The Modern American Poetry web site, developed by the editors of the Anthology of Modern American Poetry, contains excerpts from literary criticism, arranged topically, about modern and contemporary poets. It also contains original critical articles and a repository of course syllabi and teaching materials.
Type of Material:
Reference material, collection
Recommended Uses:
For research assignments and class discussions
It is designed to support the Anthology of Modern American Poetry (Oxford University Press, 2000) but can also be used by anyone studying American poetry from the Civil War to the present. It can be used for background information to inform class discussions, as examples of critical analysis, and as research for scholarly papers.
Technical Requirements:
Basic computer and internet browser
Identify Major Learning Goals:
To engage students in critical views of a given poet’s work
The student will access multiple critical works as background for class discussions and research for papers. • Advanced students can write and submit critical analysis of poetry to be added to the collection if approved by review.
Target Student Population:
High School or College (undergraduate and graduate) poetry students
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Basic reading and analysis skills
Basic computer skills
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
This web site provides a wealth of research materials at the students’ fingertips, without the necessity of logging into library databases or searching the Internet for valid and reliable resources.
The site gives a wealth of information on a variety of authors and works, including some visual and audio presentations, such as authors reading their works and photographic essays.
Concerns:
The site provides only excerpts, which could potentially be problematic.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
The materials in the web site would be easy to link into an assignment or exercise created for a class.
The site can be used to help students gain background information on a poet as well as what critics have said about the poet and his/her works. This information can be used for class discussions as well as potential support for essays and papers. It also gives students examples of critical work and the opportunity to submit their own critical analysis for review.
Concerns:
This is not a stand-alone learning object.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
The site is easy to use.
There are several indices that can be used to navigate the site, which contains a large amount of information. There are several simple search engines that also make finding information about particular authors easy to accomplish.
Concerns:
The design of the individual author resource pages is too tight. The links are too close together, and it is difficult to see the separate entries.
Creative Commons:
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