The Department of English has launched the University of Illinois’ first lecture-based, massive open online course (MOOC) in American poetry.
The course, Modern American Poetry, is ideal for faculty, students, high school teachers and individuals around the world who have an interest in the topic. Almost 600 participants from 40 different countries enrolled within two days of the course preview being posted on Coursera.
The next offering of the course, is scheduled to begin May 9 (the first began on April 18.)
Using unique stylized presentations supplemented by photos, images, and readings, the course will take an in-depth look at individual poets, from the famous to nearly unknown, as well as poetic movements and subjects from the 1900s to the 1950s.
“American poetry is recognized collectively throughout the world as one of the most remarkable and influential bodies of literary work in human history, and its remarkable range of literary styles, subject matter and formal variety continues to surprise and inspire readers and writers everywhere,” said Cary Nelson, Jubilee Professor of Liberal Arts & Sciences and professor of English, who has designed and will lead the course.
To date, no other comprehensive and current series of video lectures about the literary movements that shaped this body of work has been produced.
“Because the poetry itself—as well as the interpretation of it—is so diverse, we want the course to reflect and embody that diversity,” he said. “Instead of delivering a standard single lecturer course, we invited a series of faculty members to record lectures in their areas of greatest interest and expertise.”
Throughout the course, 12 presenters from 10 recognized institutions across the county, including Stanford University, Pennsylvania State University and University of Southern California, will share their knowledge and individual perspectives on modern American poetry. Those enrolled in the course will have the opportunity to participate in online discussion groups and collaborate on essays and videos.
A second course, launching in 2017, will focus on contemporary American poetry from the 1950s through today. Enrollment is currently open for the May 9 course. The 4-week course will be offered each month thereafter on a rolling basis. Learn more about the program or explore other MOOCs offered by Illinois at online.illinois.edu/moocs.
