Critical Social Inquiry 0289 - Childhood & American Poetry

In this advanced seminar we will use poetry as a site of thinking about children and childhood. We will consider questions of power, perspective, and experience regarding children and adults, examine works primarily in 20th century American poetry, and explore poetry-writing in relation to thinking about children and childhood. Our goal will be to balance attention to questions about ideas with questions about creative form. Readings will include poetry written by adults for adult audiences, poetry written by adults for young audiences, and poetry written by young people, supplemented by readings in childhood studies and literary criticism. Assignments will encompass poetry writing and analytic writing, and one project that requires scheduling outside of class time. Previous coursework in childhood studies and creative writing is recommended.

Culture, Humanities, and Languages Multiple Cultural Perspectives Writing and Research Students are expected to spend at least six to eight hours a week of preparation and work outside of class time.