Module: Poetry: A User's Guide

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Poetry: A User's Guide
Module Code	LIT1022 (ITS: EL109)
Faculty	English	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

Through the study of a range of poetry and poetries, the fundamental aspects of poetry's affective and intellectual appeal will be analysed.

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. Analyse the formal resources of poetry
4. Show a problematic understanding of the role of the poet in culture, and be alert to the power of a poetic persona
5. Respond aptly to the dynamism and range of poetry in critical language

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	21	Two lectures per week
Tutorial	4	Class discussion in smaller groups
Independent Study	100	Reading of primary texts, study of secondary materials, completion of assignment work.
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20649	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

Section Breakdown
CRN	21314	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	Mid semester and end of semester assignments: including comparison exercises and evaluation of a case study poet.	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

Word-Music
Through reading a range of poems, students will learn how rhythm and meter shape the music of poetry

The Image
How poetry creates an image, and constructs a sense of sight. Other aspects of poetry's sensory capabilities will also be explored.

Identifying and differentiating Poetic Forms
Students will explore poetic form and sub-genre

The Poet
How poets perform, sometimes through the creation of a distinct poetic persona. A series of poets will be explored as case studies.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Greenblatt et al.: 2007, The Norton Anthology of English Literature, 8th ed., W.W. Norton, New York,
Walt Whitman: 0, Leaves of Grass,
Emily Dickinson: 0, Poems of Emily Dickinson, ed Franklin, Harvard, Cambridge MA,
Ciaran Carson: 0, Collected Poems, 978-193063045
Stephen Matterson and Daryl Jones: 0, Studying Poetry, Manchester,
Stephen Matterson and Michael Hinds (eds): 2004, Rebound :The American Poetry Book, Rodopi, New York,
Randall Jarrell: 1953, Poetry and the Age, Random House, New York,
Helen MacNeil (ed.): 1986, Emily Dickinson, J.M. Dent, London,
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