Hello! Welcome to Revolutionary Poetics: Black Poetry in the American Canon, the writing component of your Spring 2025 Poetry Journey. This course is designed to help develop explore the tradition and legacy of Black Poetry.
“Art is not escape, but a way of finding order in chaos, a way of confronting life,” said Robert Hayden, the first Black writer to hold the office of U.S. Poet Laureate.
Learning Objectives
- Explore the legacy and tradition of Black Poetry through the Furious Flower Poetry Syllabus and Furious Flower Anthology.
- Engage in group conversation on Black poetics.
- Learn about poetic form.
- Write original poetry inspired by the works of Black writers including in the Furious Flower Syllabus and Anthology.
Requirements
Coursework
- Participants must draft 4-5 original poems that reflect the participant’s unique voice and style as a poet.
- Attend at least 1 Community Experience per month
- 2 pair sessions per month
- Attend journey meetings
- Complete asynchronous course
- Submit at least 1 piece at the end of journey.
Mentorship
You are in one of the following pair types. You pair type is listed on your GWN Portal profile.
- Type 1: Mentor/Mentee: Meet 2-3 times per month and, as a pair, attend one of the engagement events listed below at least once per month.
- Type 2 : Peer-to-Peer: Meet 2 times per month and, as a pair, attend one of the engagement events listed below at least once per month.
Engagement Types
- Journey Meetings
Submissions
- Submit at least 1 piece at the end of journey to be published on the Girls Write Now website.
Asynchronous Coursework
[This section is for providing dates and information on course sections that will become available later in the journey. Include or remove as applicable.]
- Available March 1, 2025: Pre Class Reading + Videos: Due Before first Journey Meeting on March 17
- Available March 15: Introduction: “Serious Work”
- Available April 1: “Digging Deep”
- Available May1: “Where are you from? Where are you going?”
Engagement Dates
Journey Meetings will be held on the following dates and times:
- Monday, March 17, 2025: 5-6pm ET
- Monday, April 21, 2025: 5-6pm ET
- Monday, May 19, 2025: 5-6pm ET
Please check the Announcements tab for information on upcoming live events.
Submissions
[This section is for providing information on course submissions such as deadlines and instructions.]
Link to girlswritenow.org/stories/submit/ for instructions on submitting material through the portal.
