LIT 356 Advanced Seminar in Poetry Study + Internship in Prague Program Spring 2017 Semester

The course spans the 20th century, with an emphasis on the interconnectedness among different strains of American poetry, including Modernism, the Harlem Renaissance, the Confessional Poets, the New York School and the Beats. The dominant theme will be the difference between "raw," or informal, subversive poetry, and "cooked," or formal, traditional poetry. Through this lens, the course will examine 20th century American poetry as a continuous lineage. The syllabus includes five non-American poets whose work will be examined to identify international influences on the American idiom. Readings will be supplemented with critical essays, film clips and audio recordings intended to convey a fuller, more concrete impression of the life and times of each poet presented. Students will emerge with a more comprehensive understanding of 20th century American poetry and, hopefully, a deeper appreciation of it.