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This quarter's books
The language of literature is not an approximate language. It is the most precise language that human beings have yet developed. The spaces is allows are not formless vistas of subjectivity, they are new territories of imagination.
--Jeanette Winterson, Art Objects: Essays on Ecstasy and Effrontery
Professor Maya Sonenberg's Office Hours: Mondays 1:00-3:00 (Padelford B-431). If you need to meet at a different time or would like to meet over Zoom, please email me: mayas@uw.edu.
Maya in a lovely park on Queen Anne
If you want to learn more about me or read some of my writing, check out my website Links to an external site..
If you have any questions, please reach out. I check my email pretty obsessively, but am sometimes busy with other obligations and can't answer right away. I will respond within 24 hours during the week and 48 hours over the weekend. Do not leave questions about assignments to the last minute!
The reader for our class this quarter will be Anne Duncan. Anne will be helping me grade your writing assignments and meeting with your small groups during workshop sessions.
BIO: Anne Duncan is a PhD candidate in literature, and a MFA candidate in creative writing. Her research and creative writing both center around poetry, especially poetry which makes use of “found language,” visual forms and book art. She is interested in theories of gender, race, affect, queerness, genre and history. She also has a pet interest in ghost stories and hauntology. Her writing can be found in Permafrost, Cherry Tree, 32 Poems, Bone Bouquet and elsewhere. She can often be found doing some form of fiber art. She would love to talk with you about your writing, and holds regular office hours as posted on her English department profile. Don’t hesitate to stop by and say hello.
Requirements in brief--
3 creative writing assignments, including brainstorms of various kinds, rough drafts & final drafts (see Writing Bingo Overview page for details)
Written peer reviews and 3 in-person workshops (see Peer Review Instructions page for details)
Written reflections/responses to 2 of the readings you do for this quarter. At least 1 must be in response to a book. The other may be in response to a book OR to a reading linked through Canvas.
Readings and Viewings in preparation for each guest’s visit
Written question for each of our visitors
In-person discussions and group writing exercises
Syllabus Annotation
Grading Contract
Books
You may read the required books in any format that works for you: new, used, ebooks, or audio books (although you will need to refer to physical copies in order to write your written reflections), and acquire them from the University Bookstore, any other bookstore, or the library. These books are also on reserve at Odegaard Library.
Required--these books are to be read in time for you to submit your question for that author ahead of their visit to our class. You can find those dates in the Reading & Watching assignments.
Quenton Baker, ballast (read for Jan 16)
Michael Martone, The Blue Guide to Indiana (read for Jan 28)
Johanna Stoberock, Pigs (read for Feb 4)
Elizabeth Cooperman, Woman Pissing (read for Feb 25)
Required readings for our other visitors are available through Canvas, again in the Reading & Watching assignments for each visit day.
Optional
E. J. Koh, The Liberators