Classic Australian Poems
What makes a poem a classic? In this course, we will read examples of classic poems from the trove of 20th century Australian poetry, and engage in the study of a wide range of poets, including Mary Gilmore, Kenneth Slessor, the hoax-poet ‘Ern Malley’, Judith Wright, and Oodgeroo Noonuccal, to deepen our knowledge of poetic form and technique. Along the way, we will sharpen our thinking skills by reading literary criticism, and engaging in debates about what makes a classic Australian poem and how classic poems reflect the judgement of historical and literary time-contexts. The assessment at the end of the term will allow students to demonstrate their engagement with the concepts and skills covered in the course.