Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2026 - ENGL 372 D100

Creative Writing I: Poetry (4)

Writing Burnaby Mountain

Class Number: 2606

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 9 – Dec 7, 2026: Tue, Thu, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    30 units; or two 200-division English courses; or formal declaration in the creative writing minor and ENGL 272.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A seminar workshop in the theory and practice of creative writing with specific emphasis on poetry. This course may be repeated for credit when a different topic is taken.

COURSE DETAILS:

Poetry Workshop: Writing Burnaby Mountain

In this course we will read and write poetry with an eye to expanding our understanding of the expressive and intellectual possibilities of the medium while honing our craft as poets. We will explore a variety of approaches and techniques, but our main goal will be finding and working from poetic models that speak to us as writers. To that end, in addition to writing and presenting their own original work in workshop, students will explore and share their reading of other poets and poetry they have found via sources provided by the instructor. As a second goal, we will engage with the place where we are: Burnaby Mountain, Lhuḵw’lhuḵw’áyten, paying attention to our local environment as something with which we, as writers, will engage with all five of our senses.

Here’s the thing—the big secret and spoiler: you can’t really teach the writing of poetry. What you, as a student, can do is read poetry and practice writing poetry—ideally with a group of supportive peers and with some guidance from an experienced writer (your instructor). This is what we will endeavour to do. We will also allow ourselves to approach the world and our lives as processes in need of creative engagement, reflection, and expression. It’s ok to imagine everything and anything as a possible poem. Really.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

To expand the mind.

To learn to work the seam where thinking and feeling entangle in the creative act.

To practice (following William Blake) “the five senses” as “the chief inlets of Soul in this age."

To explore the poem as a means of focussing attention and presence to the world.

Grading

  • Participation 10%
  • Low-stakes poetry exercises and reading reports 15%
  • Four workshop poems 30%
  • Final portfolio 30%
  • Poetry reading attendance and report 15%

NOTES:

Code of conduct. Poetry can be looked at as a balancing of pure liberty (write anything you want) and awareness of and responsibility (the ability to respond) to community, context & consequences. Your freedom of expression is not free if it depends upon or results in another person’s loss of freedom (via being made to feel silenced, excluded, objectified, persecuted, disrespected, etc.). In other words, freedom is relational—no one lives in a vacuum—we are always in some way with, in community and communication with others. No one is free until we are all free. If you have concerns about the content of your writing, and feel like you are addressing or dealing with something personal or provocative, that could require a trigger warning or be upsetting to others, please discuss with me before submitting your writing.

As your instructor, I am committed to fostering an equitable and inclusive classroom environment. In this class, you will be encouraged to be aware of and take responsibility for the biases you may hold, and the lenses through which you perceive the world, and to engage with others’ humanity first and foremost. Sexist, racist, homophobic and transphobic comments, or other harmful comments against any group of people, are not appropriate for our shared classroom space.

Participation is crucial to a successful workshop. I am expecting that everyone will come to class having read the week’s material (whether assigned readings or the workshop poems of your fellow students) and with something to say. The basis of the workshop is respectful and constructive peer feedback: think carefully about your fellow students’ poems, and in class, after a student has presented their poem for workshop, please be ready to offer your polite, respectful and helpful comments.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

All materials will be provided by the instructor.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

IMPORTANT NOTE Re 300 and 400 level courses: 75% of spaces in 300 level English courses, and 100% of spaces in 400 level English courses, are reserved for declared English Major, Minor, Extended Minor, Joint Major, and Honours students only, until open enrollment begins.

For all On-Campus Courses, please note the following:
- To receive credit for the course, students must complete all requirements.
- Tutorials/Seminars WILL be held the first week of classes.
- When choosing your schedule, remember to check "Show lab/tutorial sections" to see all Lecture/Seminar/Tutorial times required.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.