NOTE: Skips Sept. 20, Oct. 4, 11, 25 and Nov 1 This class is for someone who is curious about language and poetry. It's for someone who wants to dig into the craft of poetry, read traditional and contemporary poetry, play with language, tap into their own voice, learn poetic techniques, and create their own poems. In this introductory class, students will learn what makes a "good poem." Students will read both traditional and contemporary poets and will be given generative writing prompts in class. Students will write and revise poems and share in an encouraging and supportive workshop setting. By the end of this class, students will identify craft choices poets make in their poetry, will successfully apply poetic techniques to their own poetry, and will gain a deeper appreciation for poetry and its inner workings. Please bring a pen and notebook to class. Students will be encouraged to share their work and participate in a poetry reading at Callanwolde's Student Art S About the Instructor: Karen Javits is a poet and educator and current PhD candidate in Literary Studies at Georgia State University, where she teaches composition and creative writing. With over 25 years of teaching experience, Karen has taught writing to middle and high school students, students in the refugee and immigrant communities, and college-level students. She has been involved in several writing programs, including the Sewanee Writer's Conference as a Tennessee Williams Scholar, the Ossabaw Island Writer's Retreat, poetry workshops at the Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, and Poetry at Tech workshops. She earned an MFA in Poetry from Georgia State University. Her poetry has been published in Crosswinds Journal, The Ekphrastic Review, and Crab Creek Review, and her poem won an International Merit Award in The Atlanta Review. Originally from Miami Beach, Florida, Karen now lives in Decatur, GA, with her family. She enjoys reading, writing, walking in nature, and spending time near the water.