Students will read poetry that explores identity and asks who we are as individuals, families and communities. They will be encouraged to express opinions and reflect more broadly on topics raised: how are we British, for example. They will examine the content, form and language used by diverse poets such as Benjamin Zephaniah, Simon Armitage, John Clare, Grace Nichol, William Ernest Henley, Carol Ann Duffy and Dean Atta, and deepen an appreciation of this genre.
Course aim
This course aims to explore alienation and belonging through a range of poems that address identity. Learners will explore poets' ideas and language and reflect on these in relation to themselves as an individual and part of a family and society.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- 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.
- 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
- 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
- Students need a Level 1 qualification in English to join this course
- This course is suitable for those who are interested in building confidence in enjoying poetry.
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- Explore the theme of identity in a diverse range of poems.
- Compare the presentation of themes between 2 poets.
- Contribute to a debate on the strengths of the individual and the community.
- Identify the effect of metre, language and form in a diverse range of poems.
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
- You will be expected to carry out a range of activities in your own time
- Blended learning will be used to deliver the sessions online through Zoom conferencing and the learning platform Canvas. Students will be invited to participate in tutor- and student-led activities as a class and in smaller "breakout" rooms.
What kind of feedback can I expect?
- Your tutor will provide written, text and audio feedback recorded in WEA Canvas, WEA’s digital learning platform.
- A range of informal activities will be used by the tutor to see what you are learning which may include quizzes, question and answer, small projects and discussion
What else do I need to know?
- 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 also need access to the internet outside of your sessions. You could do this using a smart phone, tablet, laptop or a desktop computer (at home or through a library etc.).
- 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
Pre-course work, reading and information sources
- You will have access to course resources and links to wider learning through the WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
What can I do next?
- Progress to another WEA course
- Reading for Pleasure: International Folk Tales Creative Writing
Download full course information sheet
