scott Russell Sanders

Write expert essay (two pages) (PDF)

"Why I Write" essay due
3

Essay (cont.)

Discuss reading

Writing exercise (found objects)

Prepare for workshops 1 and 2

Continue with expert essay.

 
4

Poetic prose

Workshops 1 and 2

Read and discuss "Boys"  by Rick Moody (This resource may not render correctly in a screen reader.PDF)

Prepare for workshops 3 and 4

Write poetic prose (two pages) (PDF)

Expert essay due
5

Poetic prose (cont.)

Workshops 3 and 4

Read and discuss "Fallen Bird" by Jessica Young (PDF)

Prepare for workshops 5 and 6

Continue with poetic prose

 
6

Prose-Like poetry

Workshop 5 and 6

Read and discuss "The River Merchant's Wife: A Letter"  by Ezra Pound

Read and discuss "AIDS"  by Bob Hicok

Prepare for workshops 7 and 8

Write prose-like poem

Poetic prose due
7

Prose-Like poetry (cont.)

Workshop 7 and 8

Read and discuss "I Know a Man"  by Robert Creeley

Frost updated

Prepare for workshops 9-12

Continue prose-like poem

 
8

Microfiction, OuLiPo

Six word memoirs

Workshops 9-12

Read and discuss Edson microfictions

Read and discuss "An Act of Love" by Selby and "Sunset: Lake Erie"  by Miriam Kotzin

OuLiPo

Write microfiction (PDF) Prose-like poetry due
9

Microfiction, OuLiPo (cont.)

Workshop class' microfiction / OuLiPo

Read "Lost in the Kitchen" by Dave Barry (This resource may not render correctly in a screen reader.PDF) Microfiction due
10

Satire

Read and discuss "Dating Your Mom"  by Ian Frazier

Write a satire essay (PDF)  
11

Contributors' note

Discuss contributors' notes

Write your own contributor notes

Share/workshop

Revision Satire due
12

Goodbye / Closing

Reflect on the term

Hand out anthologies

  Revision due