Writing the Long Poem: Introduction and Workshop



Overview

Appropriately, the long poem has a long history: not just the epic, but any poem that extends itself, overflows, has more to say. The first long poems were oral performances, feats of memory and delivery. Sociality (as opposed to the subjectivity of the lyric) is one continuing theme. Time is another. Then there is space, story, landscape.

We will start by breaking down what length means in a poem; extracts from longer poems will be shared and discussed. I will encourage students to read at least one book-length poem (this does not have to be limited to the list I supply). While an awareness of the past will be helpful, we will look mainly at recent and contemporary long poems.

In order to aid group cohesion and knowledge, I will initially ask students to make presentations on any published long poem (not by themselves).  From Week 4, we will combine the reading and discussion of existing long poems (themes listed in the programme) with those that students are working on, in a supportive and moderated workshop format. Reading will be sent a week in advance.

Programme details

Courses starts: 24 Jan 2024

Week 1: Breaking down the long poem. Sequence or flow?

Week 2: Do long poems have to be long? The contemporary long poem.

Week 3: Student presentations on their reading.

Week 4: Do long poems have to tell a story? Form, content.

Week 5: Modes of address. 

Week 6: Thematic cohesion. These fragments.

Week 7: Subjectivity and voice. The life poem.

Week 8: Polyphony and intertextuality.

Week 9: How to maintain the interest of readers.

Week 10: Editing. Consistency. Making your work publishable.

Certification

Students who register for CATS points will receive a Record of CATS points on successful completion of their course assessment.

To earn credit (CATS points) you will need to register and pay an additional £10 fee per course. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online.

Coursework is an integral part of all weekly classes and everyone enrolled will be expected to do coursework in order to benefit fully from the course. Only those who have registered for credit will be awarded CATS points for completing work at the required standard.

Students who do not register for CATS points during the enrolment process can either register for CATS points prior to the start of their course or retrospectively from the January 1st after the current full academic year has been completed. If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee.

Fees

Description Costs
Course Fee £269.00
Take this course for CATS points £10.00

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:

Concessionary fees for short courses

Tutor

Dr Giles Goodland

Giles Goodland has published several books of poetry and has taught for the OUDCE for several years. Many of his books have been long poems or sequences. His most recently published poem, Of Discourse, is 300 pages.

Course aims

The aim of this course is that you will become knowledgeable in and enthusiastic about long poems, and you will be writing your own.

Course objectives:

  • By the end of the course, you will be able to discuss a range of long poems, and be informed about the challenges and varieties of the long poem. 
  • You will be able to apply your knowledge of long poems in creating your own long poem.
  • You will be at least part way through writing your own long poem. 

 

Teaching methods

Most classes will start with a lecture and presentation, followed by a seminar-type discussion. From week 4, there will be an hour (or more) of workshopping, along with guided discussion of other long poems. Students will be invited to make their own presentations.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will be expected to:

  • be familiar with a range of longer poems;
  • be confident in discussing long poems;
  • be working on their own long poem.

 

Assessment methods

Assessment will be through in-class formative presentations, and through the submission of a long poem or  section of a long poem, or an essay on long poetry (max. length 1,500 words).

Students must submit a completed Declaration of Authorship form at the end of term when submitting your final piece of work. CATS points cannot be awarded without the aforementioned form - Declaration of Authorship form

Application

To earn credit (CATS points) for your course you will need to register and pay an additional £10 fee per course. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online.

Please use the 'Book' or 'Apply' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an enrolment form (Word) or enrolment form (Pdf).

Level and demands

Most of the Department's weekly classes have 10 or 20 CATS points assigned to them. 10 CATS points at FHEQ Level 4 usually consist of ten 2-hour sessions. 20 CATS points at FHEQ Level 4 usually consist of twenty 2-hour sessions. It is expected that, for every 2 hours of tuition you are given, you will engage in eight hours of private study.

Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS)

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support