Course Objectives: To improve critical and creative thinking skills by exploring multiple perspectives on a cultural phenomenon manifested in the arts and humanities. To increase intellectual maturation and clarification of our own values through examination of ideas and attitudes in aesthetic and cultural contexts and especially through articulation of these in academic discourse. To improve skills and sophistication in verbal analysis through reading, discussion, and writing.

Required Texts:

Shakespeare. As You Like It. 3rd ed. Arden, 2006. ISBN 978-1904271222. This is the text ordered at the Crimson & Gray and at the Bookie. You would, however, be fine with any scholarly edition such as the Norton or the Riverside, even the Signet or Penguin paperback (usually very accessible -- even malls have Shakespeare), so long as you have act, scene, and line numbers in your responsible edition for proper documentation of the play. Brontë, Emily. Wuthering Heights. 4th ed. Norton, 2002. ISBN 978-0393978896. The rest will come to you as hand-outs or pdfs.

Course Requirements:

A significant part of your life this semester has to become Love studies. Because classroom interaction is essential for this to be a valuable experience, more than a few absences will affect your grade regardless of causes. Here's the math:

I will frequently ask for relatively minor homework assignments to be turned in (or submitted electronically on the Angel system), designed primarily to stimulate subsequent discussion [although it will arise anyway because the materials are so provocative (i.e., cool)] and to practice conventions for writing about the arts. At other times I will ask you to answer questions in writing in class, often ad lib responses to the reading before class discussion begins. Homework assignments and quizzes will receive numerical grades (points) and, although these writings cannot be made up (except for a couple optional writings that can take their place), the final semester totals will be curved if necessary. (30%)

You will submit two written projects of manageable length. Late papers will receive F grades; failure to turn anything in, even late, will result in an F for the course. (30%)

Your presence will be kindly requested at two exams. (30%)

Class participation and other service to the learning community will be expected (occasional group work, for example). (10%)

Some introductory advice about succeeding with homework and exams can be found here.

Students with Disabilities:

I am committed to providing assistance to help you be successful in this course. Reasonable accommodations are available for students with a documented disability. If you have a disability and may need accommodations to participate in this class fully, please visit the Disability Resource Center (DRC) at the start of the semester to seek information or to qualify for accommodations. All accommodations must be approved through the DRC (Washington Building, Room 217). Call 509-335-3417 to make an appointment with a disability specialist: http://www.drc.wsu.edu.