COURSE ENROLLMENT & REGISTRATION

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REGISTRATION:

1. Contact Instructor to confirm seating availability. (info@sankofaservicesllc.org)
2. Submit $50 NON-REFUNDABLE deposit via the “Shop” page.
3. Complete the Student Registration Form on REGISTRATION PAGE PROVIDED. (BE SURE TO INDICATE WHICH MONTH COHORT YOU ARE ENROLLING IN).
4. Complete the MANDATORY PRIVACY AGREEMENT PROVIDED BELOW.
5. Submit a writing sample to the button below. Uploads are deleted at the end of each cohort. No work is stored or retained. Folder access is limited to the persons in YOUR workshop.
6. Make final payment ($200 less the $50 Deposit), prior to course start date. (FULL PAYMENT MUST BE RECEIVED PRIOR TO ENROLLMENT. CANCELLATIONS MUST BE REQUESTED NO LESS THAN 7 DAYS PRIOR TO COHORT START IN ORDER TO RECEIVE A REFUND MINUS YOUR DEPOSIT. NO REFUNDS FOR NO SHOW. NO REFUNDS DURING THE 14-DAY WINDOW.
7. COMPLETE THE COURSE EXIT SURVEY POST-WORKSHOP

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CRN 202101

POETRY: PROCESS, STRUCTURE, & METAPHOR

COURSE SYLLABUS

Instructor: Al-Tariq Roberson

Email: info@sankofaservicesllc.org

Course: Poetic Precision Writing Workshops.

Modality: This is a virtual/Zoom-Led course.

Pre-Requisites: None

Required Experience: None / All Levels Enrolled

This course is designed to suit the needs of writers of all levels—from novice to experienced and published writers. Primarily the course focuses on writing process examination and development, metaphor development, thematic and imagistic cohesiveness, and development of critical awareness of emerging poetic opportunities and voice. Led by an experienced and credentialed writing coach, the course assists students in finding a creative approach that contributes to experiencing writing as an ongoing and enjoyable process rather than an overwhelming. We offer both group cohort and individual instruction. Courses are taught in four-week blocks on Saturdays at 2pm EST. Sessions usually run two-hours and are recorded, then later posted here. Students must submit a $50 NON-REFUNDABLE deposit within two weeks of the course start date. Final payment is due within three days of the course start date. Students should be prepared to read and share their work out loud and with others. Students should also expect homework assignments each week. There are no required texts for this workshop. Sessions are conducted via Zoom. At the end of four weeks, students will have three fully workshopped poems.

This course focuses heavily on the use of symbology in poetry. We will explore a number of different approaches to developing metaphors including “complication/simplification” methodologies. Moreover, we will spend significant time probing Aristotelian “Available Means of Persuasion” rhetorical theories in application to the development of strong poetic prose that achieves targeted rhetorical objectives. Writers will learn the value of process writing, and will develop their own writing processes in order to spacially support their writing practice. Writers will be taught structured methods of drafting and brainstorming poems, and will accumulate a set of transferrable skills that, in practice, will translate to improved writing ability.

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COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1. To Aid and assist students in the development of stronger metaphor construction skills.
2. To assist students in developing a keener critical eye for poetic device, voice, and thematics.
3. To present students with opportunities to embrace poetic challenges as process elements.
4. To aid students in brainstorming and concept development.
5. To aid students in identifying their specific writing strengths and weaknesses.
6. To aid in the development of student editing and revision processes.
7. To teach students transferable skills and approaches to writing that are applicable across a broad and diverse number of writing genres.

LEARNING APPROACHES:

I. “Complication/Simplification”

II. Metaphor Grounding

III. Supplementary Journaling

IV. Sensory-Focused Scaffolding

V. Abstract Expansion

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STATEMENT OF ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THE DIFFERENTLY-ABLED

Sankofa Services makes every effort to accommodate persons who are Differently-Abled. We are happy to structure alternative approaches to instruction for students who may require such. Please let the instructor know before enrolling so as to facilitate a foundational discussion about the type, nature, and severity of ability differentiation, to ensure proper accommodations are available and quickly implemented to allow continuity of instruction.

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STATEMENT OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Sankofa Services promotes and welcomes diversity of experience and identity. Our mission is to treat each customer with dignity, kindness, compassion, and respect, regardless of race, sexual orientation, religious preference, gender, sex, or any other identifying characteristic. We welcome students from all walks of life and make the promise of ensured safety during our shared instruction sessions. Disrespect and all forms of intolerance are prohibited in spaces hosted by Sankofa Services. If you have particular pronoun preferences, please let us know so that we may honor you in the fullness of your identity.

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COURSE CONDUCT

SANKOFA SERVICES, prides itself on providing SAFE SPACE learning environments for ALL student learners regardless of race, sex, gender, sexuality, religious affiliation, political belief, experience level, or ANY OTHER distinguishing characteristic of individual identity. Absolute no disrespect or intolerance is permitted during our learning sessions. Respect all other learners, observing the ONE open-mic at a time rule. Aim to offer a balance of praise and improvement options as tactfully and delicately as possible, recognizing that we have limited knowledge of one another’s boundaries and life conditions. Please mute your mics when not speaking unless otherwise asked to do so. Please attend sessions with the highest levels of preparedness and participation possible for you. This course REQUIRES that all students participate in discussions and that you each do your best to produce your best work. As there is no “grading” in the course, your grade is your measurable progress and improvement. If you have LEGITIMATE concerns about safety or student conduct during the courses, please contact your instructor as soon as possible.

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COURSE SCHEDULE

WEEK 1: Introduction; History of Rhetoric; Poetic Application; Integrating Sensory Information ; Exploiting Complication; Assignment 1

MODULE 1: This module interrogates the process of metaphor development and provides an overview of the usefulness of classical Aristotelian rhetorical principles as a framework of transferrable poetic skills applicable across generic conventions. Students are provided a structural approach toward brainstorming and strategizing new poems. Moreover, students learn the value of sensory memory and sensory-rooted prose to generating inclusive writing.

WEEK 2: Review of Assignment 1; Workshop of Revisions and Refinement; Structured approaches to Assignment #2; Thematic Development; Metaphor Enhancement; Assignment #2 Begin; Assignment #1 Under Revision

MODULE 2: This module focuses on critical evaluation of student writing and enhanced metaphor development. Students will work towards the revision and completion of two poems on themes of their own choosing . Students will also identify their “Hard Poem” as a target for completion by the end of the course.

WEEK 3: Revision of Assignments #1 & 2; Language Precision/Language Concision; Assignment #3 Begins; Performance Tips & Critique

MODULE 3: This module continues to build critical evaluation skills and prepares for the completion of the student portfolio. In this module we also give attention to performance critique.

WEEK 4: Revision of Assignment #3; Portfolio Clean-Up & Completion.

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CONTACT

PHONE: (919)830-3051 M-F 8-5PM EST

EMAIL: INFO@SANKOFASERVICESLLC.ORG

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