First-Year Studies in Poetry

This is a class in which we will immerse ourselves in the reading and writing of poetry. We will look closely at a published poet’s poems—at syntax, line, diction, image, music, etc.—and the poet’s strategies and techniques. We will attend poetry readings and slams, watch films, view art, and generally immerse ourselves in the soup of inspiration. We will spend time generating poems together, inspired by the poets we experience, and look closely at one another’s work. Each writer in our class will meet with another class member once a week for a “poetry date.” Each writer will be responsible for reading the assigned work and for bringing to class one written offering each week. We will work hard, learn a great deal about poetry, and have a wonderful time.