ENGL 33
"The World Keeps Ending": Poetry of Apocalypse Winter 2024

This is not the current course catalog

The Encarta Webster’s Dictionary defines apocalypse as both “the destruction or devastation of something” and “a revelation made concerning the future.” Increasingly, as humanity sinks deeper into crises of climate disaster, war, scarcity, inequality, and violence, poets are using themes of apocalypse and dystopia to make sense of our world — and to imagine the possibilities beyond our world’s end. In this workshop, we will explore what apocalypse means both personally and collectively, asking such questions as: What is worth saving? What is worth letting go? In what ways and for whom has the apocalypse already happened? How do we imagine the last day of the world — and the day after that? As Franny Choi tells us, “The World Keeps Ending, and the World Goes On.” We will take guidance from poets like Choi, sam sax, Saeed Jones, Joy Harjo, and others, crafting poems inspired by readings and prompts. As a group, we will define craft elements and potential workshop models, using both to inform our discussions of student work led by the writer. Weekly writing assignments will culminate in a final portfolio of poems. This is an anti-racist workshop which seeks to expand the literary canon, and in which we will collaborate to create a healthy and creative space for all voices. Above all, the goal will be to grow in confidence as a creative writer, pursuing your own definition of your best work.