Jessica Jacobs, Hendrix College, ENGL 490: Creative Writing from Research: CNF & Poetry, Spring 2016

Course Schedule: The readings listed for a given date are to be read before that class. Please arrive ready to discuss. Week 1: Introductions

W, 1.20 NO CLASS—PROFESSOR ATTENDING A CONFERENCE Homework: *Read the syllabus and come prepared to discuss it on Monday. *A Brief History of You: your strengths as a writer, your weaknesses as a writer, your

intentions/goals in taking this course, your level of (dis)comfort with reading and writing poetry, anything else you’d like me to know about you, any questions you have for me (Length: at least two pages).

Email to me as a Word document by no later than Thursday, 1/21. Week 2: The Power, Danger, and Potential of the Archive

M, 1.25 In-Class Discussion: Introductions, Syllabus, & Course Schedule Homework: As you read the Carter & Zinn essays, begin imagining what stories you might

like to tell in your writing, what gaps you might explore, what silences you might try to articulate.

W, 1.27 Class with College Archivist Christina M. Thompson **Meet in rotunda of Bailey Library

Readings: Rodney G.S. Carter, "Of Things Said and Unsaid: Power, Archival Silences, and Power in Silence"

Howard Zinn, "Secrecy, Archives, and the Public Record" Week 3: The Power, Danger, and Potential of the Archive M, 2.1 Due: Write-up of 1-3 possible research interests, including any questions you have

for me. The more specific you are, the more specific (and likely helpful) my response will be.

Readings: Cornelius Eady, Brutal Imagination (5-57) New York Times, “Arguments Begin in Susan Smith Trial”

Poems responding to the killing of Tamir Rice & Eric Garner, gun violence Homework: Dig into your personal archives to gather documents significant to you

(possibilities include: birth certificate, transcripts, recipes, prescriptions, awards, ticket stubs, travel itineraries, acceptance or rejection letters, significant email or letter, adoption decree, title of ownership, passport, license, etc.). You will need hard copies (copies! not originals) of at least five of these with you in class on Wednesday, 2.3.

W, 2.3 Due: Hard copies of at least five significant documents & a pair of scissors (and a glue

stick, if you’ve got it) Readings: Christopher Cokinos, “Organized Curiosity” Rebecca Solnit, “The Annihilation of Space and Time” from River of Shadows

Jessica Jacobs, Hendrix College, ENGL 490: Creative Writing from Research: CNF & Poetry, Spring 2016

Th, 2.4 Sarah Manguso (Poetry and writer of fiction and memoir), Lecture on writing & desire

Week 4: The Power, Danger, and Potential of the Archive & Contemplative Meditation

M, 2.8 Due: Poem/prose piece #1 Readings: Nicole Cooley, The Afflicted Girls W, 2.10 Readings: Gabrielle Calvocoressi, “The Last Time I Saw Amelia Earhart” Elizabeth Bradfield, poems from Approaching Ice Maggie Nelson, from The Argonauts Homework: Skim Joan of Arc historic materials, making note of any details or individuals

who catch your attention. W, 2.10 Shoptalk with Bryan Borland & Seth Pennington, poets and co-publishers of Sibling Rivalry Press

Week 5: Archive & Observation

M, 2.15 Due: Poem/prose piece #2 In-class Exercise: Benedictine Contemplation: Joan of Arc W, 2.17 Readings: Tim Bascom, “Picturing the Personal Essay: A Visual Guide” Chris Offutt, “My Dad, the Pornographer” Matthew Ferrence, “Mos Teutonics”

Week 6: Interview & Observation

M, 2.22 Due: Poem/prose piece #3 Reading: John D’Agata, “What Happens There” John D’Agata & Jim Fingal, “What Happened in Vegas” Weston Cutter, “Doubling Down” T, 2.23 John D’Agata (CNF): 2:40 pm, UCA, Thompson Hall 331: Q&A 7:30 pm, UCA, College of Business Auditorium 107: Reading W, 2.24 Readings: Nickole Brown, poems from Fanny Says In-Class: Discussion & writing exercise with Nickole Brown

Week 7: Interview & Observation

M, 2.29 Due: Poem/prose piece #4 Readings: Jeanne Marie Laskas, “The Closet” and “How to Tell a Story” C.D. Wright, from One Big Self T, 3.1 An Evening with Creative Writing Faculty Hope Coulter, Jessica Jacobs, and

Ty Jaeger, 7:30 pm, Reves Recital Hall

Jessica Jacobs, Hendrix College, ENGL 490: Creative Writing from Research: CNF & Poetry, Spring 2016

W, 3.2 Readings: David Foster Wallace, “A Supposedly Fun Thing I’ll Never Do Again” Chelsea Biondilillo, “Necrology”

Week 8: Immersion

M, 3.7 Due: Poem/prose piece #5 James Nestor, Deep W, 3.9 James Nestor, Deep Due: Draft: Proposal for your final portfolio (for Professor) Draft: Set of three poems/flash or longer prose piece for small group workshops

Week 9: Melded Techniques

M, 3.14 In-Class: Skype with James Nestor Small group workshops W, 3.16 Due: Revised: Set of three poems/flash or longer prose piece Revised: Proposal for your final portfolio. Readings: Writing by Kai Carlson-Wee & Anders Carlson-Wee

Week 10: Spring Break!

M, 3.21 NO CLASS—SPRING BREAK W, 3.23 NO CLASS—SPRING BREAK

Week 11

M, 3.28 Readings: TBD W, 3.30 NO CLASS—PROFESSOR ATTENDING A CONFERENCE Due: Writing for workshops 1-3.

Week 12

M, 4.4 Readings: TBD Workshop:

1. 2. 3. Due: Printed comments for each person workshopped. Writing for workshops 4 & 5. W, 4.6 Readings: TBD Workshop:

4. 5. Due: Printed comments for each person workshopped. Writing for workshops 6-8.

Jessica Jacobs, Hendrix College, ENGL 490: Creative Writing from Research: CNF & Poetry, Spring 2016

Week 13

M, 4.11 Readings: TBD Workshop:

6. 7. 8. Due: Printed comments for each person workshopped. Writing for workshops 9 & 10. W, 4.13 Readings: Kevin Young, poems Workshop:

9. 10. Due: Printed comments for each person workshopped. Writing for workshops 11-13. Th, 4.14 Reading by Kevin Young (poetry), 7:30 pm, Reves Recital Hall Th, 4.14-Su, 4.17 Arkansas Literary Festival

Week 14

M, 4.18 Readings: TBD Workshop:

11. 12. 13. Due: Printed comments for each person workshopped. W, 4.20 NO CLASS—INDIVIDUAL MEETINGS

Week 15: Individual Meetings

M, 4.25 NO CLASS—INDIVIDUAL MEETINGS W, 4.27 Small Group Workshops Th, 4.28 Aonian/Hendrix-Murphy Literary Contest Winners’ Reception and Reading, 4:30 pm, Murphy

Seminar Room Week 16: Mutual Appreciation Society

M, 5.2 Due: Final Portfolio Class Reading