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ENG372Arts3 Unitsintermediate

English Poetry

This course introduces students to the rich history and diverse traditions of English poetry, spanning from the Anglo-Saxon period to the 20th century. It explores the works of prominent English, Scottish, Welsh, and Irish poets, examining their major themes, literary techniques, and cultural contexts. Students will gain an understanding of movements such as the Renaissance, Romanticism, and Modernism, while developing analytical skills to interpret and appreciate the nuances of English poetry.

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120h
Study Time
13
Weeks
9h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
English PoetryLiterary MovementsPoetic TechniquesAnglo-Saxon PoetryRenaissance Poetry

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
📚
Math Level
No Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Anglo-Saxon Poetry

2

Renaissance Poetry

3

Metaphysical Poetry

4

Restoration Poetry

5

Romantic Poetry

6

Victorian Poetry

7

20th Century Poetry

Total Topics7 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assessments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Literary Critic

Apply your skills in this growing field

English Teacher

Apply your skills in this growing field

Content Writer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Editor

Apply your skills in this growing field

Journalist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

EducationPublishingJournalismMediaArts and Culture

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: The Earliest English Poetry and the Anglo-Norman Period

2h

Unit 1: Background to the Earliest English Poetry

2 study hours
  • •Read the unit introduction to understand the Anglo-Saxon settlement of Britain and its impact on the English language.
  • •Identify the factors that led to the emergence of England and its poetry.
  • •Examine the significance of wars in shaping the history and language of England.
Week
2

Module 1: The Earliest English Poetry and the Anglo-Norman Period

2h

Unit 2: Beowulf and the Earliest English Epic

2 study hours
  • •Define the characteristics of an epic poem and identify epic qualities in Beowulf.
  • •Analyze Beowulf's conquests, history, and cultural significance.
  • •Examine the literary style of Beowulf, including alliterative verse and kennings.
Week
3

Module 1: The Earliest English Poetry and the Anglo-Norman Period

2h

Unit 3: The Battle of Maldon

2 study hours
  • •Define heroic poetry and its characteristics.
  • •Discuss The Battle of Maldon as a heroic poem, focusing on the deeds of Byrhtnoth.
  • •Analyze the heroic style in The Battle of Maldon, including dramatic and formal elements.
Week
4

Module 1: The Earliest English Poetry and the Anglo-Norman Period

2h

Unit 4: Chaucer's Poetry

2 study hours
  • •Relate Chaucer's biography to his poetry.
  • •Discuss the nature of Chaucer's poetry and its departure from Anglo-Saxon traditions.
  • •Assess the style of Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales, including its narrative structure and characterization.
Week
5

Module 2: The Renaissance Poetry

2h

Unit 1: What is Renaissance?

2 study hours
  • •Explain the meaning of Renaissance and its impact on European intellectual life.
  • •Discuss the features of Renaissance, including humanism, realism, and secularism.
  • •Describe the nature of the English Renaissance and its key figures.
Week
6

Module 2: The Renaissance Poetry

2h

Unit 2: Elizabethan Poetry

2 study hours
  • •Identify the key developments in Elizabethan poetry, including themes, models, and verse forms.
  • •Examine the works of Humfrey Gifford and other Elizabethan poets.
  • •Discuss the style of Elizabethan poetry, including iambic meters and courtly poems.
Week
7

Module 2: The Renaissance Poetry

2h

Unit 3: Shakespearean Sonnets

2 study hours
  • •Summarize the biography of William Shakespeare.
  • •Discuss Shakespearean sonnets and their themes of time, beauty, and love.
  • •Explain the Shakespearean style of sonnets, including iambic pentameter and rhyme scheme.
Week
8

Module 2: The Renaissance Poetry

2h

Unit 4: Metaphysical Poetry

2 study hours
  • •Explain who the metaphysical poets were and their characteristics.
  • •Discuss the poetry of John Donne as being metaphysical, focusing on wit and conceits.
  • •Examine the works of Andrew Marvell as metaphysical poetry, including "To His Coy Mistress."
Week
9

Module 3: English Poetry in the Restoration and 18th Century

2h

Unit 1: Satire in the 18th Century

2 study hours
  • •Discuss satire as a literary tool in the 18th century.
  • •Explain the nature of satire and its various techniques.
  • •Analyze the use of satire in 18th-century England, including the works of Pope and Swift.
Week
10

Module 3: English Poetry in the Restoration and 18th Century

2h

Unit 2: 18th Century Classicism

2 study hours
  • •Discuss Neoclassicism as an art movement in England.
  • •Identify the features of Neoclassicism, including reason, balance, and order.
  • •Explain the nature of poetry during the Neoclassical period, focusing on Dryden and Pope.
Week
11

Module 3: English Poetry in the Restoration and 18th Century

2h

Unit 3: John Dryden's Poetry

2 study hours
  • •Discuss the brief history of John Dryden and his political allegories.
  • •Analyze Dryden's "Absalom and Achitophel" and its historical context.
  • •Examine Dryden's use of satire and allegory in his poetry.
Week
12

Module 3: English Poetry in the Restoration and 18th Century

2h

Unit 4: Alexander Pope's Poetry

2 study hours
  • •Discuss the life of Alexander Pope and his contributions to English poetry.
  • •Explain the style of Pope's poetry, including heroic couplets and satire.
  • •Analyze Pope's "The Rape of the Lock" as a mock-heroic poem.
Week
13

Module 4: English Poetry and the Romantic Movement

2h

Unit 1: Background to the Romantic Movement

2 study hours
  • •Discuss the historical background of the Romantic period.
  • •Explain the literary overview of the period, including key themes and characteristics.
  • •Discuss the nature of the English Empire during the Romantic era.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create a timeline of major English poetry periods and movements, noting key poets and their works.

2

Develop concept maps linking themes, techniques, and historical contexts for each movement.

3

Practice analyzing poems from each period, focusing on meter, rhyme scheme, and figurative language.

4

Review the biographies of major poets, paying attention to their influences and historical context.

5

Prepare detailed notes on key poems, including summaries, analyses, and critical interpretations.

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