Why just write poems when you can write better ones? This course is built on the notion that the most exciting writing begins after the first draft. It is specifically for folks who believe that writing poems just to express oneself is like using the Internet just for email. After all, poetry can change the way you and your readers think of the world and its inhabitants; it can break new ground for language; turn a blank sheet of paper into a teeming concert of voices and music.
Offered By
Sharpened Visions: A Poetry Workshop
California Institute of the Arts
About this Course
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Learner Career Outcomes
67%
started a new career after completing these courses
50%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
17%
got a pay increase or promotion
Skills you will gain
MusicPoetry WritingArtCreativity
Learner Career Outcomes
67%
started a new career after completing these courses
50%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
17%
got a pay increase or promotion
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Beginner Level
Approx. 13 hours to complete
Suggested: 4-5 hours of lessons and assessments
English
Subtitles: English
Offered by
California Institute of the Arts
CalArts has earned an international reputation as the leading college of the visual and performing arts in the United States. Offering rigorous undergraduate and graduate degree programs through six schools—Art, Critical Studies, Dance, Film/Video, Music, and Theater—CalArts has championed creative excellence, critical reflection, and the development of new forms and expressions.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
1 hour to complete
Introduction and the Poetic Line
Poetry orchestrates its music, arguments, tensions, and environment via arrangements of language into lines and stanzas. This week we’ll address the importance of the line break, perhaps the most conspicuous, signature tool in the poet’s toolkit. Do you break more for sound, for sense, visual effect, shape, a mix of several? We’ll participate in several line break exercises and remix found poems. Also: prepare for your first quiz and a fun first writing prompt.
1 hour to complete
8 videos (Total 20 min), 5 readings, 1 quiz
8 videos
The Workshop Process3m
Workshopping in a MOOC, part 11m
The Starting Line4m
Rack ‘em Up: Gwendolyn Brooks' We Real Cool1m
We/Read Close. We/Take note. 4m
Game Over1m
Poetry Prompt 1: Line2m
5 readings
Syllabus5m
Workshopping in a MOOC, part 28m
Academic Integrity2m
Course Resources3m
Week 1 Summary8m
1 practice exercise
On the Line10m
1 hour to complete
Abstraction and Image
Abstraction doesn’t mean “deep,” and image doesn’t mean “picture.” Images are typically understood as anything you can literally touch/taste/see/hear/smell, and abstractions are those things for which we have symbols (a clock for “time,” a heart for “love”) but no image. Abstractions and images may fill our poems, but how can you tell what’s what, and how can you leverage them to compelling ends? This week we’ll work at finding new symbols to replace clichéd ones for abstractions and we’ll work at crafting images that do more than add furniture to a poem, but create systems of relationships, moods, and even style.
1 hour to complete
5 videos (Total 14 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz
5 videos
Beauty’s in the Eye of the Bewildered: Harryette Mullen's [if your complexion is a mess.]1m
The Wonky Chocolate Factory4m
Read in the Shade2m
Poetry Prompt 2: Abstraction & Image2m
1 reading
Week 2 Summary8m
1 practice exercise
Abstraction & Image10m
3 hours to complete
Metaphor and Other Formulas of Difference
Most of us think of simile and metaphor, personification and other similar figures of speech as being about similarities between objects, concepts, and entities. But the juice in these formulas comes from how different the two things being compared seem to be. This is why writing: “the shark moved like a fish” is, alone, a lot less interesting than saying “the shark moved like a squad car.” We’ll talk about how playing with difference via juxtaposition can create a range of poetic effects. Then you’ll write a poem built of one robustly developed or several contrasting juxtapositions.
3 hours to complete
5 videos (Total 18 min), 1 reading, 2 quizzes
5 videos
Home Cooking: Victor Hernández Cruz's Red Beans1m
Lilies and Lava 4m
After Dinner Meant1m
Poetry Prompt 3: Metaphor2m
1 reading
Week 3 Summary8m
1 practice exercise
Metaphor10m
1 hour to complete
Rhyme
This week we’ll explore how rhyme leverages patterns of sameness and how we can estrange similarity for compelling poetic effects. We’ll check out examples of “rhyme”—sonic, visual, conceptual—from outside of poetry too.
