Contemporary British Poets (Celebrating Diversity) - West Bridgford Methodist Church - Adult Learning

Contemporary Poetry is home to a great range of exciting and diverse voices and on this course you will encounter a wide variety of them – poets from different genders, sexualities and ethnic backgrounds, all expressing themselves in a diverse range of poetic styles and forms. Throughout the course, we will explore how contemporary poets use language to challenge conventions, articulate identity, respond to social and political issues, and celebrate the nuances of everyday experience. You will develop your analytical skills through close reading and discussion, while also gaining an appreciation for the craft and innovation present in modern verse.

No prior knowledge of contemporary poetry is necessary – just an enthusiasm for reading and discussing lively, exciting modern verse. We will explore the work of contemporary women poets such as Alice Oswald, Louise Glück, Hannah Sullivan, and Carol Ann Duffy. Black British voices will be a key focus, with poets including Caleb Femi, Roger Robinson, Debris Stevenson, Kayo Chingonyi, and Kei Miller. The course will also engage with LGBTQ+ perspectives through poets such as Ocean Vuong, Seán Hewitt, Chen Chen, and Danez Smith. We will consider the poetry of working-class male voices, including John Burnside, Simon Armitage, and Seamus Heaney.

In addition, we will explore Palestinian and Middle Eastern perspectives through poets such as Mahmoud Darwish, Naomi Shihab Nye, and Mosab Abu Toha. This diverse and dynamic selection reflects the course’s commitment to exploring the full breadth of contemporary poetry in all its forms.

What will learners achieve by the end of the course?

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a range of voices and trends in contemporary poetry, including diverse cultural, social, and political perspectives.

Apply a variety of critical and personal approaches to reading and appreciating modern poetry, using close reading and discussion techniques.

Identify and accurately use key poetic terms and recognise a variety of poetic forms and styles encountered in contemporary verse.

Develop a personalised reading list that reflects their interests and demonstrates engagement with contemporary poets beyond the core syllabus.

Communicate effectively about diverse cultural perspectives through poetry, enhancing transferable skills such as critical thinking, empathy, and articulate self-expression relevant to a wide range of professional and community settings.

Please bring with you to the course:-

A drink, notepad and pen