Fourteenth Set of Questions for EN 190/190 HM

Good evening :)

Today we began our series of in-class presentations with Lukas, Kate, and El Hadj's Prezi on world literacy and Amavi and Sophia's PowerPoint on Sherman Alexie.  Amavi and Sophia even showed us some of Alexie's poems as well as an intriguing scene from his movie Smoke Signals.  There will be more to come--and the presentations will be on the final exam!  (This includes web-only presentations.)

We also reviewed Academic Search Complete, finding a number of sources on poets, categories of poetry, and themes.  We were able to find very literary articles, book reviews, and articles from other disciplines, which nonetheless pertain to theme.

Here are the two poems by Sherman Alexie:

"Good Hair" http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/22091

"Dangerous Astronomy" http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/20629

Let's include the videos we listened to today:
(Erykah Badu) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEXu6UmRPZc

(Common) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LssFolrpiD4

Here are a few more questions for your journal:

-- Use Academic Search Complete to find an article for your paper.  Which article did you find?  Why did you choose it?

-- Look up Sherman Alexie on Academic Search Complete.  Which articles did you find?  Choose one.  Why did you choose it?

-- Use the terminology we've learned this semester to discuss one of Alexie's poems.  How does that help you understand it better?  

--  Which other poem (or short story) would you compare "Good Hair" to?  Why?  Which other poem (or short story) would you compare "Dangerous Astronomy" to?  Why?

-- Compare/contrast Alexie's poems.  Bring in Alexie's short stories or "Defending Walt Whitman," the poem we haven't discussed in class:

http://www.bpj.org/poems/alexie_whitman.html  Which poem or short story do you like best?  Why?

-- Compare "Fans, Friends, Artists" or "Letter to the Law" to a poem you've read this semester.  Why did you choose the other poem that you did?  How does this comparison help you understand the two poems (and poetry) more fully?

-- Here are links to two songs by Erykah Badu and Common.  Compare/contrast them to the artists' poems.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liHbsN0D-Zo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C99iG4HoO1c

-- What surprised you the most about Lukas, Kate, and El Hadj's presentation on literacy?

-- How might literacy (or the lack of it) affect literature?

-- Which factors might affect literacy in a society?

-- Do you think that the US will maintain its high rate of literacy?

Have a great Thanksgiving & Black Friday, and take a little time to write up an evaluation for the class!

Presentations in EN 190/190 HM -- Fall 2013

Here is our schedule so far.

Tuesday, Nov. 26

1.  Kate, Lukas, & El Hadj

2.  Amavi & Sophia

Tuesday, Dec. 3
1.  Juan
2.  Amber
3.  Ambrose, Samir, & Christian
4.  Orlando

Thursday, Dec. 5
1.  Aurora
2.  Danny

Web-only
1.  Mike
2.  Joselin
3.  Aymen
4.  Zdenka
5.  Cristina
6. Fred

7.  Segen
8.  Cassandra

If you don't see your name here, please let me know where you would like to present.

Thanks,

Dr. Szlyk

Thirteenth Set of Questions for EN 190/190 HM

 Good evening all :)

Today was our last day of new material as the presentations begin on Tuesday, Nov. 26 (our next class).  However, I will review database searches with you and perhaps even play some spoken word or slam poetry for you on Tuesday.

Let's start, though, with some links.  The first is the handout on templates, which I went over at the beginning of class.

http://www.bgsu.edu/downloads/enrollment/file108404.pdf

Next is a link to the first part of our study guide:
http://en202.blogspot.com/2013/11/study-guide-for-final-en-190190hm-fall.html

Then here are links to sources that you may find helpful for the upcoming paper.  The first is Denise Levertov's essay on organic form, which I referred to today:

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/learning/essay/237852

The others are articles that Dr. Ingram recommends:
Patrick Carmagian's "Untempered Tongues: Teaching Performance Poetry for Social Justice"
http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ832207.pdf

"I Just Want to Be Heard" by Pellegrino, Zenkov, and Calamito:

http://www.socstrpr.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/MS_06508_no7.pdf

Finally, here is a link to Aafa M. Weaver's bop "Rambling":
http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/22359

The Robert Johnson song is here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUyKnEiv70Y

Evelyn N. Alfred's bop is here:

flashes: a bop for bix b.

he hungered for the notes

playing before he could see the keys

mother bird chewed them for him

while he regurgitated beauty

fingertips savoring the song

without knowing the recipe.

