This course has been recently designed and created for non-English-majors
who recognize that a university experience is not complete without at least
one Shakespeare class but who may hesitate to enroll in a 300-level class
they think will be filled with lots of literary and language virtuosi.
So, we'll read and see some Shakespeare plays, most of which will be
selected by class vote. We'll give some heretical consideration to the
Authorship Controversy and Tudor cultural studies. We'll see a lot of
Shakespeare in film clips, and we'll take advantage of any film adaptations
or local performances appearing this season.
Why you want this course:
- You can finally work past the trauma of high school Shakespeare.
- Shakespeare essentially created our conception of what a human being is, of
human psychology and human relationships. In other words, Shakespeare created us.
- How can you accept a university degree without having taken a Shakespeare class?
- Shakespeare shaped the English language more than anyone else, ever.
- It may be your last chance to master this key field of subtle literacy.
- Shakespeare cultivates sensitivity and sensibility. How much of that is in
circulation these days?
- A guy who's been dead for four hundred years can make you laugh and feel something.
That's a kind of miracle.
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.
A significant part of your life this semester has to become
Shakespeare studies. Coasting along with Sparknotes will not
save your butt. Responsibly reading and studying Shakespeare can be
demanding, but at least we have the opportunity to 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, 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. 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 three exams. (30%)
Class participation and other service to the learning community will
be expected (occasional group work, for example). (10%)
