Global Haiku Tradition
EN355 - May 18 - June 12, 2026
Dr. Randy Brooks

https://www.brooksbookshaiku.com/MillikinHaiku/courses/globalJune2026/assignments.html

ONLINE asynchronous:
05/18/2026 – 06/13/2026

ONLINE ZOOM synchronous meetings Mondays and Thursdays:
6:30-7:00pm – 05/18, 05/26, 06/01, 06/08

ALL ASSIGNMENTS are to be submitted by attachments in emails.
(Use your SAVE AS function and choose "Rich Text Format" or "DOC" for digital files.)
No PDF files please & please attach or insert into email.
Send them to: rbrooks@millikin.edu

Handouts are available from MOODLE (PDF files).

HOW LEARNING WILL BE ASSESSED

Assignments & Semester Grading Weight
Informal Reader Response Writing & Haiku Writing (most classes) .......................... 20 points per day
ZOOM meetings ........................................................................................... 20 points / 5 meetings
Contemporary Haiku Reader Response Essay .................................................................. 100 points
Haiku Collection............................................................................................................. 100 points
Haiku Collection Poetics Preface on YOUR Art of Writing Haiku ........................................... 20 points
Submission Ready Haiku ................................................................................................ 20 points
Final Reflection 1 ........................................................................................................... 40 points
Final Reflection 2 ........................................................................................................... 40 points

CARS Assessment Artifact Assignments:
      Contemporary Haiku Essay (mid-term)
      Haiku Collection (paper booklet & by email)
      Final Reflection 1 (ethical reasoning on value of haiku)

ICS Assessment Artifact Assignments:
      Compare matched haiku by Japanese & an English haiku poets
      Compare Japanese aesthetics & approaches to writing haiku in HAIKU GUY
      Reader responses to Basho’s haiku and poetics

Landmark Events & Due Dates

Haiku Reader Response Essay due midnight 06/09/2026 – submitted by email
Haiku Collection Chapbook (due midnight 06/11/2026 – email or PDF version submitted
Final Reflection 1 (due midnight 06/13/2026 – Review essay of 5 favorite haiku you have written
Final Reflection 2 (due midnight 06/13/2026 – Reflection essay on value of knowing haiku

Final Exam Reflections Due: 06/12/2026

Haiku Society of America • http://www.hsa-haiku.org/
The Haiku Foundation • http://www.thehaikufoundation.org/
Heron's Nest • http://www.theheronsnest.com/
Modern Haiku • http://www.modernhaiku.org/

Required Synchronous ONLINE Sessions:

6:30-7:00pm – 05/18, 05/26, 06/01, 06/08

for 05/18 do the following 2 reading/writing assignments

ZOOM 6:30-7:00pm – 05/18/2026

(1) Read Chapter One - The Art of Reading & Writing Haiku (pages 15-29) and write your short imagined response to "the sun coming up" haiku on page 15.

Get the PDF copy of Chapter 1 in MOODLE resources - (03-ArtOfReadingWritingHaiku.pdf).

(2) reading & response: read Mayfly 67, Summer 2019 -- PDF available in MOODLE (PDF 00-Mayfly67-Summer2019.pdf) and write your reader response paragraphs to 2 favorite haiku in MAYFLY 67

(email Dr. Brooks (rbrooks@millikin.edu) your assignments 1-2 by midnight 05/18)

for 05/19 do the following 2 reading/writing assignments

(3) haiku writing: write your first 4-6 haiku attempts on transition times—lulls of dawn, of dusk, of relationships, of states of consciousness, summer night, back to school.

(email Dr. Brooks (rbrooks@millikin.edu) your assignments 3 by midnight 05/19)

for 05/20 do the following 2 reading/writing assignments

(4) reading & response: Tea's Aftertaste by Aubrie Cox, (01-AubrieCox-Tea'sAftertaste.pdf) and writing response: find 2 favorite Aubrie haiku—write your imagined felt responses to them (one paragraph each)

REMEMBER to cite each haiku fully (do not add capital letters or punctuation) like this:

calling for the dog
at 2am
wind chimes

Cox, Tea's Aftertaste, 17

(5) haiku writing: write 4-5 haiku about living in your home town, family & friends

(email Dr. Brooks (rbrooks@millikin.edu) your assignments 4-5 by midnight 05/20)

for 05/21 do the following 3 reading/writing assignments

(6) ENJOY reading the responses by others in our class (see MOODLE responses under Cox's book & Mayfly 67) and write about 1 more favorite haiku by Aubrie Cox noticed by reading someone else's response.