the hungry and the hanged, the damaged and the done
striving along this spinning rock, tumbling past the sun

without knowing the recipe

he learned how to taste the tune

adding brown sugar, nutmeg,

and horn lines

but couldn’t bake an unfamiliar harmony

cooling his heart,  sinking the middle

to what effect?

is a fallen cake ruined?

the hungry and the hanged, the damaged and the done
striving along this spinning rock, tumbling past the sun

is a fallen cake ruined?

forced to flash up the treble

singed in chicago winds.

south side speakeasies

intoxicated his ballads

he hungered for the notes.

the hungry and the hanged, the damaged and the done
striving along this spinning rock, tumbling past the sun

The song excerpt comes from “God Bless Our Dead Marines” by A Silver Mt. Zion

The Bix Biederbecke song that inspired Evelyn's bop is here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UK2PW4di53I

Now, let's finish up with a few questions.

-- Try one of the templates at http://www.bgsu.edu/downloads/enrollment/file108404.pdf, using the theme that you'll be writing about or even one of the sources you are considering using.  What would you write after that?

-- Look for a bop poem online.  How does it compare to and contrast with "Rambling" or "flashes: a bop for bix b."?  Which poetic devices do you notice in the two poems?  What is the effect of the refrain?  do you recognize the song where the refrain is from?

-- Compare and contrast a bop poem with another of the poems we've read so far this semester.  Discuss each poem's use of poetic devices.

-- What might have led Aafa M. Weaver to create a new form of poetry?

-- Which poems are you going to compare and contrast?  Why?

-- Discuss free verse and form.  Which do you prefer?  Why?  How does form make poetry more poetic?  How does free verse make poetry more poetic?

-- Discuss the impact of line breaks, stanza breaks, enjambment, and end-stops in a poem.  This poem may be one we've discussed.  It may be one we've skipped over.

-- What comes to your mind when you think about poetry?  Why?  Why not?

Watch your inboxes for our schedule of presentations!

Dr. Szlyk

Twelfth Set of Questions for EN 190/190 HM

 

Good afternoon :)

I hope that everyone enjoyed Dr. Ingram's talk and performance today.  Here is a link to the DC Poetry Project Website.

http://www.meetup.com/DC-Poetry-Project/events/147865532/

Dr. Ingram (and his co-organizers) hold workshops and performances throughout the year.  The next half and half workshop is this Saturday, and then in December there are a number of service activities such as the NAMI/DC Christmas Party 

http://www.meetup.com/DC-Poetry-Project/events/148801992/

and an open mic at THEARC DC
http://www.meetup.com/DC-Poetry-Project/events/143583652/

Thursday will be our last day of new material as we have many presentations and few days remaining to the semester.  Please read chapters 16 and 17 in our anthology.  The topics will be rhyme and meter and form and type.

In addition, here are some spoken word pieces for you:

This piece from British spoken word artist Suli Breeze is timely:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-eVF_G_p-Y

Have you watched Jefferson Bethke's controversial video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IAhDGYlpqY

Erykah Badu performs "Friends Fans and Artists Must Meet":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEXu6UmRPZc

Here is Kinetic Affect's "Lost and Found":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ec1Lgum_CB4

I'll finish with a little slam poetry.

Here is Rachel McKibben's "Central Park, Mother's Day":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlqQzKBfNFE

Regie Cabico performs "What Kind of Guys Are Attracted to Me":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlqQzKBfNFE

And here are your questions:

-- How did Dr. Ingram's performance shed light on poetry for you?

-- How do his poems use rhyme and meter?

-- If you were to compare one of his poems to someone else's poems that we have read or watched, which poem would you choose?  Why?  What would be the poems' "theme"?

-- How do his poems use form?

-- What does it mean to "metaphorically scream"?  Of the poems we've read or listened to, which metaphorically scream?  Why?  

-- Would you want to read and perform your poetry for your presentation?  Why?  Why not?

-- Would you want to read and perform someone else's poetry for your presentation?  Why?  Why not?

-- What does spoken word add to poetry?  How is it similar?  How is it different?

-- What is it like for you to listen to work by a celebrity like Ms. Badu or Common?  Is this work poetry?  (Here is a piece by Common:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LssFolrpiD4 )  Why?  Why not?

-- What does slam poetry add to your understanding of poetry?  How is it similar?  How is it different?

-- What role does performance play in poetry?  Why?  Why not?

I'm looking forward to seeing and hearing what you have to say!

