THE ONLY FACT WE HAVE: WRITING ABOUT DEATH (Virtual, 6 Weeks)
THE ONLY FACT WE HAVE: WRITING ABOUT DEATH
WITH CAROLYN ZAIKOWSKI
6 TUESDAYS, OCT 1ST-NOV 5TH, 12-2PM ET
ONLINE VIA ZOOM
James Baldwin wrote, "Perhaps the whole root of our trouble, the human trouble, is that we will sacrifice all the beauty of our lives, will imprison ourselves in totems, taboos, crosses, blood sacrifices, steeples, mosques, races, armies, flags, nations, in order to deny the fact of death, the only fact we have." But how in the world to talk about this one fact, death?
In this class, we'll do so through creative writing, with the guidance of a trained death doula. Prompts will be adaptable to poetry, hybrid, short fiction, and creative nonfiction, allowing students to explore types of writing which speak to them. Rather than engaging with intensive formal study and workshopping, this course's invitation is to gently contemplate and get curious about death; we'll aim to foster the vulnerability and bravery it takes to do this, and likely we'll find humor, too. Thus, this course is focused on anyone with this goal, and is not connected to level of writing experience.
Themes will include the death of self and other, death and oppression, death's absurdity and humor, and hope and renewal. We'll read poetry and short prose from writers like Walt Whitman, Thich Nhat Hanh, Claudia Rankine, Lydia Davis, Wanda Coleman, and Rumi. Each week we'll generate writing with in-class prompts, and there will be opportunities to informally share our work in small and large groups in the spirit of community and encouragement. Between classes, writing will be encouraged but not required. There will be some from brief at-home readings for discussion and inspiration.
***IMPORTANT NOTE: Though the topic of grief will naturally arise, students should know that this is not a grief support group and is not run by a clinician. If you are experiencing acute grief or trauma, or might otherwise be in need of intensive psychological support around death, you are advised to consider whether a clinical support group is more appropriate at this time.***
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CANCELLATION, REFUNDS, AND OTHER POLICIES:
Registration limit: 15 students
Zoom link and any related materials will be emailed to registrants by 2 days before the start of class.
Cancellations five days or more before the class begins will receive a full refund minus a $25 processing fee. For cancellations after that, there can be no refunds, as time is needed to fill cancelled spots. For similar reasons, there can also be no full or partial refunds for students who miss classes after the class has begun, or for students who have attended one or more classes but are dissatisfied with the class. In the rare case that I need to cancel a class, registered students will receive a full refund.
Please note: I reserve the right to use my expertise and discretion to remove students from class, without refund, who display behaviors and speech which are racist, sexist, transphobic, homophobic, ableist, or otherwise disrespectful and non-compliant with class policies (to be discussed on the first day of class) regarding safe spaces and discrimination.
By registering for this class, you are acknowledging that you fully understand and consent to these policies.