Unit information: Creative Writing: Poetry in 2021/22

Unit name	Creative Writing: Poetry
Unit code	ENGL20051
Credit points	20
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Dr. Wootten
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	none
Co-requisites	none
School/department	Department of English
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

On this unit, we shall learn and practice the craft of poetry writing by studying and endeavouring to master a range of traditional and modern poetic forms and techniques. We shall attend to such matters as rhyme, repetition, metre, imagery, diction, punctuation, line break, sonnet form, the different types of free verse and the similarities and differences between song lyrics and poems. We shall be examining, and on occasion imitating, a wide range of poetic examples, ancient and modern, from English and other literatures. So while students will be encouraged to develop their own voice as poets, they should also be prepared to attempt a variety of technically demanding exercises and to enter into productive dialogue with poetic tradition. There will be considerable opportunity to discuss and reflect critically upon students’ poetry throughout the course.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. demonstrate a working knowledge of a variety of metres;
2. employ a variety of traditional and modern verse forms;
3. employ different types of free verse;
4. demonstrate a practical understanding of a wide range of poetic tropes and techniques;
5. examine critically their own and others’ poetic practice.

Teaching Information

Teaching will involve asynchronous and synchronous elements, including group discussion, research and writing activities, and peer dialogue. Students are expected to engage with the reading and participate fully with the weekly tasks and topics. Learning will be further supported through the opportunity for individual consultation.

Assessment Information

Summative

• 2000 words, of which c. 300 words should be poems composed during the course; the remainder of the submission should be a writing journal (40%) [ILOs 1-5]
• 3000 words, of which 600-900 words should be poems written on the course; the remainder of the submission should be a writing journal (60%) [ILOs 1-5]

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. ENGL20051).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.