ENGH 608: Craft Seminars

ENGH 608-002: Book Beasts
(Spring 2012)

04:30 PM to 07:10 PM R

Innovation Hall 209

Section Information for Spring 2012

This workshop explores the visual/verbal boundary, as well as other edges of what constitutes the poetic. You will create such things as visual and concrete poetry, circular texts, emblems, altered books, constrained texts, simple hand-made books, three-dimensional poem objects, and poem installations. Some projects can only be completed as poems; others can be completed as poems or as short prose. Some may require collaboration with classmates. Class time will include workshop technique, and discussion of the reading, including the history and theory of what we are practicing. In-class writing? Maybe. Reading list typically includes such writers & artists as Guillaume Apollinaire, Christian Bok, Johanna Drucker, Alec Finlay, Ian Hamilton Finlay, Hamish Fulton, Eugen Gomringer, Rheinhold Grimm, Ronald Johnson, Tom Phillips, Cecilia Vinuna, Jill Magi, Jen Bervin, and M. Nourbese Philip. Please note that though you may use your computers and printers to create or print your poems, or components of your poems, this is not a course in computer graphics, hypertext, or other electronic formats for textual art. Some of your projects will be conventional in the sense that they will consist of words printed on paper; others will be handmade and non-reproducible. Those with skills in bookmaking, printing, or visual arts will find good use for them, but such skills are not required. Grades based on original projects, creative projects in response to readings, and prose reflections on creative process and historical context; also on weekly exercises and participation in class discussions and small group collaborations. This course fulfills "other genre" requirement for MFA candidates in all genres, including poetry. And it's really fun. Questions to stichy@gmu.edu.

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Course Information from the University Catalog

Credits: 3

Non-MFA students seeking permission must submit manuscript of original written work in appropriate genre. Various sections offer work in fiction, poetry, and nonfiction, each focusing in different ways on the practices and the craft development of writers. Numerous writing assignments mixed with reading followed by careful analytical and craft discussions. Notes: Assignments vary with genre and specific topic. May be taken concurrently with ENGH 564, 565, 566. Offered by English. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 15 credits.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Recommended Prerequisite: Admission to MFA program or ENGH 494, ENGH 492, ENGH 486, or permission of instructor. Non-MFA students must submit manuscript for review prior to registration.
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: Seminar
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.