COURSE SYLLABUS 2021-2022

English Poetry
in the 20th and 21st Centuries
(35337A)
1. GENERAL INFORMATION

Code: 35337
Subject : English Poetry in the 20th and 21st Centuries
Cycle: Grau
ECTS Credits: 6
Academic Year: 2021-2022

Type Module
Degree: English Studies Compulsory English Literature
Centre: Facultat de Filologia,
Traducció i Comunicació
Year: 3rd
Term: Second Term: 31/1/22-20/5/22
Group: A
Class Hours: Mondays, Thursdays 12-14h.
Classroom: 203

Lecturer: Departament:
Miguel Teruel Filologia Anglesa i Alemanya
Office Hours and Contact: Mondays 10-12, 16-17h; room 64; 963864149
[email protected]

2. SUMMARY

The course proposes a practical approach to poetic writing in English in the 20th and 21st
centuries, in search of the methods that may allow its discovery, reading, understanding and
commentary.
The texts to be explored in the course will be aimed at helping students
o to gain knowledge of the basic techniques and conventions of the writing of poems,
o to develop a critical awareness of the changing contexts and possibilities of poetic
writing,
o to locate individual works and authors in their historical and cultural context,
o to discuss their critical reception, and their translation,
o and to write their reading and critical experiences into academic essays.

3. PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE

3.1. Restrictions

3.2. Recommended previous knowledge

English at B2 level.
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ENGLISH POETRY IN THE 20TH AND 21ST CENTURIES (35337A)

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ENGLISH POETRY IN THE 20TH AND 21ST CENTURIES (35337A)

4. COMPETENCES

 The ability to assimilate knowledge in the field of linguistics and literary and cultural
studies based on specialized textbooks and also comprising aspects of the most
recent advances in the field. (C1)
 The ability to apply knowledge acquired in the field of linguistics and literary and
cultural studies within a variety of professional contexts using knowledge of the
work environment and of the resources designed to facilitate the students'
incorporation into the labour market. (C2)
 The ability to clearly define and defend one’s points of view and to resolve
problems within the area of linguistic and literary and cultural studies. (C3)
 The ability to gather and interpret relevant data in order to make judgements
concerning scientific, social or ethical issues with an appropriate respect for the
defence of Human Rights. (C4)
 The development of an ethical approach to issues such as gender equality, equal
opportunity, democratic values, non-violence, environmental and sustainability
problems as well as awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity. (C7)
 The ability to find, handle and synthesize bibliographical information and
information from databases and other electronic tools, including the use of Internet.
(C9)
 The acquisition of communicative and social competence in the English language
(listening and reading comprehension and written and oral expression,
communicative interaction and mediation, including grammatical and stylistic
correction) approaching the C2 level of the Common European Framework of
Reference for Languages. (C14)
 The ability to identify movements, periods, genres, authors and works in various
English-language literatures and to recognize their aesthetic conventions, modes of
production and reception and their place within the traditions of western and world
literatures. (C15)
 The ability to relate the geographical and historical aspects of the English-speaking
world and its most relevant institutions with contemporary culture and society.
(C16)
 Familiarity with the various approaches and methods in literary theory and criticism
and how they can be applied. (C22)
 Knowledge of the various techniques and methods of analysis of literary texts in
English and the ability to apply them to a variety of texts. (C26)
 The development of the critical ability to characterize, explain, interpret and assess
literary texts in English and to relate them to their respective literary and historical
contexts, and to apply this ability within a comparative perspective. (C27)
 A familiarity with the various processes involved in the English language and
culture industries. (C31)
 A comprehension of and ability to transmit scientific output in English in the area of
English studies. (C33)
 The ability to identify problems and research issues and evaluate their relevance in
the area of English studies. (C34)
 The ability to compare and contrast different aspects of studies in language and
literature and relate these studies with other areas and disciplines. (C35)

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ENGLISH POETRY IN THE 20TH AND 21ST CENTURIES (35337A)

5. LEARNING OUTCOMES

 Research and writing of essays on topics proposed by the lecturer or suggested by

students dealing with the authors, works and themes explored in the course.
 Research, amplification and synthesis of bibliographical and electronic sources
dealing with the authors, works and themes explored in the course.
 Comprehension and usage of concepts and practical skills related to aesthetic
conventions and their evolution, and to modes of production and reception of the
authors, works and themes explored in the course.
 Explanation, interpretation, critical revision and assessment of the authors, works
and themes explored in the course using various methodological approaches in
their respective cultural and historical contexts.
 Research and writing of stylistic commentaries of fragments, poems and
collections.
 Identification of pieces and assessment of their signification.
 Research and writing of reviews of the works, translations and creative elaborations
explored in the course.