Eleventh Set of Questions for EN 190/190 HM

 Good evening :)

Just a reminder that Dr. Michael Anthony Ingram will be speaking to our class on Tuesday the 19th on performance poetry for social justice.  He recommended that we read the following article:  http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ832207.pdf

I'd also like you to look over chapter 16 on rhythm and meter.

Ugh.  It took me two seconds to find the video of Prof. Wu's lecture on translating Robert Burns' poem into Chinese:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqZM3UDwq2w

Jessica Marinaccio discusses the first translation of modern Chinese poetry here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_giaEsZzco

Here are a few more questions for you:

-- What does performance add to poetry?

-- Are you familiar with spoken word?  If so, which spoken word artists are you familiar with?  What do you make of this type of poetry?  (Have you been to MC's slam?)

-- Have you written poetry?  If so, which type do you prefer to write?  Why?

-- How can poetry strive for social justice?  Of the poems we've looked at so far, which poems fall into this category?  Why?

-- If you were to write a poem about Rockville or Montgomery College, what would you include in it?  Why?

-- If you were to write a poem about your life, what would you include in it?  Why?

-- If you were to write a poem about an issue that concerns you, what would you include in it?  Why?

-- What do you like about Patrick Camagian's approach to teaching high school literature?  Why?

-- What would you change about his approach to teaching high school literature?  Why?

-- How would you respond to his supervisors' lack of support?  Why?

-- Choose one of the students' poems to discuss.

-- If you were to study the work of a hip hop artist in EN 190, which one would you study?  Why?

-- If you were to study the work of a songwriter/musician in EN 190, which one would you study?  Why?

-- What is the place of popular culture in a class like EN 190?  Why?

-- Argue for or against translation.  Refer to some of the poems (and other works) we've read.

-- Which question would you ask Dr. Ingram?

See you on Tuesday!

Study Guide for Final EN 190/190HM Fall 2013

While I have an odd bit of time, I thought I'd start our list of works that are on the final for EN 190/190HM.  How quickly time is passing!

Graphic Fiction:  excerpt from Maus, "The Cigarette," "Here"

Text Fiction:  Sherman Alexie's "This is What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona" and "The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven"; Kate Chopin's "The Story of an Hour"; James Joyce's "Araby"; Ha Jin's "Saboteur"; Edgar Allan Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado"

[The picture below is of the Poe Museum in Richmond, VA.]

Film: F.W. Murnau's Nosferatu (1922) (the student presentation on vampires is at MyMC, and there may be a question on Werner Herzog's Nosferatu (1979))

Poetry:   We'll start with Walt Whitman's "I Hear America Singing":
http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15752 and "O Captain! My Captain!":   http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15754

Here is Ginsberg's "A Supermarket in California":  http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15306

Hughes' "I, Too, Sing America" is here:  http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/1561, and here is a link to "Harlem":  http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/175884

Let's look at Mary Ellen Solt's "Forsythia":
http://courses.nus.edu.sg/course/elljwp/concrete_files/image002.jpg

We also looked at Williams' "The Red Wheelbarrow":  http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15537  Solt was influenced by Dr. Williams.

This is John Bradley's "On Trying to Teach the Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks":
http://thebluehourmagazine.com/2013/10/17/on-trying-to-teach-the-immortal-life-of-henrietta-lacks-by-john-bradley/

Here is Coleman Barks' translation of Rumi's "What Was Said to the Rose"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sa07vKCwWPA  The text is here:  http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/16372

We've discussed Gwendolyn Brooks' "The Rites for Cousin Vit":

http://apoppiti.qwriting.qc.cuny.edu/2013/03/11/the-rites-for-cousin-vit/
and her "We Real Cool":  http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15433

Emily Dickinson's "I heard a Fly buzz":  http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15393

"Because I could not stop for Death":  http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15395

and "My Life had stood -- a Loaded Gun":
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/237186

Robert Hayden's "Those Winter Sundays" is here:
http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/19217

Charles Bukowski's "my old man" is here:  http://benjaminjacobballard.wordpress.com/bukowski-my-old-man/

Remember Lewis Carroll's "Jabberwocky":

http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15597

See this link for Robert Burns' "Red, Red Rose":
http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/16116

Martin Espada's poem set in Chelsea, MA is here:

http://sanspoetica.wordpress.com/2012/10/15/reflection-latin-night-at-the-pawnshop-by-martin-espada/

We'll also look at some poems in translation.  The first poem from the Chinese Book of Songs is quite ancient:
http://web.cn.edu/kwheeler/chinese_poetry_dead_doe.html

Michael Farman's translation is more recent:
http://www.cipherjournal.com/html/shijing.html