(7) listen to the Aubrie Cox interview - audio file available in MOODLE (02-AubrieCoxInterview.mp3) and write a short reponse about 2 things you realized about haiku from this interview.

Aubrie Cox audio interview link:
 
https://moodle.millikin.edu/pluginfile.php/242124/mod_resource/content/0/02-AubrieCoxInterview.mp3

(8) write 3-4 haiku OPEN TOPIC . . . anything important to remember in your life

(email Dr. Brooks (rbrooks@millikin.edu) your assignments 6-8 by midnight 05/21)

for 05/22 or 05/23 do the following 2 reading/writing assignments

(9) reading: RED LEAVES by Peggy Lyles and writing responses: find 3 favorite Lyles haiku—write your imagined felt responses to them (one paragraph each) and briefly write your imagined, felt response to them. Be ready to discuss why you like them.

(10) write an extended memory & related haiku: choose a fourth favorite haiku by Peggy Lyles or Aubrie Cox that especially triggered memories from your childhood or past. This time write a one page memory describing a moment from your own life. THEN write 3-4 haiku which capture different instances or feelings from within that longer memory from your experience.

(email your assignments 9-10 by Saturday noon 05/23)

for 05/25 do the following 2 reading/writing assignments

(11) Read Chapters Two & Three - The Art of Reading & Writing Haiku (pages 31-66) (03-ArtOfReadingWritingHaiku.pdf) and write about three favorite haiku from this portion of the book.

(12) haiku write: 4-6 new haiku on winter perceptions & childhood memories

(email Dr. Brooks (rbrooks@millikin.edu) your assignments 11-12 by midnight 05/25)

for 05/26 do the following 3 reading/writing assignments

ZOOM Kukai 1 6:30-7:00pm – 05/26

Kukai 1 Favorites: read the haiku written by students in this class. They are all anonymous until KUKAI. You will receive a PDF of these haiku & invite to our ZOOM KUKAI. They are also available on our web site as a link. You may choose as many haiku as you like. Choose at least 10 favorite haiku (more if you like more).

(13) KUKAI 1 FAVORITES: Send me the number of each haiku you chose as a favorite.THEN write a reader response to your two favorite haiku from Kukai 1 (two paragraphs).

(14) Read Chapters Four - The Art of Reading & Writing Haiku (pages 67-82) (03-ArtOfReadingWritingHaiku.pdf) and write about two favorite haiku from this portion of the book.

(15) haiku write: 4-6 new haiku on OPEN topic

(email Dr. Brooks (rbrooks@millikin.edu) your assignments 13-15 by midnight 05/26)

for 05/27 do the following 2 reading/writing assignments

(16) Read Bare Necessities by Francine Banwarth (32-Francine-BareNecessities.pdf) and find three favorite haiku from Francine and write a short response paragraphs about them.

(17) haiku write: 2-3 new haiku in response to some of Francine's haiku

(email Dr. Brooks (rbrooks@millikin.edu) your assignments 16-17 by midnight 05/27)

for 05/28 do the following 2 reading/writing assignments

18) reading response: find an interesting "matched pair" of haiku (one from Francine Banwarth and one from Peggy Lyles or MAYFLY) to read side by side. write a short analysis of the writing strategies and techniques used in these haiku. (not reader response but analysis of writing techniques such as line break, word choice, arrangement, rhythm, sounds, emphasis, break, voice, tone, attitude, etc.). one page maximum for your analysis (half a page is fine).

(19) haiku write: 3-4 new haiku on OPEN topic

(email Dr. Brooks (rbrooks@millikin.edu) your assignments 18-19 by midnight 05/28)

for 05/29 or 05/30 do the following 2 reading/writing assignments

(20) Read The Silence Between Us by Wally Swist (05-WallySwistSilenceBook.pdf) and find three favorite haiku from Wally and write a short response paragraphs about them.

(21) haiku write: go for a walk (by yourself or with friends) and write haiku along the way that come to you from just being out there. Have fun writing with your friends. The Japanese call this a "GINKO" walk.

(email Dr. Brooks (rbrooks@millikin.edu) your assignments 20-21 by midnight 05/30)

for 05/31 or when you get a chance throughout this class - OPTIONAL extra credit assignment!

Listen to 1 or 2 episodes of the HAIKU TALK youtube podcast:

https://www.youtube.com/@HaikuTalk

To get 10 points extra credit, just write about the haiku featured in the episode or something you learned by listening to Ben Gaa's reading of the haiku. You get 10 points for each episode you watch!

