ENH4270

Feminist poetics

Not offered in 1999

R Lucas

12 points - 2 hours per week - First semester - Clayton

Objectives Upon completion of this subject, students should have achieved greater understanding of key theories concerning gender representation within the broad category of poetic language and developed skills of close textual analysis, oral presentation and written argument.

SynopsisThis subject will offer close study of a number of key women poets of the twentieth century who have contributed to a general feminist challenge to, and rewriting of, conventional inscriptions of gender. Using the theories of Julia Kristeva, it will also critique the category of poetic language and its relation to the genre of poetry. These issues will form the focus for substantial readings of poetic texts. The emphasis for learning will be upon discussion and debate, facilitated by the presentation of student papers.

Assessment Two exercises (2500 words each): 25% each Major essay based on class presentation (4000 words): 50%

Prescribed texts

Atwood M Poems 1965-1975 Virago, 1991
H D The collected poems of H.D. ed. L Martz, New Directions, 1983
Lorde A Undersong: Chosen poems, old and new Norton, 1993
Lucas R and McCredden L Bridgings: Readings in Australian women's poetry OUP, 1996
Plath S The collected poems ed. T Hughes, Harper and Row, 1981
Porter D Akhenaten UQP, 1992
Rich A The fact of a doorframe Norton, 1984
Sexton A The complete poems Houghton Mifflin, 1981
Winterson J Written on the body Cape, 1992

Recommended texts

Toril Moi The Kristeva reader Blackwell, 1986

Back to the 1999 Arts Handbook