In this course, we will explore radically interdisciplinary connections between poetry, nature and science. Students will be encouraged to think broadly about poetry as a form of communication, an expression of values and worldviews, and an active member of a grand discourse with science and other ways of knowing. In particular, students will explore connections between poetry and nature, poetry and ecological science, and poetry and setting. At the end of this course, students will have a greater understanding of how poetry and nature are interconnected, looking at the relationship between creativity and setting. Students will learn how to analyze poems effectively through broadening their skills.
This course will be heavily discussion and workshop based. Each meeting will feature a presentation by a class group on a particular reading or topic of interest. This will begin a larger group discussion tackling other readings and themes for the week. Each class will end with a creative writing or workshopping period. This will occur both in the classroom and outside to raise and answer questions about how environment and creativity are related. Course leaders will come prepared with engaging and provocative discussion questions and topics, but will act as facilitators of a safe and expressive classroom rather than as lecturers.
Course grading will be as follows:
50% Attendance and Participation
20% Group presentation
30% Final Project