Module: Poetry: How & Why to Read it

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Poetry: How & Why to Read it
Module Code	LIT1019 (ITS: EL104)
Faculty	English	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

Through the study of a range of poetry, the fundamental aspects of poetry's affective and intellectual appeal will be analysed. Students will apply theoretical and practical knowledge of poetic devices and techniques to three ‘case study’ poets.

Learning Outcomes

1. Communicate a fundamental knowledge of how poetry's word-music is generated
2. Show an understanding of the other dimensions of poetry's sensory appeal
3. Demonstrate a knowledge of lineation and layout
4. Analyse the formal resources of poetry, with reference to sub-genres such as the dramatic monologue, pastoral, the lyric sequence and the narrative poem
5. Show a problematic understanding of the role of the poet in culture, and be alert to the power of a poetic persona
6. Respond aptly to the dynamism and range of poetry in critical language

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	21	No Description
Tutorial	3	No Description
Independent Study	101	No Description
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20647	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Jack Quin	Module Teacher	Michael Hinds

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Essay	n/a	100%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Rhythm and metre
Practical exercises with a range of poems to demonstrate rhythm

Rhyme
Practical exercises with a range of poems to demonstrate rhyme

Layout and lineation
Visual and concrete poetry, lineation

Creating pictures
The problematics of visualisation; ekphrasis

The dramatic monologue
Poems in ‘character’

Poetic Personae
The lyric self, poetic subjectivity

Case Studies
Applying the above to selections from different poets

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Greenblatt et al: 2007, The Norton Anthology of English Literature, 8th, W.W. Norton, New York,
John Lennard: 2006, The Poetry Handbook, Oxford, OUP,
Stephen Matterson and Daryl Jones: 2000, Studying Poetry,, Manchester: Bloomsbury Academic,
Christopher Ricks: 1984, The Force of Poetry,, Clarendon New York and Oxford,
Michael Schmidt: 1999, The Lives of the Poets, Random House New York,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None