In this course, we will try to trace these strands over as broad a range of American poetry as possible, from the Puritans to the contempory era. In addition, as a substantial portion of the work of the class, you will be asked to construct a graphic representation of American poetry as a whole, linking poems, authors, ideas and themes as appropriate to indicate the complex interconnections within American poetry. The only required text is The New Oxford Book of American Verse , edited by Richard Ellman. Heavy though it is, please bring this book with you to class every day. You should expect to spend a significant amount of time in the computer lab in Buck 204 and a certain amount of time in the library.
Attendance is required.
I will decide penalties for excessive absences on a case by case basis, but normally you should expect that more than four absences for any reason, including illness and university-sponsored activities, will lower your final grade. Unless otherwise indicated, page numbers refer to The Oxford Book of American Verse . A Fireside poet reading nature, and two English sources. Transcendentalism and its aftermath. Week 5 catch-up week.