Maryann said
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and I'd like to steal syllabi and book lists.
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Yes, me too, if you get any pls pass them on to me.
As Rick pointed out, not everyone can attend MFA at universities. Some are putting their children through school, some have to support a family. Some, like me and many others, live in a foreign country, and though I am a big-time consumer of university courses (being fortunate to live near one) it hs no MFA in creative writing in English. I wish I'd had access to Eratosphere when I was young, but better late than never.
As you all know, there are distance-learning CW courses in English nowadays, even MFAs. Also low residencies. I have several English-speaking friends who are taking advantage of such opportunities.
The advantage with a university course is that you follow a curriculum and learn in a structured manner--or you won't pass the exams. In a workshop it is up to the individual--to learn or not to learn.
Though workshopping one's own poems is a learning experience, it is equally valuable to follow along in the comments in the other threads. That is why, IMO, it is important use a terminology that gives everyone an opportunity respond on specifics. That is also why I find frivolous praise counterproductive. (I hope to goodness that doesn't trigger another etiquette debate, please let's avoid that.)
The advantages of participating at Eratosphere) includes contact with like-minded, access to other ways of thinking, and a focused discourse.
So my answer would be "yes", workshopping is an excellent alternative for learning. Now I shall take my soapbox and go pontificate elsewhere.