Early Moderns: Poetry and Politics
The poets, Burke and Tocqueville
Poetry and Politics guides students through a tumultuous period of significant change in Western civilization. Nations and individuals grapple with questions of identity, what it means to be free, and what it means to be human. Enjoy the poetry of Pope, Coleridge, Wordsworth, Byron, Keats, Shelley, Tennyson, Browing, Arnold, Rossetti, Hopkins, and Poe. Explore the political treatises of Edmund Burke and Alexis de Tocqueville.
Twelve lectures, six hours
Each lecture opens with a short review, then summary, commentary and connections across history, art and theology. Watch Lecture 1 free.
- 1Introduction to the EnlightenmentFree29 min
- 2Alexander Pope 130 min
- 3Alexander Pope 229 min
- 4Edmund Burke 129 min
- 5Edmund Burke 230 min
- 6Romantic Poetry 126 min
- 7Romantic Poetry 226 min
- 8Intro to the Victorian Age & Democracy in America56 min
- 9Edgar Allan Poe26 min
- 10Lesson 10 Victorian Poetry 132 min
- 11Lesson 11 Victorian Poetry 227 min
- 12Victorian Poetry 326 min
Lecture 1 · Introduction to the Enlightenment · 29 min · freePlays here on the page. Every lecture streams and downloads in the Roman Roads app once you own the course.
What your student reads
- PopeAn Essay on Criticism, An Essay on Man
- BurkeReflections on the Revolution in France
- ColeridgeThe Rime of the Ancient Mariner
- Wordsworth, Byron, Keats, Shelleypoems
- TocquevilleDemocracy in America
- Poepoems and stories
- Tennyson, Browning, Arnold, Rossetti, Hopkinspoems
Every assigned text is in the Poetry and Politics Reader (Vol. 14), as a printed book or the eBook that comes with the course. Students are welcome to use other editions of the great books they already own with this course. The video lectures reference Latin or Greek line numbers, which allows a broader use of editions for those who prefer to bring their own.
Poetry and Politics
664 pages · 6 × 9 in. · paperback $32 · hardback $45 · eBook included with the course
About this Reader
Questions
Is Poetry and Politics right for a younger student?
Old Western Culture is intended for mature and discerning students; we recommend it for ages 14 and up. The course deals with mature themes such as paganism, sexual immorality, battle scenes (mostly in the reading) and classical paintings, and is meant to equip your child with a Biblical lens for them. We assume a working knowledge of the Bible and basic Christian doctrine.
How much credit is it?
One unit is half a high-school credit in literature or history; a full year of four units is two credits.
How long does a unit take?
Nine weeks: one lecture a week, with the reading and the questions between. The Honors schedule reads everything; the Essentials schedule reads a shorter selection and still watches every lecture.
Do we need the printed Reader?
No. The Reader eBook is in the app with the course, and the editions already on your shelf work too. We do recommend reading in print, whether that is our Reader, a Roman Roads Classic where one exists, or your own copy; the Reader’s advantage is every assigned text in one volume.
Can a co-op or school use it?
Yes. Students watch at home and discuss in class, or a teacher lectures live. Ask us about group licensing.
Is it a subscription?
No. You buy it once and it is yours for life.
Early Moderns: Poetry and Politics
The complete digital course, from $74.75. Add the printed Reader and workbook above.