English 385 Syllabus

Modernism was a social, cultural, and artistic movement with its roots in the 19th Century Industrial Revolution, scientific advances, the rise of Freudian psychology, and the escalations in military conflict that led to World Wars I and II. The story of art and literature in American and European traditions since 1900 reflects a wide variety of responses to, and new shapings of, this exciting and terrifying new world , with all of its new traditions and values. English 385 surveys American poetry in the Modernist tradition, including poetic developments since the 1970s, which are widely considered Post-modern. As you might imagine, the depth and breadth of this subject is daunting--scholars spend years, decades, whole careers exploring the world of American Poetry since 1900. Still, in 15 weeks of concentrated study, students can gain a sense of the landscape of American poetry, and can experience intense encounters with a number of challenging, fascinating poems.

Student Learning Outcomes, or Course Goals:

By the end of this course, the successful student will:

read poems successfully--with a feel for the conventions of poetry in the modern tradition and with a sense of personal connection to poetry. Note: by the time they enter English 385, all students should have been introduced to the basics of poetry in English 104. Many students will have other experience with poetry, either as a scholar or a creative writer. This class will not serve as an introduction to basic concepts like metaphor or the line-break.
write successfully about poetry in a variety of contexts--from explications of poems (essays that argue for the presence of a certain meaning or meanings in a poem), to essays that connect specific poems to critical concepts, to essays that draw on both poems and critical writings to assess a poet's career.
articulate complex critical ideas about poetry, both in class discussion and in course writing.
relate poetry and criticism to developments in other arts, science and technology, and other facets of culture.
dwell silently within poems that express extremely complex ideas or patterns that seem beyond the scope of meaning--understand the discipline art that surpasses meaning.
connect the academic study of poetry to communities of poets and writers outside the academy.

Course Policies:

— The Viterbo University Catalog stipulates that students who miss more than 15%

of class time (6 classes) due to unexcused absences may fail. Only absences due

to Viterbo-sponsored events are considered excused. Absences due to illness, family

responsibilities, vacations, etc. are unexcused. If you are absent and unexcused, you

may not make up any in-class assignments that you miss, you are responsible for turning

in any work due during the class you missed, and you are responsible for keeping up with

the class.

— Late work may be accepted with no penalty under extreme circumstances. Other late

work may be accepted with penalty or may not be accepted.

— Viterbo University policy applying to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability: “it is

the policy of Viterbo University to comply with the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans

With Disabilities Act and regulations issued thereunder to the extent applicable to

Viterbo University.”

Grading:

The course is based on a 1000 point system, with the grade breakdown as follows:

910-1000 A

880-909 AB

810-879 B

780-809 BC

700-779 C

600-699 D

below 600 F

Assignments:

Explication essay 100 points
Group presentation 100 points
New poets essay 150 points
~~Anthology project 200 points~~
Midterm exam 150 points
Final exam 200 points
Participation 100 points

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