English 305
Section 1 [H]
Summer 2002 -- (June 24 - August 2)
SLN 13995
MTWThF 10:30 - 11:45
Avery 8
Shakespeare
Course Description:
This course will focus primarily on Shakespeare's earlier plays, comedies and histories, including those that you could see performed this season in the Pacific Northwest (local campuses, Ashland's Shakespeare Festival, movie theaters, etc.) if you were so inclined. If youre taking Shakespeare the plunge for the first time, fear not: this course will be relatively non-threatening and usually merciful. If youre "brushing up your Shakespeare," here is an assortment of mostly greater and some lesser works of the Bard. If you may have to teach some Shakespeare eventually, youre not alone and we'll keep this in mind. If you are taking this class because you vaguely suspect you should, you're probably right.
Well shoot for both some general coverage of earlier Shakespeare, for consideration of the big biographical question (be warned -- I'm a heretic), and for close focus on several plays (including several chosen by the class).
A recently published book on Shakespeare asserts what has been the consensus for centuries: that Shakespeare essentially created our conception of what a human being is, of human psychology and human relationships. In other words, Shakespeare created us. Therefore, I want some answers from this mini-semester, Billy! Therapy is too expensive.
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 through articulation of these.
To develop skills in verbal analysis 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. |
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Course Requirements:
A significant part of your life this mini-semester has to become Shakespeare studies. Studying this stuff can be demanding, but at least well 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. Heres the math:I will frequently ask for relatively minor homework assignments to be turned in, 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 -- one small, one more significant, but both of manageable length. (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, or peer responses). (10%)
June 24 -- Introductions & Images
June 25 -- Background; The Taming of the Shrew: Induction & Act I
June 26 -- The Taming of the Shrew: Acts I & II
June 27 -- The Taming of the Shrew: Acts II & III
June 28 -- The Taming of the Shrew: Act IVJuly 1 -- The Taming of the Shrew: Act V
July 2 -- The Authorship Question: Snazzy PowerPoint Presentation
July 3 -- Two Gentlemen of Verona: Acts I & II
July 5 -- FilmJuly 8 -- Two Gentlemen of Verona: Act III
July 9 -- Two Gentlemen of Verona: Act IV
July 10 -- Two Gentlemen of Verona: Act V
July 11 -- Midterm Exam
July 12 -- Project #1 Due; Much Ado About Nothing: Act IJuly 15 -- Much Ado About Nothing: Acts II-III
July 16 -- Much Ado About Nothing: Act IV
July 17 -- Much Ado About Nothing: Act V
July 18 -- Background to the Histories; Henry V: Act I
July 19 -- Henry V: Act IIJuly 22 -- Henry V: Act III
July 23 -- Henry V: Act IV
July 24 -- Henry V: Act V
July 25 -- Shakespearathon Games
July 26 -- The Merchant of Venice: Act I; Project Proposal DueJuly 29 -- The Merchant of Venice: Acts II & III
July 30 -- The Merchant of Venice: Act IV
July 31 -- The Merchant of Venice: Act V
August 1 -- Project #2 Due; Last Words and Review
August 2 -- Final Shakespeararama 2002