Topic Five: Telling Stories (Narrative), First Reading and Outside Visits

In our introductory discussion for this topic, we identified the different ways we receive and create stories in our lives.  We also came up with some essential conditions necessary for a story or narrative to exist or be told.  These were: 1) a shared context, 2) a tone (attitude, mood, volume, etc.), 3) an audience, 4) time, and 5) proximity. 

Reading

Your initial reading for this topic unit is a consideration of "Comics Poetry" (some use the term "Poetry Comics" instead); you've been asked to read and respond to an essay by Alexander Rothman, cartoonist, poet, and editor, which was published in the Comics Bulletin last year. 

The essay is located here.  Your response form is located here.  Your response is due Monday, November 13, at 11:59 PM.

Outside Visit

You will have some options for your outside visit for this unit.  The response form is located here. You will choose ONE out of the following:

1) Miami Book Fair, Destination Comics (panel discussions), November 18 - 19, MDC Wolfson Campus, Downtown Miami.  The schedule is located here.  There are many different panel discussions to choose from--you only need to attend one for this visit requirement; your MDC ID should get you into the fair for free.

2) Poetry, Art and Community: Tuesday, November 14, 7 - 9 PM, Vizcaya: 

"Join us as we celebrate Vizcaya in poetry and art with the FIU Honors College course “Poetry Art Community” designed by Professors Richard Blanco and John William Bailly.  The evening features Blanco and renowned poets Caridad Moro, Carlos Pintado, Nikki Moustaki, and Michael Hettich debuting their original Vizcaya-inspired poems in the Courtyard of the Main House. Their voices will be accompanied by photographs of Vizcaya by FIU students. The enchantment continues with pop-up poetry readings by students throughout the gardens as you stroll under the stars and the crescent moon.  Tickets $5. Light refreshments available for purchase."

The above option will allow you to visit Vizcaya at night, to hear renowned local poets, one of whom read a poem at one of Barack Obama's Inagurations (Richard Blanco), and to mingle with, and see the work of, students from another college in town.

Other assignments will be given to you on Tuesday, November 14.