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CLIT 2075 Modern Poetry: Hong Kong and Beyond
Experiential learning project (25%)
Due date: 17 November 2011 (in class)
Instructions
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This learning project aims to provide you with a chance to translate the knowledge acquired in
this course into non-theoretical modes of expression. You are free to work individually or in
groups of 2 to 4 people. If you work in a group, present a clear indication of the division of labor
within the group.
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There are two options for you in this experiential learning project:
1. You may choose to write an urban poem or a series of poems whose theme or subject
matter should loosely pertain to those introduced in the course. The poem can be in
Chinese or English but it must be prefaced by a written reflection in English of not more
than 1000 words which relate to issues that we have explored in the course. You may
also consider working on the poem in one language AND translating this poem into
another language.
2. You may choose to explore the relationship between poetry and other arts and media by
creating a multi-media or cross-genre poetic text. It could be a poetic film, film with
poetry in it, a photo book with poems, a MTV, a song, a short story about or with poems
in it, and etc. This project must be accompanied by a written reflection in English of not
more than 1000 words which relate to issues that we have explored in the course.
In both cases:
 The reflection piece may include critical references to other poems or readings that
we have studied in the course. Refer to the suggested topics listed on P.2.
Document your sources carefully.
 Give your essay a thoughtful title. Do not simply copy the topics.
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Alternatively, if you prefer not to do this experiential learning project, you may have these two
options:
1. Write a short essay (of about 5 pages) on the module on Hong Kong urban poetry with
proper documentation of references. Discuss with us what to do.
2. Translate a poem from one language into another. Your translation should be
accompanied by a written reflection in English of not more than 1000 words about your
experience of doing this translation. You may talk about the difficulties and challenge of
cultural translation as well as the new discoveries during the process of doing it.
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All students who have opted to do this experiential learning project are required to submit their
proposals on October 27, 2011 during lecture time. In the module on Hong Kong urban poetry
(Week 9-11), while you are doing a lot of close reading of the selected poems, you should explore
your own creative visions through poetry writing or your multi-media/cross-genre project.
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This project is due on November 17, 2011 within the lecture time. All students are required to
showcase their works to the entire class on November 24, 2011. Excellent projects will be
published on the department’s new creative project website which will be launched toward the
end of 2011. For our current projects, you may take a look at those which are archived on the
department’s bilingual writing blog: http://writingcity.blogspot.com/
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Some suggested topics for the experiential learning project. Feel free to combine or integrate
the following issues in your own way:
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The social and the natural
Gender and poetry
Politics and resistance
The poetics of the quotidian
The everyday and the estranged
Poetry and migrancy
The everyday, history, and ethics
Poetry and pop culture
Topography and ethics
Urban topography and nature
Cityscape and social movements
The writing process: self and society
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CLIT2075 Modern Poetry: Hong Kong and Beyond
Experiential Learning Project – proposal form
Due dates:
October 27, 2011 (proposal form)
November 17, 2011 (project)
Your name (for individual project) / Names of group members [with university numbers]:
Intended genre of poetic text and tentative title:
Brief description of your project:
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