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.
We will read love poetry by Brandy Nālani McDougall, Alistair
Te Ariki Campbell, Konai Helu Thaman, Momoe Von Reiche, Rumi, Jahan Malek
Khatun, Rita Dove, Maya Angelou, E.E. Cummings and many more. Course readings
will be available on Laulima and/or in a Course Reader. Additional required
texts TBA.