This course surveys major poetic genres in 19th century British and early 20th-century transatlantic Anglophone literature, exploring the characteristics of Victorian and Modernist writing. Genres to be explored include: ballad, dramatic monologue, portrait and ekphrasis, song, elegy, sonnet, and varieties of the long poem. We will read a wide range of poets (see attached sample syllabus from 2023)

Course goals include: 

• Develop familiarity and fluency with Victorian and Modern(ist) poetry from the 1830's to the 1940's, recognizing and interrogating critical categories of periodization and genre.
• Practice literary analysis through research, discussion, oral presentation, critical writing, and scholarly annotation leading to successful comprehensive exams and teaching as well as exploring areas for future research.