CI-197 Writing the Future: Poetry and Activism
In modern history across the globe, poets and poetry have had a strange habit of appearing at the center of movements for social change. This was the case during the Civil Rights movement, the 1960's counter-cultural movement, and the 2nd and 3rd Wave Feminist movements, to name a few examples. It's also been the case more recently, during Occupy Wall Street, Hong Kong's uprising, and the ongoing Black Lives Matter movement. Many poets and educators have argued that poetry necessitates divergent thinking- it provides a form through which we can imagine new realities, new possibilities. In this class, we will read works by poets involved with collective movements for social change. We will attempt to answer questions like: What is it about poetry that is necessary or helpful to groups pursuing cultural change? Why do poets so often address issues of oppression and liberty in their works? Can poetry and art truly effect change, or do they simply document it? Students will also investigate connections between art and revolution through their own writing in poetry and expository nonfiction, responding to texts and discussions, all the while experimenting with different forms of thinking and writing. Students will explore issues they care about and convey their ideas through their own poems, some of which will be workshopped in class. Virtually or in-person (depending on the state of the pandemic) we will visit local historical archives, small presses, and magazines such as Black Ocean, The New England Free Press, and the Poetry Center at Suffolk. Throughout the semester, students will work in small groups to either 1) create a chapbook of poetry and art that focuses on a central issue or theme, or 2) organize a virtual poetry and arts event for the Suffolk community or general public.
Prerequisite
Restricted to students with less than 54 credits. Students with more than 54 credits needing to fulfill their CI requirement should seek approval from the Undergraduate Advising Office.