Interdisciplinary Arts 0272 - Lesser Known Poets

Why do some artists prosper and gain notoriety, even fame, while others spend their lives toiling in severe darkness? Why do some become household names while others struggle even to maintain a household? Are some just better artists than others or is there something else at play? How much of this has to do with industry politics, network opportunities, and business that has nothing to do with the business of making art? In this intermediate poetry seminar, we will study the work of four African-American poets whose work, for reasons we will consider, has gone largely unrecognized by mainstream audiences. Students will pay these poets their proper respects by treating their work with all the attention it deserves and, yes, by stealing from them! Poets under consideration include Wanda Coleman, Henry Dumas, Christopher Gilbert, and Laini Mataka. Prerequisite: Prior poetry workshop experience.

Independent Work Multiple Cultural Perspectives In this course, students are expected to spend at least six to eight hours a week of preparation and work outside of class time. This time includes reading and writing.