Topics in American Poetry
Lisa Myers profile
T 6:30-9:10
This course will provide a grounding in 20th century American poetry.
Beginning with two great 19th century innovators, Dickinson and
Whitman, we will examine the tensions between strict, traditional
forms and newer, freer ones; between accepted poetic aesthetics and
the search for "what will suffice," (Wallace Stevens), and discover
what meets modern needs in modern circumstances. We will read a broad
range of poets, up to and including our contemporaries. No previous
experience with poetry is necessary; one purpose of this course is to
overcome students' "poetry anxiety" by furnishing them with the tools
of the poetry reader's trade, enabling them to read poetry on their on
their own with confidence as well as enjoyment.
updated 2006-03-29
