EN3216 Modern Experimental Poetry

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 9

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

12.00 noon - 2.00 pm Mon

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr O R Hazzard

Dr O R Hazzard
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Oliver Hazzard (ORH)

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

The module examines some of the most innovative and provocative poets of the postwar period. The aims are to attain a sense of the most significant poetic movements of the postwar period; to examine the prevalence and value of transatlantic poetic exchange; to observe how large and complex aesthetic developments can be detected in the specifics of individual oeuvres and friendships; to relate the acts of poetic composition and critical reception to relevant broader questions of a historical, philosophical or political nature; and to develop the skills of very close reading the texts we will discuss demand. The module consists of one weekly two-hour seminar. Normally, seminars will centre on the work of two or more poets, and the emphasis will be on close reading and critical analysis; we will discuss the critical reception of the work, as well as looking at first-hand accounts of their practice from the poets themselves, and working toward an understanding of the historical and cultural moments in which the poets worked. We will be looking to establish points of continuity or disagreement between poets as the idea of formal 'experimentalism' or 'innovation' or 'otherness' alters according to time and place. (Group E)

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE EN2004

Assessment pattern

2-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%

Re-assessment

exam = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1 x 2-hour seminar

Scheduled learning hours

20

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

280

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the role, diversity and socio-political context of modern, experimental British and American poetry.
  • Demonstrate a knowledge of the major theories and controversies that inform the composition and reception of often challenging and provocative texts.
  • Demonstrate a critical knowledge of the works of selected individual poets, a good understanding of the historical and cultural contexts in which they were working, and a thorough knowledge of poetic forms and techniques.
  • Analyse the practice and socio-cultural importance of poetry, both past and present.
  • Develop more general critical and editorial tools which students can employ in their own study and research.