6. CONTENTS

UNITS CONTENTS DATES

Mon. Thu.
Introduction: Methodology 31/1 3/2

1 Simon Armitage and the Contemporary Scene 7/2 10/2

14/2
2 Carol Ann Duffy and the Scottish Tradition 17/2
21/2
3 Seamus Heaney and the Irish Tradition 24/2
28/2 3/3
4 Ted Hughes & Sylvia Plath 7/3 10/3
21/3 24/3

5 Poetry and Pop Music 28/3 31/3

6 The Movement: Philip Larkin 4/4

7 Dylan Thomas and the Welsh Tradition 7/4

11/4
8 Poets of the Thirties: W. H. Auden 28/4
2/5
9 First World War Poetry 5/5

10 Modernism: 9/5 12/5

Ezra Pound and T. S. Eliot 16/5 19/5

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7. WORKLOAD

ACTIVITIES # Hours
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
Lectures 25
Practical classes 25
Total Classroom Activities 50

INDEPENDENT LEARNING ACTIVITIES

Reading for lectures and practical classes 25
Reading from lectures and practical classes 25
Preparation of evaluation activities 50
Total Independent Activities 100
TOTAL WORKLOAD 150
Total crèdits ECTS 6

8. TEACHING METHODOLOGY

Theory-based classes: Lectures and case studies (developing competences 1, 14,

15, 16, 22, 26, 27, 31).
Lectures will focus on clarification and discussion of key concepts and techniques for
students rather than on exposition of matter they can find in the dossiers and
bibliography. Consequently, students are expected to work on assigned tasks
(reading sections from course dossiers, answering questions set in advance) before
attending class.
Sessions: Introduction, contextual and technical explorations of the authors and works
studied.

Practical classes: Problem solving and case studies (developing competences 2, 3, 4,

7, 9, 14, 15, 16, 26, 27, 33, 34, 35).
Students will focus on key concepts and techniques extracted from the set readings.
Guidelines and suggestions for their papers and projects will be proposed and
debated.
Sessions: Extensive reading and discussion of the works studied.

Other activities: Tutorials for individual orientation in preparing papers and projects.

9. LEARNING ASSESSMENT

Students will be expected to hand in four written papers or projects dealing with
authors, poems or themes covered in the course, and to present them in a final oral
interview.
Contents and format of the papers should be agreed with the lecturer.
Papers may be written in any of the three official languages of the course.
Deadlines and details will be established and provided during the course.

Intended dates for final interviews:

1st session: 26/5, 30/5, 2/6, 6/6 2nd session: 20/6, 23/6, 27/6, 30/6

The final mark will take very much into account the active involvement of students in
the course, both in class and in tutorials, and their creativity.

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10. REFERENCES

10.1 Anthologies

 Adcock, Fleur (Ed.) 20th Century Women’s Poetry London: Faber, 1987.
 Armitage, Simon; Robert Crawford (Eds.) The Penguin Book of Poetry from Britain and
Ireland since 1945 London: Viking, 1998.
 Astley, Neil (Ed.) Staying Alive: Real Poems for Unreal Times Tarset: Bloodaxe, 2008.
 Bold, Alan (Ed.) Cambridge Book of English Verse: 1939-1975 Cambridge Univ. Press,
1977.
 Enright, D. J. (Ed.) The Oxford Book of Contemporary Verse: 1945-1980 Oxford Univ.
Press, 1981.
 Heaney, Seamus; Ted Hughes (Eds.) The Rattle Bag London: Faber, 1982.
 Heaney, Seamus; Ted Hughes (Eds.) The School Bag London: Faber, 1997.
 Larkin, Philip (Ed.) The Oxford Book of Twentieth-Century English Verse Oxford Univ.
Press, 1973.
 Morrison, Blake; Andrew Motion (Eds.) The Penguin Book of Contemporary British
Poetry Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1982.
 O’Brien, Sean (Ed.) The Firebox London: Picador, 1998.
 Rennison, Nick; Michael Schmidt (Ed.) Poets on Poets Manchester: Carcanet, 1997.
 Shapcott, Jo; Matthew Sweeney (Eds.) Emergency Kit: Poems for Strange Times
London: Faber, 2004.

