In this course, students explore their roles as both writers and critics of performance poetry. Students work independently and collaboratively to develop a set of vocabulary and critical approaches that enable engagement with spoken word poetry on their aesthetic terms, while also identifying the best approaches to analyzing and delivering spoken word performances. Through an examination of oral traditions and the impact of performance poetry, students develop an understanding of the distinction between page versus stage poetry, while also learning craft-specific approaches and developing a critical awareness of their own and others’ poetic work.