Creative Writing: Love & Suffering
In this class we will explore one of the oldest and most common themes in poetry and prose: love and its often-inevitable companion, suffering. Love cannot exist without the pain of its possible loss, and for centuries writers have been compelled to express in words the complex, beautiful, sensual and tragic experience that is love. We will read and listen to poetry, music, essays, autobiographical writing and short fiction, as well as watch films relating to love and suffering. Although we will cover romantic love, it is not the only focus of the course. We will also look at how different types of love (familial, friendship etc.) and suffering are written about cross-culturally, and the ways in which gender influences these works. We will read old and new material from Kanaka Maoli, Pacific Islander, Persian, Turkish and African American writers, as well as work from other ethnic and cultural groups.
Students will be expected to produce their own original writing informed by the course materials, which will include critical and reflective responses, poems, prose pieces and personal essays. Sharing, workshopping and engaging in other creative writing exercises will be essential parts of class time. This course is Writing Intensive, and you will be expected to write both inside and outside of class. You will also be asked to attend relevant lectures, performances and readings on your own time. The ultimate goal of the course is for students to produce a collection of their own work.
Course readings will be available on Laulima and/or in a Course Reader. Additional required texts TBA.