Ugh.  It took me two seconds to find the video of Prof. Wu's lecture on translating Robert Burns' poem into Chinese:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqZM3UDwq2w

Jessica Marinaccio discusses the first translation of modern Chinese poetry here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_giaEsZzco

Dr. Michael Anthony Ingram's presentation on (spoken word) poetry and performance (and politics) will be on the final.  How have our presentations this semester helped you understand literature more fully?  His PowerPoint is at MyMC, and several of the poems he performed to are at this site:

http://www.thecounselingpoet.com/poetry.html

Let's include the videos we listened to today:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEXu6UmRPZc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LssFolrpiD4

And, of course, the link to Kate, Lukas, and El Hadj's Prezi on literacy:
http://prezi.com/davx36myehvl/world-literacy-rates-comparing-cause-and-effect/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy

Watch MyMC for Amavi and Sophia's PowerPoint on Sherman Alexie!

Let's consider these two poems that Amavi and Sophia looked at as well:
http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/22091

http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/20629

All student presentations will be considered for the exam as well.

See the next page for terminology!!

Tenth Set of Questions for EN 190/190HM

 I hope that everyone is enjoying our new classroom!  I certainly am.  :)

Today we went over quite a bit of terminology as well as the assignment sheet for the final paper.  Just a reminder that you will need to bring in two additional sources from our library (stacks or databases) or (if appropriate) Google or our textbook.  These additional sources will help you with your comparison/contrast.  

Thursdsay I will talk about the templates that Juan mentioned, so here they are:

http://www.bgsu.edu/downloads/enrollment/file108404.pdf

I would also like you to read chapter 15 on figurative language as well as the following poems:

Here is the text of the Rumi poem that we listened to:

http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/16372

Do you know this poem by Robert Burns?
http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/16116

Let's come back to this poem by Emily Dickinson:
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/237186

We'll also look at some poems in translation.  The first poem from the Chinese Book of Songs is quite ancient:
http://web.cn.edu/kwheeler/chinese_poetry_dead_doe.html

Michael Farman's translation is more recent:
http://www.cipherjournal.com/html/shijing.html

Here is Arthur Waley's translation of "Drinking Alone By Moonlight," Li Bai's famous poem:
http://public.wsu.edu/~brians/world_civ/worldcivreader/world_civ_reader_1/drink.html

Scroll down to find Sam Hamill's more recent translation:
http://www.marcopolopoet.nl/PoemOP/Li_Po.htm

Finally, here are some of Anne Sexton's poems:
http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15297

http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15300

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/171280

Finally, these are the questions!

-- Which poems would you like to compare/contrast?  Why?  What appears to be their theme?  Which devices are used in these poems?

-- Choose one of the poems in translation.  Which poem (originally written in English) would you pair it with?  Why?

-- Choose a striking metaphor or simile in one of today's poems.  What does it add to the poet's poem?  How does it put the author's topic in a new light?  How is it strained?

-- Do any of these poems seem to be in code?  Choose one, and crack its code.

-- Choose one poem, its poet, and its theme.  Look one or more up at Literature Resource Center.  What do you find?  Look the same things up at Google.  What do you find?

-- What are some of the themes that we have encountered so far this semester?  Which poems fit into these themes?

-- What is the difference between melancholy and regret?

-- What does it mean for Li Bai to drink alone with the moon?

-- What does it mean for one's life to be like a loaded gun?

-- Which topics should be taboo for poets?  Why?

Enjoy!

Dr. Szlyk

Ninth Set of Questions for EN 190/190HM

Good evening :)

For Tuesday, please read ch. 14 on voice, tone, and sound.  Here are a few extra poems for you.

Let's start with Lewis Carroll's "Jabberwocky":

http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15597

"Do Not Go Gentle Into That Dark Night" is Dylan Thomas' villanelle:
http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15377

Elizabeth Bishop's "One Art" is another villanelle:
http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15212

Are you familiar with Gwendolyn Brooks' "We Real Cool":
http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15433

I really do want to get to Coleman Barks' translation of Rumi's "What Was Said to the Rose"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sa07vKCwWPA

Today's extra poems follow.  Emily Dickinson's "Because I could not stop for Death" is here: http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15395

Robert Hayden's "Those Winter Sundays" is here:
http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/19217

Here are a few questions for you:

-- What has it been like for you to listen to poetry as well as to read it?

-- Choose one of our poets whom we've discussed in class--or whom we haven't.  How would you characterize his/her voice?

-- What are the elements of voice?  

