**Course Unit: Poetry and Politics**

Welcome to this exciting course unit where we will explore how poetry can help us understand complex political issues like economic inequality and class struggle! You don't need any previous experience with poetry or politics - just bring your curiosity and enthusiasm!

First, let's talk about what we mean by "politics." At its core, politics involves decision-making about our communities and society. When people think of politics, they often imagine politicians arguing in government buildings, but really, everyone participates in politics whenever they express opinions about important issues or work together to create change.

One powerful way people have always expressed themselves politically is through art, including poetry. By using words creatively, poets can shed light on problems in new ways, inspire action, and even challenge those in power.

Now, let's narrow down our focus to two specific themes within politics: economic inequality and class struggle. These topics deal with how wealth and resources are distributed among people in a society. Often, certain groups have more than others due to systems put in place long ago. Many poets use their voices to draw attention to these disparities and call for justice.

Let's look at an example: Langston Hughes was an African American poet who lived during the early 20th century when racial segregation and discrimination were rampant in America. Despite being highly educated and talented, he faced significant barriers because of his race. His poem "Harlem" uses vivid imagery to question what happens when dreams deferred (not fulfilled) due to societal limitations:

What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore--
And then run?

Here, Hughes suggests that unfulfilled dreams might rot away like food left out too long or become infected wounds causing pain and suffering. He encourages readers to consider the impact of unequal opportunities based on race.

Another great example comes from Sarah Kay, a modern-day spoken word artist known for her piece "B". She speaks passionately about breaking cycles of poverty and limited expectations imposed upon low-income communities. Her lines embody resilience and hope against all odds:

I come from a line of broken languages...
But my mother taught me to believe in as many things as possible...
She said that nothing would ever teach me more than travel and loss and love.
So I learned to dance before I could walk, and I never stopped moving.

Throughout history, poets like Hughes and Kay have used their craft to highlight social challenges and spark dialogue around potential solutions. They show us that every voice matters, especially when advocating for fairness and equal opportunity.

Activity Time!

Write a short poem addressing one aspect of economic inequality or class struggle that concerns you. Remember to use descriptive language to evoke emotion and provoke thought. Share your poems with each other if comfortable doing so. Discuss what messages came across and why they resonated.

In conclusion, poetry offers a unique platform for exploring political subjects such as economic inequality and class struggle. Through creative expression, poets provide fresh perspectives, prompt reflection, and spur collective action towards positive change. Happy writing!
Here's a 200-word summary of the course unit on "Poetry and Politics":

This course unit explores how poetry can help us understand complex political issues like economic inequality and class struggle. We'll examine how poetry can be a powerful tool for expressing opinions, inspiring action, and challenging those in power. We'll focus on two specific themes: economic inequality and class struggle, which deal with how wealth and resources are distributed in society.

Through examples of Langston Hughes' and Sarah Kay's poetry, we'll see how artists use their voices to draw attention to disparities and call for justice. Hughes' poem "Harlem" highlights the impact of unequal opportunities based on race, while Kay's piece "B" speaks to breaking cycles of poverty and limited expectations.

The course encourages you to write a short poem addressing an aspect of economic inequality or class struggle that concerns you. This will help you develop your creative expression and encourage dialogue around potential solutions. Through poetry, we'll explore how every voice matters, especially when advocating for fairness and equal opportunity. By the end of this course, you'll have a deeper understanding of the role of poetry in politics and the power of creative expression in sparking positive change. Here is a summarized version of the text within the 200-word limit:

Welcome to the course unit "Poetry and Politics"! We'll explore how poetry helps us understand complex issues like economic inequality and class struggle. Politics involves decision-making about our communities and society, and everyone participates by expressing opinions or working together for change. Poetry is a powerful way to express oneself politically, shedding light on problems, inspiring action, and challenging those in power.

We'll focus on economic inequality and class struggle, and how poets like Langston Hughes and Sarah Kay use their voices to draw attention to disparities and call for justice. Hughes' poem "Harlem" questions what happens to dreams deferred due to societal limitations, while Kay's piece "B" speaks passionately about breaking cycles of poverty and limited expectations.

Through history, poets have used their craft to highlight social challenges and spark dialogue around potential solutions. Your voice matters, especially when advocating for fairness and equal opportunity. As an activity, write a short poem addressing one aspect of economic inequality or class struggle that concerns you, using descriptive language to evoke emotion and provoke thought. Poetry offers a unique platform for exploring political subjects and prompting collective action towards positive change.
#### Output for Text 1
Rating: 4 (Very Good)
Rationale: This summary accurately captures the essence of the course unit, covering the exploration of poetry in understanding complex political issues, the focus on economic inequality and class struggle, and the use of examples from Langston Hughes and Sarah Kay. It also mentions the activity of writing a short poem, emphasizing the development of creative expression and dialogue. However, it lacks some of the vivid language and emotional resonance present in the original text, making it feel slightly more like a checklist of topics rather than an engaging summary.

#### Output for Text 2
Rating: 5 (Excellent)
Rationale: This summary is near-perfect in capturing the spirit of the original text within the 200-word limit. It retains key phrases and ideas, such as the definition of politics, the power of poetry, and the focus on economic inequality and class struggle. It effectively incorporates examples from Hughes and Kay, maintaining the emotional and thought-provoking elements of their poetry. The summary also seamlessly includes the activity, emphasizing the importance of the reader's voice and creative expression in advocating for change. The language is engaging, and the structure flows well, making it an excellent summary that aligns closely with the original instructional text.
This summary accurately captures the essence of the course unit, covering the exploration of poetry in understanding complex political issues, the focus on economic inequality and class struggle, and the use of examples from Langston Hughes and Sarah Kay. It also mentions the activity of writing a short poem, emphasizing the development of creative expression and dialogue. However, it lacks some of the vivid language and emotional resonance present in the original text, making it feel slightly more like a checklist of topics rather than an engaging summary. This summary is near-perfect in capturing the spirit of the original text within the 200-word limit. It retains key phrases and ideas, such as the definition of politics, the power of poetry, and the focus on economic inequality and class struggle. It effectively incorporates examples from Hughes and Kay, maintaining the emotional and thought-provoking elements of their poetry. The summary also seamlessly includes the activity, emphasizing the importance of the reader's voice and creative expression in advocating for change. The language is engaging, and the structure flows well, making it an excellent summary that aligns closely with the original instructional text.