Course Description
Survey of 20th-century poetics. Readings include statements of poetics made by practitioners of the art, theoretical essays, manifestoes, and poems meant to serve as practical examples. Movements covered may include Russian and Italian Futurism, Surrealism, Negritude, Objectivism, the New York School, and the Black Arts Movement.
Athena Title
20th Century Poetics
Prerequisite
Two 2000-level ENGL courses or (one 2000-level ENGL course and one 3000-level ENGL course) or (one 2000-level ENGL course and one 2000-level CMLT course)
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Students will become familiar with the intellectual history of twentieth-century poetry. Though the reading is international in scope, each of the movements studied has been a major influence on the development of contemporary American poetry. Students will learn to analyze and critique complex theoretical and critical literary statements. Students will learn to write short critical summaries of theoretical and critical readings. At the end of the course, students, having read a substantial body of literature, will be able to discuss the assigned works (orally and in writing) with a considerable degree of critical sophistication.
Topical Outline
1. Symbolism and Imagism 2. Italian Futurism 3. Russian Futurism 4. Dadaism 5. Anglo-Modernism 6. Harlem Renaissance 7. Surrealism 8. Negritude 9. Black Mountain 10. Objectivism 11. New York School 12. Black Arts Movement