ENGL 425/525:  Shakespeare (Spring 2004)

NEW:  Suggestions for writing about Shakespeare.

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES

This course introduces students to a number of plays by Shakespeare. In addition to discussing the themes and ideas that arise in these plays, we will spend a great deal of time exploring Shakespeare's linguistic and dramatic achievement by balancing close readings of the text with an awareness that Shakespeare's works are plays meant to be performed on a stage.

TEXTS (Pelican editions of the plays, available at the Longwood University Bookstore)

• Richard III [ISBN:  0140714839]

• A Midsummer Night's Dream [ISBN:  0140714553]

• 1 Henry IV [ISBN:  0140714561]

• Henry V [ISBN:  0140714588]

• The Merchant of Venice [ISBN:  0140714626]

• Measure for Measure [ISBN:  0140714790]

• Macbeth [ISBN:  0140714782]

• Othello [ISBN:  0140714634]

• The Tempest [ISBN:  0140714855]

• The Sonnets [ISBN:  0140714537].

• If you already have a good, annotated edition of Shakespeare's complete works (or feel that this is the time to buy one), feel free to use it instead.  I'd be happy to provide suggestions on an appropriate text.

• Optional:  Shakespeare A to Z, ed. Charles Boyce.  [ISBN:  0385313616]

• You should also have a good collegiate dictionary, and please acquaint yourself with the location of the Oxford English Dictionary (second edition) in the library at your earliest convenience.

INTERNET RESOURCES

• The Oxford English Dictionary (Second Edition).  Use the "browse" function.

• Voice of the Shuttle:  Web Site for Humanities Research.

• Literary Lexicon

• Glossary of Rhetorical Terms

• The Virtual Classroom Glossary of Literary Terms

• The Cambridge History of English and American Literature

• Luminarium (medieval and Renaissance texts)

• Perseus Project (classical texts)

• Conventions for Writing Papers about Literature
• Guidelines for Writing a Literature Paper
  

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

• A 4-5 page paraphrase and analysis of a sonnet.  Go here for instructions (15%).

• A group performance project, which will be presented to the class (15%).

• Class preparation and participation (10%).  Note that this portion of your grade will be adversely affected by frequent late arrivals or early departures, sleeping or chatting during class, and clock gazing.  (See also the attendance policy, below.)  I reserve the right to begin administering quizzes and assigning daily response papers if it appears that students are not prepared for class discussion.  

• Final paper of 5-7 pages (20%).  Go here for instructions.

• Midterm and final exams (20% each).

• (ENGL 525 students will make an oral presentation and write an 10-12 page final paper.)

Other information on papers:  Go here to learn about MLA format (but note that this style sheet is not comprehensive--you may need to consult the MLA Handbook on some formatting issues).  Papers that do not quote and cite verse (and prose, for that matter) properly will be returned for reformatting.  Please include your e-mail address on your paper.  See my handouts for information on writing about literature.  See the Longwood University Style Manual for other formatting issues.

POLICY MATTERS

Please arrive on time, and be prepared to listen, think, and contribute. Please turn off wireless phones, pagers, headphones, and other electronic devices that might disrupt class. Please treat other students and your instructor in a civil and respectful manner. Note that classroom disruption is a violation of Longwood University's honor code.

 

The Longwood University attendance policy in the 2003-2004 Undergraduate Catalog will be the attendance policy for this course. You will receive an F on work missed because of unexcused absences. Your grade will be lowered by one letter grade if you miss 10 percent of the scheduled class meeting times for unexcused absences. You will receive an F if you miss a total (excused and unexcused) of 25 percent of the scheduled class meeting times. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to obtain notes from a classmate (as well as announcements about syllabus changes or other matters). Exams can be made up only under the most grave circumstances, and with documentation from an MD or a Longwood University official. If you foresee a conflict, I expect you to discuss it with me beforehand. Written assignments handed in late will lose one letter grade for each class day late. Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of intellectual dishonesty will result in an F for the course and referral to the Longwood University Judicial system. For details on Longwood University's honor code and judicial system, direct your web browser to: http://www.longwood.edu/judicial.

 

Please submit all written work for this course to me in hard copy--e-mail attachments will not be accepted.  You should keep electronic versions of any work you submit for this class, and the graded work I hand back to you, until after you have received your final grade.  In case of inclement weather, continue to read the daily assignments, and check the course web page for announcements.

 

Note: the syllabus may be changed at any time if necessary, though I'll try to give you as much advance notice as possible. Please check the web page regularly for updates.

CALENDAR

Please read each play in its entirety before we begin discussing it in class.  As we discuss it in class, carefully read it a second time.  Consult the study questions on my web page to prepare yourself for class discussion.