(email your HAIKU TALK episode responses any time for extra credit)

for 06/01 do the following 2 reading/writing assignments

ZOOM Kukai 2 6:30-7:00pm – 06/01

Kukai 2 Favorites

(22) Kukai 2 Favorites: read the haiku written by students in this class. You will receive a PDF of these haiku & invite to our ZOOM KUKAI. They are also available on our web site as a link.

You may choose as many haiku as you like. Just send me the number of each haiku you choose as a favorite. Try to choose 10 favorite haiku (or more if you like more). THEN write a reader response to your three favorite haiku from Kukai 2 Favorites (three paragraphs)

(23) write 4-5 haiku open topic

(email Dr. Brooks (rbrooks@millikin.edu) your assignments 22-24 by midnight 06/01)

for 06/02 do the following 2 reading/writing assignments

(24) reading: Almost Unseen by George Swede (06-GeorgeSwedeHaiku.pdf) and do the writing response: find three favorite haiku from the George Swede handout and write a short response paragraphs about them.

(25) haiku writing: write 4-6 new haiku inspired from reading George Swede's haiku

(email Dr. Brooks (rbrooks@millikin.edu) your assignments 22-24 by midnight 06/01)

for 06/03

(26) Read Chapters Five and Six - The Art of Reading & Writing Haiku (pages 83-109) and write about three favorite haiku from this portion of the book.

(27) haiku writing: write 4-5 new haiku OPEN TOPIC

(email Dr. Brooks (rbrooks@millikin.edu) your assignments 26-27 by midnight 06/03)

for 06/04 do the following 4 reading/writing assignments

(28) reading: Gail Sher - Guide for Beginning Haiku Writers (07-Sher-GuideForBeginningHaiku.pdf) and write your reading response: Compare Gail Sher's suggestions for writing haiku with the introduction in Peggy Lyles' book (one page max).

(29) write 3-4 haiku with multiple levels of significance - OPEN TOPIC

(email Dr. Brooks (rbrooks@millikin.edu) your assignments 28-29 by midnight 06/04)

for 06/05 or 06/06 do the following 2 reading/writing assignments

(30) reading response: compare the genesis of discourse for two authors (George Swede or Francine Banwarth or Aubrie Cox or Peggy Lyles). By genesis of discourse, I mean WHERE do these writers find their haiku? Why do they choose to write haiku about these moments? What is the source of significance worth turning into a literary artwork for them?

(31) write 4-6 haiku on some significant moments or experiences from your life

(email Dr. Brooks (rbrooks@millikin.edu) your assignments 30-31 by noon 06/06)

for 06/07 or when you get a chance throughout this class - OPTIONAL extra credit assignment!

Listen to 1 or 2 episodes of the HAIKU TALK youtube podcast:

https://www.youtube.com/@HaikuTalk

To get 10 points extra credit, just write about the haiku featured in the episode or something you learned by listening to Ben Gaa's reading of the haiku. You get 10 points for each episode you watch!

(email your HAIKU TALK episode responses any time for extra credit)

for 06/08 do the following 3 reading/writing assignments

ZOOM Kukai 3 • 6:30-7:00pm – 06/08

(32) reading: handout of haiku from School's Out by Randy Brooks (08-RandyBrooksHaiku.pdf) and do the writing response: find three favorite haiku from Randy Brooks and write a short response paragraphs about them.

(33) Read Chapter 13 - The Art of Reading & Writing Haiku (pages 187-200) and write about one favorite haiku from this portion of the book.

(34) write 3-4 haiku in response to Dr. Brooks' haiku

(email Dr. Brooks (rbrooks@millikin.edu) your assignments 32-33 by midnight 06/08)

for 06/09 do the following 4 reading/writing assignments

(35) write 4-6 new haiku - what's your "happy place" or "quiet contemplation spot" where you can think about your life and where you are headed. meditate on that for these new haiku

(36) Reader Response Essay Preview - email me 1 paragraph about your Author or Haiku topic plan:

Think about what or who you'd like to write about for your contemporary haiku reader response essay. These essays are due midnight June 11. I need to know your intended topic or author. See the bibliography of ONLINE books and exhibits available:

A Bibliography of Online Books, Journals and Exhibitions on Haiku, Senryu and Tanka in English
http://www.brooksbookshaiku.com/MillikinHaiku/bibliographies/OnlineHaikuBooks.pdf

Here are guidelines for this assignment (also see 16-Sample-ReaderResponseHaikuessay.pdf):

haiku author or topic study: A formal essay introducing a particular contemporary author, topic or technical approach to contemporary haiku readers. This is a reader-response essay, so the primary source for your essay will be your own readings and analyses of 6-10 haiku. If you are doing an author focus, discuss your author's approach to writing haiku. You may choose to write about a haiku topic instead of an author, with reader responses to 6-10 haiku related to that topic. Matching comparisons with haiku by other authors are always valued in all approaches to this essay. This can focus on one book by the author in the form of a book review essay or on a particular theme or technical approach to haiku by the author.

