I see this as a course that's an introduction to the literature of a period, to modern poetry.

我觉得，这只是一门引导性课程,引导大家关注某一时期的文学创作和现代诗歌。

耶鲁公开课 - 现代诗歌课程节选

And as you can see, in addition to the introduction, the cover advertises also a portrait of the author.

你们可以看到，除了引言，封面的宣传也是作者的画像。

耶鲁公开课 - 现代诗歌课程节选