Faculty First Year Seminars 197ENGL8 - Emily Dickinson's Poetic Voice
Fall
2017
01
1.00
Melba Jensen
TH 4:00PM 4:50PM
UMass Amherst
42180
Without leaving her childhood home, Emily Dickinson developed a revolutionary poetic voice. She
refused the conventional roles of wife, mother, congregant, and protege, embracing poetry as her
vocation. Her poetic voice reflects her effort to compose herself through intense reflection on her
emotions and thoughts, but her spare poetic form invites readers to interpret the words through their own
experiences. To explore Dickinson?s poetry, this class will study her letters and poems, visit her home
and prepare an exhibit for the Emily Dickinson Museum. Three classes will meet at EDM for tours of the
houses and grounds. On Thursday, Nov. 2, students will attend an open-mic poetry reading at the
Museum from 6:30pm -7:30pm. On Thursday, Dec. 7, students will install and guide a one-evening
exhibit on Dickinson?s poetry at the Museum. Note: Historic preservation guidelines prevent the
Museum from installing elevators, so accessibility is limited.
refused the conventional roles of wife, mother, congregant, and protege, embracing poetry as her
vocation. Her poetic voice reflects her effort to compose herself through intense reflection on her
emotions and thoughts, but her spare poetic form invites readers to interpret the words through their own
experiences. To explore Dickinson?s poetry, this class will study her letters and poems, visit her home
and prepare an exhibit for the Emily Dickinson Museum. Three classes will meet at EDM for tours of the
houses and grounds. On Thursday, Nov. 2, students will attend an open-mic poetry reading at the
Museum from 6:30pm -7:30pm. On Thursday, Dec. 7, students will install and guide a one-evening
exhibit on Dickinson?s poetry at the Museum. Note: Historic preservation guidelines prevent the
Museum from installing elevators, so accessibility is limited.
Freshmen Only