Documentary Poetics

In this course we will examine how poetry intervenes in the world. What kinds of history can poetry document, capture, or reflect? What can we learn from poetic documentation that we might not otherwise? We will read texts that incorporate archival materials and ephemera as well as works tracing limitations of the archive. Readings will include Charles Reznikoff, Dionne Brand, Muriel Rukeyser, Langston Hughes, Layli Long Soldier, Theresa Ha Kyung Cha, Caroline Bergvall, and M. Nourbese Philip, among others. Students will create their own poetic work throughout this class. Their fina