-- Compare formal poetry and free verse.  Which do you prefer?  Why?

-- Choose two poems whose theme is death.  How does each develop this theme?  How are the poems similar?  How are they different?

-- Choose two poems whose theme is the poet's relationship with his/her parents.  How does each develop this theme?  How are the poems similar?  How are they different?

-- Choose two poems with another theme.  What is this theme?  Why?

-- "Jabberwocky" is a "nonsense" poem.  How does it hold together as a poem?  Which poem would you pair it with?  Why?

  

-- Some have commented that Dylan Thomas' poetry is more sound than sense.  What do you think?  Why?

-- Compare "We Real Cool" to Gwendolyn Brooks' other poems that we've read.  How is this poem different?  How is it similar?

-- Coleman Barks' reading of "What Was Said To the Rose" is a little different from most.  What do you like about it?  What do you not like?  Why?  What does the music add to his performance?

-- Choose one of the poems we did not discuss in class.  What does it add to your understanding of poetry?  Which other poem would you pair it with?  Why?

-- Choose one of the poems we discussed in class.  What does it add to your understanding of poetry?  Which other poem would you pair it with?  Why?

Have a great weekend, and see you in class on Tuesday!  Feel free to bring water or Gatorade to class.

Eighth Set of Questions for EN 190/190HM

Good afternoon :)  

Today we began our unit on poetry, emphasizing Walt Whitman and William Carlos Williams. Those of you who know Spanish might be interested in Ruben Dario's poem to Whitman:

http://www.poesi.as/rd189002.htm

O for an English translation!

For Thursday, please read chapter 13 on words and images in poetry.  Here are links to the poems we discussed today:

First, we'll start with Williams' "The Red Wheelbarrow":  http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15537

Next is Whitman's "O Captain! My Captain!":   http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15754

Here is Ginsberg's "A Supermarket in California":  http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15306

Hughes' "I, Too, Sing America" is here:  http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15615

These poems carry over from today:

This is John Bradley's "On Trying to Teach the Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks":
http://thebluehourmagazine.com/2013/10/17/on-trying-to-teach-the-immortal-life-of-henrietta-lacks-by-john-bradley/

Here is Coleman Barks' translation of Rumi's "What Was Said to the Rose"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sa07vKCwWPA

The last is Gwendolyn Brooks' "The Rites for Cousin Vit":
http://apoppiti.qwriting.qc.cuny.edu/2013/03/11/the-rites-for-cousin-vit/

Let's look at a few other poems, too:

Emily Dickinson's "I heard a Fly buzz":  http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15393

and "My Life had stood -- a Loaded Gun":
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/237186

Elizabeth Bishop's "One Art" (villanelle)
http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15212

and "Sestina"
http://faculty.washington.edu/rmcnamar/383/bishop.html

We'll end with poems by Jane Hirschfield and Gary Snyder:

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/186177

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/237308

http://www.wenaus.com/poetry/gs-riprap.html

http://www.wenaus.com/poetry/gs-bear.html

And here are a few questions for you:

-- What do these poems add to your understanding of poetry?

-- Gwendolyn Brooks' "The Rites for Cousin Vit" is a sonnet.  Why do you think that she chose to use this form?  How does her sonnet compare to others that you know?  It would be interesting to compare Brooks' Cousin Vit to Shakespeare's Dark Lady:

http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15557

-- Some of these poems are free verse.  Other follow specific forms.  How does form help poet and reader?  How does it hinder them?  How does lack of form help poet and reader?  How does it hinder them?

-- Choose two of this week's poems.  Discuss the poet's diction (or choice of words) in each.  Which do you prefer?  Why?

-- Do you prefer "poetic" language or more everyday language?  Why?  Why not?

-- Do any images appear in more than one poem?  Discuss.  How does each poet depict his/her image?  How is it different from the way that the image is depicted in the other poem(s)?

-- Is poetry inclusive or exclusive?  Why?

-- If you read Spanish, what does Ruben Dario's "To Walt Whitman" add to the other poems about him?  How is Dario's Whitman different from the American poets' image of him?  How is it similar?  Consider that Dario and Whitman's life spans overlapped.

-- What does connotation add to poetry?

-- What does denotation add to poetry?

-- Hirschfeld and Snyder are very much influenced by Asian poetry.  Both, in fact, have translated poems from Japanese and Chinese, respectively.  What do their poems add to the American mix?

-- How do our poems so far represent America?  What seems to be missing?  Why?

See you in class!  I'm looking forward to reading your papers :)