Poets are often considered to exist in a world apart, writing solely for an intellectual audience. However, as a towering presence in Irish culture, Seamus Heaney occupied a rare position as a popular poet and a major cultural voice, and in dealing with the complex issues of memory, identity, The Troubles, and the creative process, Heaney's work pervades the culture in which we live, and has had an indelible impact on Irish life. This course demonstrates that engaging with poetry is an enlightening and enriching experience, and provides a comprehensive chronological overview of the work of Seamus Heaney, from the 1960s to his death in 2013. Students will be provided with strategies to read, interpret, and appreciate Heaney's hugely important work, and develop their own personal relationship with his iconic and moving poetry.