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Poetry and Science: An Improbable Alliance

Poetry and science share the same goal: Both disciplines employ the senses to learn about nature and our place in the universe, as well as about ourselves as individuals. Both quest for different forms of fundamental truth, through a combination of language and imagination, intuition and wonder. In this writing course, we will consider such scientific disciplines as biology, astronomy, geography, artificial intelligence, and more. We will read and discuss science-themed poems of published poets. Special attention will be paid to the rich vernacular of each discipline; for example, from geography, we have such evocative terms as flatiron, bayou, and monadnock. Students will write a poem outside of class each week and present it the following session. Scientific background is not required, and beginning as well as experienced poets are welcome. Students’ work will not be critiqued, but instead shared and enjoyed in a safe, supportive setting.

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