1 hour to complete
5 videos (Total 14 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz
5 videos
There’s No “A” in Showdown: Cathy Park Hong's Ballad in A1m
Lipo-what?!5m
What That Was2m
Poetry Prompt 4: Rhyme1m
1 reading
Week 4 Summary8m
1 practice exercise
Rhyme10m
Reviews
4.7
TOP REVIEWS FROM SHARPENED VISIONS: A POETRY WORKSHOP
by SMFeb 12, 2017
This course truly opened my eyes on the importance of revision, I recommend this course not only for budding poets but even for those who have never attempted poetry. You will learn a great deal.
by ARNov 1, 2015
I have learned so much and I love D's energy and the avid participation of the other students. Will definitely pass on what I've learned. Can't wait for more courses like this in the future! :)
by JKAug 21, 2016
Wonderful, learning about writing poetry here is IT! I will always use this to go forward and once in a while come back to freshen up. Thank you, there's nothing else out there like this class!
by ASAug 14, 2018
This course provides brilliant explanations delivered in an extremely entertaining manner and incredible prompts that make the process of writing poetry extremely amusing. I recommend it 100%.
by LDMar 7, 2019
I appreciate the practicality of assignments and delivery of concepts for writing poetry. I learned some skills and it gave me structure. The conversation between students is less accessible.
by GMJan 12, 2016
I loved it. I truly enjoyed my time through this course. Excellent teacher who knows his stuff. Thank-you for this writing and educational opportunity for me to jump-start my muse again.
by SBOct 7, 2015
I enjoyed the class. The small corny bits in the videos made me feel at home, while the informative parts were very easy for me to understand. I'll likely revisit the class again later.
by MSNov 1, 2019
I loved this course. It has expanded my vision for my own writing. I found it helpful to receive feedback from my peers. I now can go back to previous works and revise with confidence.
by SBJan 8, 2020
Excellent course !! Previously I had never read or appreciated poetry much. This course has been an eye opener. The course is very well structure! And I learnt a lot from my peers too!
by MAApr 15, 2018
This was a brilliant course. Loved having to write poems for it. Loved the guy taking it. Just had trouble getting in to put assignments in and talk to people. Otherwise I loved it.
by CLAug 8, 2016
Douglas Kearney is the best teacher I ever had. He really knows his stuff. His video lectures are so much fun to watch that I find myself wishing that his course would last forever.
by MIMar 18, 2020
Sharpened visions was a wonderful course. Thanks to the mentors who worked behind it. thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us. a must do course who wants to be a poet.
by UEJan 31, 2019
Amazing course, very well structured. Helped develop my poetic voice and provided technical knowledge as well. Experimented in poetic forms I'd never heard of. Thank you so much.
by ZCOct 27, 2016
Fun and concise bite sized lectures. Challenging yet manageable tasks to complete. If you want to begin to explore the basics of poetry in a fun way, this is the course for you!
by LRJun 9, 2016
I loved every part of this course. The tutorials were brilliant, the assignments were fun but the most important thing is that the course made me want to write more poetry.
by RMJan 15, 2019
I Just loved this course. I learnt a lot of things about poetry. Soon i wish i would publish a book on poetry by writing and incorporating the lessons learnt in the class.
by ADJan 28, 2020
Excellent course for poets of all levels! A great refresher course if you're looking to learn more about the beauty of poetry or if you're simply looking for inspiration!
by DBNov 16, 2015
This was an excellent course. The material was relevant, the assignments were meaningful, and the instructor was effective and motivating. I highly recommend this course.
by MCJan 3, 2019
This course has so much substance in it, very engaging and lively. I loved the way Doug teaches and passes across lessons! Perhaps I should come take a course at CALARTS.
by KJJan 12, 2017
A very easy yet enlightening course.. Doug is a great professor..funny too! Assignments were very easy and fun to do.. got a lot to learn in a short time... Great course!
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
What is the refund policy?
Is financial aid available?
More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.