10.2 Translations

 Abrams, D. S. (Ed.) Poesia anglesa i nord-americana contemporània Barcelona:

Edicions 62, 1994.
 Alonso, Dámaso (Ed.) Antología de poetas ingleses modernos Madrid: Gredos, 1963.
 Alvarez Amorós, J. A. (Tr.) Poetas “novísimos” ingleses Alicante: Instituto Juan Gil-
Albert, 1993.
 Cisneros, Antonio (Tr.) Antología de la poesía inglesa contemporánea Barcelona:
Barral, 1975.
 Díaz Borbón, Rafael (Ed.) Poetas británicos contemporáneos Madrid: Centro de
Estudios Poéticos Hispánicos, 1998.
 García Martín, J. L. (Tr.) Poesía inglesa del siglo XX Oviedo: Universo, 1993.
 López Beltrán, Carlos; Pedro Serrano (Eds.; Trs.) La generación del cordero México:
Trilce, 2000.

10.3 Critical Studies

 Bertram, Vicki (Ed.) Kicking Daffodils: Twentieth-Century Women Poets Edinburgh

Univ. Press, 1997.
 Childs, Peter The Twentieth Century in Poetry: A Critical Survey London: Routledge,
1999.
 Corcoran, Neil (Ed.) The Cambridge Companion to Twentieth-Century English Poetry
Cambridge Univ. Press, 2007.
 Curtis, Tony How To Study Modern Poetry Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 1990.
 Day, Gary; Brian Docherty (Eds.) British Poetry, 1900-1950: Aspects of Tradition
Basingstoke: Macmillan, 1995.
 Day, Gary; Brian Docherty (Eds.) British Poetry from the 1950s to the 1990s: Politics
and Art Basingstoke: Macmillan, 1997.

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 Fraser, G. S. Metre, Rhyme and Free Verse London: Routledge, 1991 (1970).
 Hamilton, Ian (Ed.) The Oxford Companion to Twentieth-Century Poetry Oxford Univ.
Press, 1994.
 Jeffries, Leslie The Language of Twentieth-Century Poetry London: Macmillan, 1993.
 Noel-Tod, Jeremy; Ian Hamilton (Eds.) The Oxford Companion to Modern Poetry
Oxford Univ. Press, 2013.
 Padel, Ruth 52 Ways of Looking at a Poem, or How Reading Modern Poetry Can
Change Your Life London: Vinatge, 2004.
 Peck, John; Martin Coyle How to Study a Poet London: Palgrave, 1988.
 Press, John A Map of Modern English Verse Oxford Univ. Press, 1969.
 Pujals, Esteban La poesía inglesa del siglo XX Madrid: SGEL, 1980.
 Roberts, Neil (Ed.) A Companion to Twentieth-Century Poetry Malden (MA): Blackwell,
2003.
 Schmidt, Michael Reading Modern Poetry London: Routledge, 1989.
 Shapiro, Karl English Prosody and Modern Poetry Folcroft (PA): Folcroft Library, 1975
 Thurley, Geoffrey The Ironic Harvest: English Poetry in the Twentieth Century London:
Arnold, 1974.
 Thwaite, Anthony Poetry Today: A Critical Guide to British Poetry, 1960-1995 London:
Longman, 1996.
 Verdonk, Peter (Ed.) Twentieth-Century Poetry: From Text to Context London:
Routledge, 1993.
 Willhardt, Mark; Alan Michael Parker (Eds.) Who’s Who in Twentieth-Century World
Poetry London: Routledge, 2000.

Additional bibliography for every individual author, updated references and electronic
resources will be indicated during the course.