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EL45FJ: THE SHOCK OF THE NOW: CONTEMPORARY POETRY (2022-2023)

Last modified: 31 May 2022 13:30


Course Overview

This course introduces students to contemporary poetry across its many forms and styles. We will investigate the place for poetry in contemporary culture, whether in poetry anthologies, slim volumes of verse, in performance, or on social media. Looking at a wide range of authors active from the turn of the millennium on, we will trace a genealogy for contemporary poetry, as informed by the legacies of modernism, and subsequent waves of poetic schools and movements. The course is strongly recommended for students with an interest in poetry, literary form, contemporary British and Irish writing, and creative writing.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 4
Term Second Term Credit Points 30 credits (15 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr David Wheatley

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Either Programme Level 4 or Programme Level 5
  • English (EL)
  • Any Undergraduate Programme

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

  • EL40FJ The Shock of Now: Contemporary Poetry (Passed)

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

The Shock of the Now is a proposed level 4 course devoted to the developing field of contemporary poetry. The robust health of contemporary poetry is often expressed in terms of its diversity, a diversity which can represent a challenge to readers in need of orientation. Focusing on poetry produced since the turn of the millennium, our approach will be wide-ranging. Topics covered will include: the role of anthologies; the state of the nation(s) and Brexit Britain’s uncertain future; the rise of ecopoetics; tradition, formalism and experiment; postcolonial British poetry; poetry, migration, and the poetic ‘resident alien’; politics and satire; new narratives of race and gender; the publishing scene; poetry and new and social media; framing the contemporary canon (who are its major figures). Nevertheless, our primary focus will be on the close reading of individual poems and collections of poems. Students will develop a broad range of critical responses to the work read, and will work on  individual and group projects as part of their course assessment.


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 50
Assessment Weeks 39 Feedback Weeks 42

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Feedback will be provided in writing

Word Count 2500
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseHone effective critical skills
ConceptualUnderstandDemonstrate understanding of contemporary poetry through engagement with criticism
FactualApplyAcquire and demonstrate knowledge of contemporary poetry in its various forms and contexts.
ProceduralApplyUnderstand contemporary poetry in the context of British and Irish politics and society
ProceduralCreateContribute to shaping evolving critical field

Oral Presentation: Individual

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 10
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Feedback will be provided in writing

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseHone effective critical skills
ConceptualUnderstandDemonstrate understanding of contemporary poetry through engagement with criticism
FactualApplyAcquire and demonstrate knowledge of contemporary poetry in its various forms and contexts.
ProceduralApplyUnderstand contemporary poetry in the context of British and Irish politics and society

Close Reading Exercise

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 30
Assessment Weeks 31 Feedback Weeks 34

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Feedback will be provided in writing

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseHone effective critical skills
ConceptualUnderstandDemonstrate understanding of contemporary poetry through engagement with criticism
FactualApplyAcquire and demonstrate knowledge of contemporary poetry in its various forms and contexts.
ProceduralApplyUnderstand contemporary poetry in the context of British and Irish politics and society

Tutorial/Seminar Participation

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 10
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Feedback will provided orally and in writing.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseHone effective critical skills
ConceptualUnderstandDemonstrate understanding of contemporary poetry through engagement with criticism
FactualApplyAcquire and demonstrate knowledge of contemporary poetry in its various forms and contexts.

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 100
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback Word Count 2500
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
FactualApplyAcquire and demonstrate knowledge of contemporary poetry in its various forms and contexts.
ConceptualUnderstandDemonstrate understanding of contemporary poetry through engagement with criticism
ProceduralApplyUnderstand contemporary poetry in the context of British and Irish politics and society
ConceptualAnalyseHone effective critical skills
ProceduralCreateContribute to shaping evolving critical field

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