--> focus on a point of insight or question about that author's unique contribution
--> include response discussions of 6-8 haiku by the author
--> optional to include at a matching comparison to a haiku by another author (or more)

The Haiku Foundation has a Haiku Poets Registry that may be helpful in getting a preview of cerntain authors: <https://www.thehaikufoundation.org/haiku-registry/>

Length? 3-4 pages single-spaced. Citations? Full citation of each source within text first time mentioned (followed by haiku citation convention of author, publication title abbreviated, page number) for subsequent mentions. Yes, do include a works-cited page.

(email Dr. Brooks (rbrooks@millikin.edu) your assignments 35-36 by midnight 06/09)

for 06/10 do the following 2 reading/writing assignments

(37) reading response writing: Chapter 2 of Matsuo Bashô by Ueda (14-Basho-Chapter2-byUeda.pdf). Select three favorite haiku from Bashô. Write a paragraph response to these three haiku.

(38) write 3-4 haiku in response to some of Basho's haiku or OPEN TOPIC

(email Dr. Brooks (rbrooks@millikin.edu) your assignments 37-38 by midnight 06/10)

for 06/11 do the following 3 reading/writing assignments

(39) Kukai 4 favorites: read the haiku written by students in this class. You will receive a PDF of these haiku but there is no final ZOOM kukai. Just send me your favorites in response to the PDF.

You may choose as many haiku as you like. Just send me the number of each haiku you choose as a favorite. Try to choose 10 haiku favorites (or more if you like more). THEN write a reader response to your two favorite haiku from Kukai 4 Favorites (two paragraphs)

(40) reading: Love Haiku by Masajo Suzuki (09-Masajo-LoveHaiku.pdf) and do the reading responses: find three favorite haiku by Masajo and write a short response paragraph to them.

(41) writing love haiku or lost love haiku: write 4-6 love or anti-love haiku. Not necessarily all lovey-dovey cliches, but love, crushes, first date, breaking up, unrequited love, good friends, bitterness about love, winter dance, sock hop, blind date, romance, vampire love, and so on . . .

(42) Contemporary Haiku Reader Response Essays due

Length? 3-4 pages single-spaced. Citations? Full citation of each source within text first time mentioned (followed by haiku citation convention of author, publication title abbreviated, page number) for subsequent mentions. Yes, do include a works-cited page. Yes, give your essay a title.

xxxxx - xxxxx

(email Dr. Brooks (rbrooks@millikin.edu) your assignments 39-42 by midnight 06/11)

for 06/12 do the following 2 reading/writing assignments

(43) Read Chapters eleven - The Art of Reading & Writing Haiku (pages 161-169) and write about three favorite haiku from this portion of the book.

(44) Haiku Collection due: gather your best haiku from the course, collected with a preface about your understanding or approach to writing haiku.

Guidelines on final collections (see 23-finalcollections-guidelines.pdf):

Make your collection a PDF PowerPoint or Prezzi digital presentation. Select and organize your best haiku & senryu in your slide show.

Give your collection a title and a © 2026 near your title page. (Often signature haiku are connected to the title for your collection.)

Include a dedication if you would like.

Be sure to write an author's introduction to your collection which explains your title and expresses your approach or why these are the ones you have included in your collection (your poetics preface about what you have learned about the art of writing haiku).

OPTIONAL - ask a reading partner to write a short introduction to your collection, maybe pointing out one or two favorites—or their observation about something unique about your haiku (the reader's introduction). The reader's introduction should help strangers appreciate and value your collection.

Email your collection to Dr. Brooks as a ppt or pdf!

(email Dr. Brooks (rbrooks@millikin.edu) your assignments 43-44 by midnight 06/11)

for 06/13 do the following 2 reading/writing assignments

(45) Review haiku you have written from the kukai, matching contest, and from your final haiku collection. Write about why 5 of your haiku are your favorites.

(46) Write a short reflection essay on how your life has been enriched by learning more about the literary art of reading and writing haiku. What has the art of haiku taught you that will be of value in your professional, social and personal life?

(email Dr. Brooks (rbrooks@millikin.edu) your assignments 43-44 by midnight 06/13)

No late assignments will be accepted after midnight Sunday, June 14.

Final grades will be submitted by noon on Monday, June 15, 2026