LLIS26W12 - Haiku: Creative Windows amid Strict Guidelines

Course Description

Haiku is a form of short poetry that arose in Japan between the 13th and 17th centuries. Haiku draws on elements of traditional Japanese poetry, including emphasis on syllable count rather than meter, a lack of rhyme, emphasis on topics taken from nature, and frequent incorporation of artwork. Western poets experimented with haiku, but emphasized different major characteristics. This course will begin with an introduction to the linguistic and cultural elements of Japan that support the haiku form. It will also touch briefly on format changes made by modern Japanese poets and by poets writing in other languages. Students will then compose their own haiku, choosing which guidelines to follow. These poems will be presented to the class and published in a volume made available to class members. LLI will print a comemorative full-color, illustrated book of your own poetry to keep at the end of class!