This module offers a literary-cultural study of textual, visual and material culture in New York City between 1960 and 1985. It maps the poetry produced during the period back onto (and into) the city, attending in particular to the intersections between race, gender, and sexuality, to the significance of place and space, and to the connections between poetry, music, and visual art. It examines the interrelations between different locations (from Harlem to the Lower East Side), various poetic groups (e.g. the New York Schools, the Black Arts Movement, punk, the Beats, and Umbra), and individual artists such as Frank O’Hara, Amiri Baraka, Joe Brainard, Patti Smith, Anne Waldman, and Bernadette Mayer. The module aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of New York City poetics during the period, taking both a literary and a cultural-historical approach (using the poetry to tell the story of the place).
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
demonstrate a sound knowledge of, and make informed comparisons between, the work of a range of artists (loosely defined) working in New York City between 1960-1985;
discuss the ways in which social/cultural/political/geographical contexts shaped New York City poetics 1960-1985;
assess the techniques, forms, ideas, media and themes particular to a range of artists (loosely defined) working in New York City between 1960-1985;
undertake independent study pertaining to the module material, and demonstrate critical engagement with relevant scholarship.
Assessment
30635-01 : 4,000 Word Essay : Coursework (100%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions
Assessment: 4000 word essay (100%)
Reassessment: 4000 word essay (100%) Extenuating circumstances only