Course Objectives:

To gain exposure to Renaissance (or Early Modern) thought, poetic craft, and drama by poring over the works of one rather well-known English author.

To increase intellectual maturation and clarification of our own values through examination of ideas and attitudes in literary/cultural contexts and especially through articulation of these in academic discourse.

To develop skills in verbal analysis, critical thinking, and detection of subtlety through reading, discussion, and writing about some tricky literature.

Required Text:

The Riverside Shakespeare. 2nd ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1997. ISBN: 0395754909 This is the text ordered at the Crimson & Gray and at the Bookie. You would, however, be fine with any scholarly edition(s), even the Signet or Penguin paperbacks, for the individual plays if you lack the arm strength and can track them down individually (usually not difficult--even malls have Shakespeare), so long as you have act, scene, and line numbers in your responsible edition for proper documentation of the following plays: Titus Andronicus Antony and Cleopatra Hamlet and other plays to be elected by the class.

Course Requirements:

A significant part of your life this semester has to become Shakespeare studies. Studying this stuff can be demanding, but at least we'll be doing it together as a learning community. Because classroom interaction is essential for this to be a valuable experience, and because frequent quizzes and homework writings will be exchanged and no late assignments of any sort will be accepted, more than a few absences will affect your grade regardless of reason. Here's the math:

I will frequently ask for relatively minor homework assignments to be turned in (or submitted electronically on the Blackboard system), designed primarily to stimulate subsequent discussion [although it will arise anyway because the readings are so provocative (i.e., cool)] and to practice conventions for writing about literature. 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. (30%)

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

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

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. Please visit the Disability Resource Center (DRC) during the first two weeks of every semester to seek information or to qualify for accommodations. All accommodations must be approved through the DRC (Admin. Annex Bldg. Room 205). Call 509-335-3417 to make an appointment with a disability counselor.