name: Joseph Deters

institution: University of Puget Sound

language: Spanish

status: Full-time, tenure track

project:

title: Introduction to Spanish Poetry

duration: Summer 1998

description: This project is a web based introduction to Spanish poetics. It consists of introductory information regarding verse identification,
syllabification, rhyme, meter etc. and a series of interactive exercises for students in Spanish literature courses. It is designed for students
to practice identifying the various structural and thematic elements of poetry. It allows for students to interact with poetry and respond
to specific questions about the poems. Students will receive immediate feedback to their answers and be shown why the correct responses are
so. The project consists of the following components:

I. Introductory information about poetics.
- Explanation of versification and rhyme. In this first step verse identification, syllabification, and rhyme scheme are all explained.

II. Poetic Texts
- Students are provided with specific poems and asked specific questions about the poems. For example:

What kind of verses does the poem have?
How many syllables do each verse have?
What kind of verses are they?

Before answering these questions, the student can do any of the following:

1. hear the poem read at regular speed
2. hear the poem read verse by verse
3. hear the verses read syllable by syllable
4. hear the poem set to music

After one or all of these options, the student will attempt to answer the specific questions about the poetic text. He/she will get two chances. The answer must be correct to proceed. After two attempts, the answer will be given and the elements that effect the versification or rhyme will be highlighted in the poetic text so that the student can see exactly why the versification or rhyme is what it is.

III. Questions regarding the thematic content of the poem and the overall interpretation of the text will be presented. Links with other web sites regarding a specific poet or poem will be available.


outcome: The project will be on-line and ready for use in my Introduction to Hispanic Literature course to be offered this fall. The importance of this new technology will be emphasized from the onset of the course. Its use will be required not optional. The site will be available on the web to consortium members and other interested parties, and I will demo the site at our fall consortium meeting. Since introductory courses of this type are quite common, and teaching poetics is a thorn in many of our sides, I am hopeful that the site will be of use to a number
of users.

timeline: Currently, we have a very rough prototype of the project. Some initial testing as been conducted. This summer I plan to add between 10-15 poems to the project and also add some exercises dealing with the interpretation of the poems. There is much that needs to be done. I need to record all of the poems and digitize the audio recordings. I will need to gather some musical tracks, scan poetic texts, create and write exercises and questions, and link other suitable web sites to the project. Also, I will have to test all facets of the project and plan precisely how to utilize the technology within the context of the class. Finally, I will send out the web address to all members in the consortium in Spanish and also make available on Flannet. Again, the goal is to be on-line by September 1998.

amount: $3000

breakdown: This project will take the entire summer.