“The everyday, the here and now, is perhaps the primary arena of human experience.”

—Andrew Epstein

In the period following the Second World War, fascination with everyday life emerged as what critic Adam Kirsch has called “one of the major poetic scripts of our time.” Confronted with rapid developments in media and communications technologies, along with broad social and cultural transformations, poets increasingly turned toward the routine intimacies of daily life in order to recuperate meanings in the midst of larger anxieties. Over the course of our time together, we will inquire further into the nature of this thematic preoccupation and ask: How and why did everyday life become a “script” that poets follow? Why does it remain so prevalent today? In what ways does poetry of this kind at times seek to retrieve a sacredness to daily life, at others to insist on its sheer ordinariness? Works by Jane Hirshfield, Bernadette Mayer, James Schuyler, and others will be examined.

This course is intended as a continuation of the Women’s Poetry series, but it is not necessary to have taken the Women's Poetry series to participate in this course. Readings will feature women poets, alongside other voices.

Please note that this course has a maximum enrollment of 16 students and that TMI does not allow participants to audit courses for free.

Location: Zoom

First Session: Wednesday January 15th, 2025

Course Length: 6 weeks, Wednesdays, 6:15 to 8:15 p.m.

Discussion Leaders: Imogen Brian, Claire English

Degree Credit: 1.5 credits

Total Course Fee: 

110.00 (New Students)
110.00 (Special Bring-A-Friend Promotion: For Returning Students who bring a New Student to TMI. Registration by phone.)*
155.00 (Returning Students)**

*Returning Students who bring a New Student to TMI get the special 110.00 price immediately if the New Student registers first. If the New Student has not yet registered, the regular 155.00 will be charged, and the discount will be refunded when the New Student registers. The discount can also be turned into a credit for a future course.

**Includes Standard Tuition + Admin Fee.

Course fees are refundable in full before the first session. After the first session, a fee of $50 for the withdrawal will be applied. Refunds will not be issued after the second session. Please note that non-attendance does not constitute a withdrawal.

Students pursuing studies for credit are encouraged to consult with their advisers as they register for courses.

Course leaders, and students wishing to use credit vouchers, should call (514) 935-9585 to pay by phone or to schedule an appointment to pay in person.