This seminar is designed to introduce students to the extravagantly varied world of contemporary poetry. The reading list will be built around poets who will read in the Valley during the fall (most unknown at this time, but we do know that Lucille Clifton and Adrienne Rich will read at Smith).

There will be frequent forays into the world of poetry (such as visiting a small press, attending readings/slams/open-mike events, perhaps even a trip to the Dodge Poetry Festival in New Jersey). Students should be prepared to set time aside for those activities (mostly evenings) and for the question-and-answer sessions with the Smith poets (2 Tuesdays per month, 3:30-4:45).

Pre-requisites: energy, a passion for poetry, and a poetry-intensive class in your background.

Writing: weekly 1-page responses; a final paper (approximately 12 pages), written in drafts.

There are still several openings in this class. Please contact the instructor in early September, before the class meets, if you are interested in joining it.