DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
1999-2000
During the first term we will read poems from the sixteenth century to the nineteenth century and pay close attention to metre, rhyme, stanzaic form, figurative language, and the resources that English as a language supplies poets. Mid-way through the course we will turn to twentieth-century poets from different regions of the English-speaking world.
Monday and Friday classes will normally be lecture-discussions.
Beginning on October 13, and on most Wednesdays afterwards, we will discuss one or two poems, an online commentary on each poem by class members, and shorter online responses to those commentaries by two other students. The analyses must be on the course bulletin board by the previous Friday; and the responses by the previous Monday. Everyone will be expected to have read these by Wednesday and be prepared to discuss them. I will take attendance.
This section will take full advantage of computer tools and databases. Besides Web editions like Representative Poetry On-line and the course bulletin board, students will use databases and text-analysis software available at Computing in the Humanities and Social Sciences (CHASS) and the Library. Some powerful tools have come available recently. They enable us to see the rich interplay of poetic traditions as well as patterns of meaning that have formerly eluded recognition and understanding.
Term projects and essays must be handed to me personally in class or date-stamped at the Porter's Lodge at Wetmore Hall on the date they are due. No e-mail submissions. Late work will be penalized 5% per day late.