Making it Modern: A Survey of 20th century poetry
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- Start Date: 13 Oct 2025End Date: 01 Dec 2025Mon (Evening): 18:00 - 20:00OnlineFull fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £142.00
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What is the course about?
This online literature course will deep-dive into the work of eight modern poets, including Marianne Moore, T. S. Eliot, Elizabeth Bishop, and Langston Hughes, probing what makes their poetry tick. The twentieth century saw the emergence of modernism as well as new takes on traditional forms: this course will allow us to explore a range of poetic responses to the events and pressures of the period. By the end of the course, you will have a more profound understanding of twentieth-century poetry.
What will we cover?
We will read poems by a range of twentieth-century writers, considering what makes each poet distinct, and distinctly modern. From what inspired modern poets to how these poets approached language and form, sessions will tease out the differences and communalities between writers of this period.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Confidently discuss individual modern poets as well as twentieth-century poetry more broadly
- Practice skilful close reading and analysis of poetry
- Talk with increased confidence about poetic form.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
No previous literary study is required. All you need is an enthusiasm for poetry, a willingness to read and discuss poems, and an openness to the views and ideas of others.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught through a mixture of tutor presentation, group discussion, small group activities, and close reading and analysis.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
The tutor will supply digital materials comprising the poems under discussion and any additional reading.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
The tutor will also be teaching the online course Ways into Poetry HLT368 on 4 October 2025. For other poetry courses please look under history, culture and writing/literature/poetry at www.citylit.ac.uk.
Suzannah V. Evans is a poet based in Bristol. She is the author of Brightwork and Marine Objects / Some Language (Guillemot Press, 2021 and 2020), and the editor of All Keyboards are Legitimate: Versions of Jules Laforgue (Guillemot Press, 2023). A selection of her work appears in the anthology New Poetries VIII (Carcanet, 2021). Her poetry has been broadcast on BBC Radio, performed at international festivals, and awarded a Northern Writers’ Award and the Ivan Juritz Prize for Creative Experiment. She completed her PhD in modern poetry at Durham University.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.