These discussions can usually be accessed from the Handouts pages. Students will then be assigned to discussion groups that will be assigned specific topics or poems. The instructor will also comment on these discussions. Because of this participation will be such an important part of the class, it will form a significant part of the class grade. From time to time the instructor will also direct students to further on-line material.
Poetry readings are important because poetry is an oral art that precedes writing.
Therefore, you will be asked to attend two poetry readings outside of class and to write a report comparing them. You may also review on-line poetry sites in the same manner. You will be asked to keep a personal anthology in which you write down poems, songs, or anything else you like that you think is poetic. If you like you may keep your anthology on disk and submit it electronically. Such a personal anthology is, incidentally, one of the assignments Robert Pinsky gives to all his classes.