OBJECTIVES:   Our primary goal in this course will be to become keen and subtle readers of poetry by studying a select group of major poets writing in English during the first half of the twentieth century. We will focus on what is distinctive about these poets' voices and visions, how they rebel against and build on what other artists have done, and how their artistic responses to the social and cultural crises of their times have shaped our sense of what it means to be modern. Since this course fulfills an oral communications skills requirement, you will have many opportunities to further develop these skills through informal and formal presentations of your work as well as participation in ongoing class discussion.

TEXTS:   Jahan Ramazani, ed. Norton Anthology of Modern Poetry (3rd edition)
Additional poems, essays, and critical materials, as needed (xerox)

RECOMMENDED SITES

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REQUIREMENTS
A brief assignment on Yeats (two to three typed pages); responses to the poems (each approximately one typed page, i.e., 250-300 words), to be submitted at the beginning of each class session, unless otherwise stated, and in a portfolio at term's end; one 5-7 pp. paper and one 8-10 pp. research paper; two presentations, the first 5-7 minutes, the second 7-10 minutes, based on your papers for the course. The second presentation will take place during exam week and will substitute for a final exam. Click here for details on responses, papers, and presentations.

This course may be used to fulfill an oral skills requirement. You are expected to prepare the readings assigned for each session (including any assigned critical materials) and to take an active role in class discussion. Active participation includes introducing ideas, raising questions, and building upon or helping to clarify the responses of others. You may be asked to read your prepared responses aloud as well as the poems themselves. If you find it difficult to speak up in class, please come and talk with me as soon as possible. Presentations will be peer reviewed.