Paper #1 assignment: It's Just a Theory

ENG 2513/3733

Paper #1: It’s Just a Theory

Since our class combines two classes and two areas of study, you can choose to do either option for your first paper assignment. Just make it clear in your assignment which one you’re doing, and don’t try to mix and match too much (though there is a little overlap in both assignments).

Option 1 (Lit Studies): Choose one of the poems in American Journal: Fifty Poems for Our Time and explain how it function as a stand-alone ‘theory’ for examining the world from a new perspective and/or critiquing common-sense values. Close-read the poem and explain where you see this and how you think it extends beyond the poem itself. Then, use this theory to ‘read’ another work of art or literature—a film, a book, a show, a painting, etc. In other words, use the ideas of this poem (its metaphors, perspectives, point of view, etc.) to help us read/interpret another work of art. Imagine that you’re putting them side by side, and by reading the poem first, something is illuminated or explicated in the second work of art. Be specific and show us what you reveal by looking at it through this theoretical perspective.

Option 2 (Teaching Lit): Choose 4-5 metaphors from some of the poems in American Journal: Fifty Poems for Our Time and use them to create a teaching activity for middle or high school students that does two things: (a) teaches how to read poetry more effectively, and (b) integrates some creative, hands-on activity that allows the students to do something new with the metaphors. Ideas might include writing their own poems around one or more of the metaphors; creating interpretive art based on the metaphors; writing fairy tales that develop the ‘moral’ or ‘theory’ of the metaphor; or some idea of your own creation. Be specific in how you plan to teach the metaphors (using Culler) and also in how you plan to implement your creative assignment so that someone could literally use it in their classroom (don’t just say, “I would ask them to write their own poem and see what happens,” etc). You should have goals, objectives, and expectations.  

REQUIREMENTS

• Both options must use poems and/or metaphors from American Journal. Please don’t use random poems or metaphors from other works.
• Both options should reference Culler and/or quote passages that help you teach and explicate your ideas.
• Page length is optional; I’m more interested in how you can develop and communicate your ideas.
• Due IN-CLASS on Thursday, September 7^th!