First World War poetry Spring School launched

Booking is now open for next year's Spring School, organised by Oxford University's Faculty of English Language and Literature. 

It will be on the theme of 'British' poetry of the First World War, following last year's successful Spring School on the work of J R R Tolkien, and will be held from 3-5 April 2014. 

Organiser Dr Stuart Lee said: 'The poetry of the First World War is some of the most important and influential work of the 20th century, shaping our attitudes to war and still having enormous cultural resonances, as witnessed by the national debate surrounding the commemoration of the start of the war 100 years on. 

'However, the poetry also brings into question so many "truths" that it is appropriate we revisit this important body of work in a new light in 2014.  

'While poets like Sassoon, Owen, Graves, Rosenberg and Gurney warrant detailed focus, alongside this "canon" we should also turn attention to the women poets from the period, as well as Irish and "Empire" poets – questioning the notion of a corpus of purely British literature from 1914-18.'

The Spring School is open to – and aimed at – members of the public, particularly those who have read some First World War poetry but are now seeking a deeper critical appreciation. It will bring together world-leading experts on the topic, each invited to give an introductory lecture guiding the attendees to further avenues of study. Speakers will be encouraged to put together reading lists and follow-up exercises for students to do after each lecture on their own. 

Speakers confirmed so far include: Adrian Barlow, Meg Crane, Guy Cuthbertson, Gerald Dawe, Simon Featherstone, Philip Lancaster, Stuart Lee, Jean Liddiard, Alisa Miller, Charles Mundye, Jane Potter, Mark Rawlinson and Jon Stallworthy. 

Further information, including ticket prices, is available here. All enquiries should be directed to [email protected], with 'WW1 Poetry Spring School' in the subject line.