143223 VO African Poetry Workshop (2020S)

In this course, after an introduction to the evolution of African poetry from the pre-1960’s era to the present, and after a survey of a typology of African poetry, participants will continually write poems about Africa and Africans in any language of their choice but most preferably in African languages, English, French or German. At later stages of the course these poems produced by the participants during the course will be subjected to critique and evaluation by all course participants and, where possible, by guest lecturers invited to read their own poetry.

Learning objectives:
 To provide learners with an understanding of African culture through the art of poetry
 To give learners the opportunity to study to appreciate African poetry
 To give learners the opportunity to write, read and critique African-themed poems

Methods: lecture, guest appearances, poetry writing, criticism, and multimedia presentation of self-produced poetry;
Class interaction will be in the form of lectures, student in-class writing of poems, critiques, guest poetry reading, computer-based electronic communications, and demonstrations of fundamental African poetry through photos and film, and fieldtrips to the African diaspora communities in Vienna.