ENGL 243 A: Reading Poetry

If you want to learn to understand and enjoy poetry, this is the course for you.  Poetry is not a deep mystery full of hidden meanings and obscure symbols; it's written to be understood and enjoyed, and I will show you how to get the most out of it by teaching you a number of simple techniques that you've never heard of before.  We'll read poems from different historical periods, from the Renaissance to our own time.  You will write three 3-5 page papers, in which I'll ask you to put the techniques you've been learning to work on one or two short poems.