We will be reading a wide range of poetry, from oral poetry and ballads to many of the canonical figures to contemporaries of varying stripes. In addition, we'll read a number of the major statements in poetics, from Aristotle to Shelley to the contemporary avant-garde. This field, obviously huge, will be focused by continual reference to Modernist through contemporary writing, where histories of primary and long lasting questions continue to surface. Does poetry derive from divine inspiration or personal imagination or collective deliberation? Was Plato right in kicking the poets out of his Republic? Is poetry civilized or elemental? Is it still relevant?
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: None
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