Modern Scottish Poetry introduces the work of major Scottish poets from the 1960s to the 21st century, such as Edwin Morgan, Norman MacCaig, Liz Lochhead and Jackie Kay. The course is an enquiry into different forms of poetry, lyrical, autobiographical, science fiction, sound poetry, feminist poetry, polemical poetry, 'local' poetry, poems of love and politics. Close readings of individual poems are complemented by consideration of the national and international contexts.

1 x 1hr Lecture per week over 10 weeks as scheduled on MyCampus and

1 x 1hr Seminar per week over 10 weeks as scheduled on MyCampus.

This is one of the Honours options in Scottish Literature and may not run every year. The options that are running this session are available on MyCampus.

None

The standard assessments for this course are:  

■ Bibliography (1000 words): 25% 

■ Review essay (1000 words): 25% 

■ Essay (2000 words): 50% 

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available: 

■ There are no alternatives to the assessments, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustment (Students should follow the usual process for extensions). 

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.  

This course aims to:

■ Examine the development of Scottish poetry through the 20th century;

■ Understand the main themes and the achievements of individual poets in the field;

■ Develop confidence and skill in the literary analysis of poems in the period;

■ Enhance understanding of the relation of poetry to political and historical events of the period.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ write knowledgeably on the work of major poets of the period;

■ articulate major distinctions of form, subject, language and prevailing imageries in the work of poets of the period;

■ be confident in the application of literary analysis in reading the poetry of the period;

■ engage with arguments of national identity and literary expressions of modernity in the poetry of the period.