Modern British Poetry (10 credit points)

Content of Course

1. Introduction.

2. English Poetry: The Movement (including Philip Larkin and Thom Gunn).

3. Ted Hughes.

4. Poetry and Class: Tony Harrison, Ian McMillan.

5. Simon Armitage.

6. Poetry and Ethnicity: Linton Kwesi Johnson, Grace Nichols, Jackie Kay, Sujata Bhatt, R. S. Thomas.

7. Wendy Cope and Sophie Hannah.

8. Scottish Poetry: Douglas Dunn, Edwin Morgan, Tom Leonard, Iain Crichton-Smith, Don Paterson, Liz Lochhead, Kathleen Jamie.

9. Carol Ann Duffy.

10. Public poetry.

Teaching method(s)

Short lectures and guided discussion of key texts.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students should be able to;

• Discuss and analyse poetry with confidence;

• Demonstrate an understanding of poetic technique and form;

• Understand how poetry can be used to explore identity and difference;

• Show a broad knowledge of the concerns and styles of modern British poetry.

Sources

Core Readings

Essential:

• Alvarez, A. 1966. The New Poetry: an Anthology.  Hammondsworth: Penguin

• Morrison, B. Motion, A. 1982. The Penguin Book of Contemporary British Poetry. Hammondsworth: Penguin

• Armitage, A. Crawford, R. 1998. The Penguin Book of Poetry from Britain and Ireland since 1945. London: Viking

Recommended:

• Broom, S. 2005. Contemporary British and Irish Poetry: An Introduction. London: Palgrave.

• Carper & Atteridge. 2003. Meter and Meaning: An Introduction to Rhythm in Poetry. London: Routledge.

• Fenton, James. 2003. An Introduction to English Poetry. Harmondsworth: Penguin.

• Fry, Stephen. 2007. The Ode Less Travelled. London: Arrow.

• Eagleton, T. 2006. How to Read a Poem. Cambridge: Wiley-Blackwell.

As the course draws on a very diverse range of poetry it is difficult to recommend published texts for purchase. In order to ensure everyone has access to all the chosen material, the tutor will prepare hand-outs in advance, which include copies of all of the essential reading for the 10 weeks.

Class Handouts

To include discussion questions in advance, summary of topics and relevant critical and historical material where appropriate.

Assessments

10 credit courses have one assessment. Normally, the assessment is a 2000 word essay, worth 100% of the total mark, submitted by week 12. To pass, students must achieve a minimum of 40%. There are a small number of exceptions to this model which are identified in the Studying for Credit Guide.

Studying for Credit

If you choose to study for credit you will need to allocate significant time outwith classes for coursework and assessment preparation. Credit points gained from this course can count towards the Certificate of Higher Education.

Queries

If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email COL@ed.ac.uk or by phone 0131 650 4400.

Student support

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or health condition which may affect your studies, please let us know by ticking the 'specific support needs' box on your course application form. This will allow us to make appropriate adjustments in advance and in accordance with your rights under the Equality Act 2010. For more information please visit the Student Support section of our website.