Course code:

HS2091

Level:

IM - Introductory/Intermediate

Class size limit:

12

Meets the following requirements:

  • HS - Human Studies

Typically offered:

Once

This class is a study of, and a writing workshop in, poetic forms. We will look at constraints, techniques, and directions of contemporary poetry through intensive reading, writing, and criticism of our own poetic work. This background is useful and significant for the study of poetry at any level, and is especially helpful in light of the fact that, for better or worse, free verse techniques have dominated poetry in the twentieth century. This course is valuable for practiced poets, emerging poets, and prose writers alike. Forms of Poetry asks students to pay attention, create poetry of attention, and revel in poetry that is attentive to language; this process will help students develop voice and lyrical content in their own writing. We will look older, “received forms” (Sonnet, Ghazal, Villanelle) and create our own forms by using experimental techniques (homophonic translation, concrete poetry, erasure, nonsense words (i.e. Jabberwocky)) and look to end the term with the amazing Japanese form, Zuihitsu. You might be thinking: Why write with these crazy constraints or in these old timey poetic forms? And what the heck is a Zuihitsu? Those are good questions, questions we will address on a weekly basis. Over the last seventy years, the debates over poetic expression have been shaped in visceral ways, from “raw” versus “cooked,” “academic” versus “beat,” “formal” versus “antiformal.” This class is designed to deepen your knowledge of these debates and to inspire you to draw upon a variety of modes in your own writing. Evaluations: Students will be expected to contribute to a class blog, write several poems a week, revise poetic output, participate in class workshop, and hand sew a chapbook of their own revised, creative work.

Prerequisites:

None.

Always visit the Registrar's Office for the official course catalog and schedules.