English Poetry
“To look at a thing is very different from seeing a thing. One does not see
anything until one sees its beauty. Then, and then only, does it come into
existence” --- Oscar Wilde.
Course objective：
This course aims to provide a (selectively) generic, thematic introduction to
English poetry with particular emphasis on the medieval, Romantic poetry, which
invites us into a context where poets simultaneously lived and created a crucial
watershed moment in literary history, where “literature is the great engine by
which […] all civilized states must ultimately be supported or overthrown.”
Course Description and Content：
1). Each lecture will be divided into two parts; the first will be on the analysis
of selected poems; the second will be focused on the important intellectual,
cultural and stylistic currents that bear directly or indirectly upon the literary
production.
2). Tentative Course Schedule (欲修習本課程的同學，請盡量不要缺席，尤其是開學前三周，請
勿錯過):
Week 1 Introduction and orientation
Week 2-8 Themes, poetic genres and poetry
1. Texts and contexts; selected readings
2. Literary forms and poetic genres; Problematics of Imitation; selected readings
3. Background readings; Poetry readings; Analysis of poetical texts; selected
readings
Week 9 Mid-term exam
Week 10-14 Poetic concepts and poetry
1. Texts and contexts; selected readings
2. Poetic concepts and poetry; Problematics of epistemology; selected readings
3. Poetry readings; Analysis of poetical texts; selected readings
Week 15-16 Final presentation/term paper
*This schedule is susceptible to change.
Tentative Evaluation:
class attendance, participation, learning attitude, tests and assignments (weekly
readings) 40 %,
mid-term exam 30%,
final presentation/term paper 30%
Text Book:
Greenblatt, Stephen, et al. The Norton Anthology of English Literature-The
MajorAuthors, 10th ed. New York: W.W. Norton Company. 2019.
Main Reference Book:
Abrams, M. H. and Harpham, Geoffrey Galt. Glossary of Literary Terms, 10th ed.
Wadsworth, 2012.