Thank you for taking a look at my class!
(ignore the typo in the title)

Course Description:
Who has the time to read extensive epics, dragging dramas, and never-ending novels? In this class we will be focusing on poems that are concise yet complex. None of our reading material will exceed one page in length. We will start in the seventh century with some Old English poems and work all the way up to the present. While there will be brief lectures about the literary period, historical context, and poetic form, this class is much like a seminar as a majority of time will be dedicated to student-led discussion. Our collaborative poetic analysis will have a focus on how brevity in both form and content creates meaning that longer forms may struggle to convey. This class is meant to be an introduction to those who are new in analyzing and appreciating poems. Current enjoyers of poetry are also encouraged to enroll as they too will learn various new forms. All are welcome regardless of major choice. For the last few weeks of instruction we will use all of our experience of close reading poems towards the more active process of writing poems with a workshopping opportunity and the chance to share our pieces with each other. By the end of the semester, students will be able to meaningfully interpret the formal choices made by poets while considering the literary complexity generated from brevity, make insightful connections between different forms of poetry across literary periods, gain a more complete understanding of the history of the literary form, and know how to write some poetry on their own.

P/NP Grading Breakdown:
50% Participation
15% Bring Your Own Poem
15% Write Your Own Poem
20% Student Choice

There will be no exams along with no required papers!

More than three unexcused absences will result in a non-passing grade, but just email me if anything comes up :)

If the enrollment google form doesn't work/update for whatever reason, shoot me an email expressing your interest and I'll make sure to include you.
Here's the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeDKynBynrUBA9wwX9qZuSs-G4THo_MOjPISZuA34oGb00fYA/viewform?usp=sf_link

This is just to get a headcount as enrollment permission numbers will be provided during the first class session/through email once I receive them.

Please email me if you have any questions!
kalinmsagullo@berkeley.edu