In this course students will study the history of the beat generation with special emphasis on the writings the writers of this phenomenal era produced. Students will use as models Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, Gregory Corso, William Burroughs, Neal Cassady, Peter Orlovsky, Diane Di Prima, John Wieners, Amiri Baraka, Joanne Kyger, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Lew Welch, Lenore Kandel, Philip Whalen, Bob Kaufman, Michael McClure, Gary Synder and others. Students will come to understand the provocativeness and durability of Beat Literature. In addition, students will write their own visions in the multiple forms taught us by these courageous writers of the beat generation.
Good writing requires reflection.
As part of the process, you will be asked to spend time in reflection to see how you solved problems writing a particular piece. You will also reflect on whether or not Beat Literature will last and what part you will play in its history. Although this course is being held in a non-threatening environment, it is work intensive. You will be writing essays, poems, short fiction, completing reading assignments, participating in threaded discussions, writing in-class assignments, and critiquing other students'work. You will complete this course not only with a better understanding of Beat Literature and why we are so indebted to these writers, but with a feeling of accomplishment in having further developed your intellectual muscles.