Is it possible to remember, faithfully, an earlier self? What does it mean to be a poet? What is education really for? Why do certain moments remain within us, so vividly, throughout our lives? In his powerful epic poem, 'The Prelude', Wordsworth looks back upon his life and tries to work out how he became a poet. His search – with all its doubts and moments of sublime revelation – changed the course of English literature. On this course, you have the chance to explore one of the greatest longer poems ever written. If you love autobiography, poetry, chance encounters and ice-skating – then this is for you. This course is a fully online with no physical meeting space, accessing the course through Canvas our virtual learning environment and zoom a video conferencing software.
Course aim
This course will provide an introduction to the poetry of William Wordsworth, with special emphasis on his great autobiographical poem, The Prelude.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- You will need your own personal email address so that you’re able to login to the WEA’s digital learning platform: WEA Canvas. You will need to be able to understand how to follow URL links to pages on the internet. If you want to understand more about Canvas please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- You will need to be able to follow links to join our WEA live video learning platform: WEA Zoom. If you’d like to understand more about our video learning platform, Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline and http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- This course is for a group of around 15 students studying in a live video-learning platform conference and an online digital learning environment platform from the comfort of your own home.
- No skills or experience needed
- This course is suitable for beginners and improvers
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- approach Wordsworth's long nineteenth-century poem, The Prelude, in a fresh way.
- understand some of Wordsworth's techniques as a writer.
- explore the historical and social context in which Wordsworth was writing.
- understand Wordsworth's influence as a writer, especially with regards to autobiographical writing.
How will I be taught?
- The WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas will be used to provide resources or to support lessons, enable assessment, provide learner feedback and for other activities for individuals away from the course. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- The WEA tutor will use a range of different teaching and learning methods and encourage you and the group to be actively involved in your learning
- You will need to compliment the class with your own reading, as detailed during the class.
What kind of feedback can I expect?
- You will have opportunities to discuss your progress with your tutor
- You will be encouraged to share your work with the group and discuss your learning
What else do I need to know?
- What you need: You will need an internet connection, speakers, a microphone and a webcam so that you can use our video learning platform, Zoom. If you’d like to understand more Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- You will need a personal email address to join the WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas so that you can receive resources, record your progress and achievement and to work with others and share ideas. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- You will need a copy of 'The Prelude' (1805 edition) by Wordsworth. Three very good editions are available: 1. Norton Critical Edition: ISBN: 9780393090710* 2. Penguin: ISBN: 9780140433692 3. Oxford Uni. Pres: ISBN: 9780192810748 *Norton is the best one
Pre-course work, reading and information sources
- No pre reading is required but research on the subject on the internet or in the library may be helpful
What can I do next?
- Progress to another WEA course
- Access the WEA What Next? booklet here http://www.wea.org.uk/learn-wea/what-can-i-do-next
Download full course information sheet
Literature: Wordsworth and the Prelude - With Dr. Mark Crees
