Rather than technical science writing, this course is an exploration of the possibilities of creative nonfiction and poetry to capture the majesty, complexity, and fragility of the confluence of sea and shore. It is open to the local community, summer visitors, and OCCC and OSU college students for credit. The short course has three foci:

1) poetic possibilities;
2) short prose, from mythic stories to meditations;
3) advocacy.

Over the course of a weekend, participants at the Oregon Coast will hear presentations by authors writing about the sea and shore.

On Friday evening, local singers and poets will present a variety of short poetic forms for students to explore --sea chanteys and ballads, surfer poetry, weathergrams, haiku and haibun. From these exercises, students will choose one poem to refine and bring to class the next day.

On Saturday morning, local storytellers and creative nonfiction writers will present a variety of short fiction and nonfiction forms for students to explore --mythic stories, flash fiction, lyric essays, and meditations. Students will choose one story or essay to refine and turn in for credit. Weather permitting, students will walk the beaches and bay for inspiration.

On Saturday afternoon, local scientists and journalists will present a variety of current oceanographic issues and strategies for advocacy, including letter-to-the-editor and Op Ed formats. Issues may range from local bay and beach pollution to Oregon Marine Reserves. Students will visit the resources of the Hatfield Marine Science Center Library.

After the concluding Saturday night reading and lecture, students will have one month to submit for credit three short pieces about sea and shore: one poem, one story or lyric essay, and one letter or essay of advocacy. A bibliography of masterful science prose writers writing about the sea, including E. O. Wilson, Rachel Carson, David Helvarg, and Sylvia Earle, will be provided.

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