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COURSE SYLLABUS
ENG 405A: Shakespeare
Fall 2009
Thursdays 5:30-8:00pm MAH 208

General Information

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I. Course Description

Presents a study of Shakespeare as poet and playwright including critical and interpretive studies of selected plays. Emphasizes appreciation, understanding, and analysis of his poetry and drama. Requires substantial research on a literary topic.

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II. Purpose of the Course

To introduce students to Shakespeare’s works in some depth. To foster their appreciation of these works, together with an understanding of Elizabethan theatre and the social context of the times. To foster students’ ability to interpret Shakespeare’s works critically.

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III. College Learning Outcomes

This course fulfills Lourdes College Learning Outcomes:

3a. Students can explain the importance of a certain period or development in art, music, or literature.

3b. Students can respond to one or more works of art, music, or literature with awareness of the elements of the medium or have demonstrated their awareness in the creation of an original and work or a public performance.

6a. Students have systematically investigated a culture or cultures other than their own.

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IV. Program Learning Outcomes

B1 Can respond to works of literature with awareness of literary elements

B2 Can demonstrate understanding of how literature reflects and influences
cultures

D1 Can produce effective oral or written analyses of literary works

D2 Can synthesize ideas and information from scholarly secondary sources with primary source material to develop arguments regarding literary topics

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V. Course Objectives

By the end of the semester, students should be able to:

1. demonstrate facility in critical reading strategies of selected plays by Shakespeare with emphasis on poetics, structure, and characterization (CLO 3b; PLO B1, D1).

2. demonstrate an understanding of Renaissance drama in terms of social, political, and cultural context (CLO 3a, 6a; PLO B2, D2).

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VI. Policies

1. Statement on Disabilities: If you have documented a disability with the Director of Disability Services, please discuss with me the adaptations or accommodations you require, emergency medical information, and/or special arrangements to be implemented if the building must be evacuated.

2. Statement of Emergency Response: In case of a tornado, your instructor will direct you to the nearest shelter in accordance with Lourdes College's Policy for Tornado Warnings and Tornado Warning Procedures. The nearest shelter for this course is _______________ in an area that is not exposed to windows.

In case of a fire, your instructor will help direct you to the nearest exit. Please evacuate in a calm and efficient manner. Do not use the elevator. Do not block building entrances once you are out. Also, refer to the Emergency Evacuation Procedure for Persons with Disabilities if this should apply to you.

3. Academic Honesty: Students are expected to do their own work and avoid plagiarism in any form. Turning in others' work or failing to cite source material properly will result in a zero on the assignment and may result in an F for the course. Please see the student handbook for more information (available on-line at: http://www.lourdes.edu/Portals/0/Files/StudentServ/StudentHandbook.pdf, page 10). If you are uncertain about how to properly cite your sources, contact me for assistance (before the assignment is due).

4. Academic Grievance: If students have complaints or concerns about the course, they should meet individually with the instructor to discuss them. If issues can't be readily resolved, they should obtain an academic grievance form and follow the indicated steps: 1. meet with the faculty member; 2. meet with the faculty member's chairperson; 3. meet with the Vice Provost of Academic Affairs, whose decision on the issue will be final.

5. Attendance: Class participation is vital in this course; in-class work is a necessary supplement to the reading and writing you will do outside of class, and the contributions of each individual in class are important to everyone's learning. Therefore, attendance is required. In the event of illness or emergency, please contact the instructor (before class if possible) to obtain an excused absence. More than two unexcused absences during the term will affect your course grade. You are responsible for the information discussed in class when you are absent, although in-class assignments/quizzes may not be made up for credit if your absence is unexcused.

6. Classroom Decorum: Please be respectful of others' learning and avoid disruptive behavior. Turn off cell phones and all other distracting portable electronic devices before class.

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VII. Assignments and Grading

You will be assessed on assignments on a 200 point scale as follows:

*Participation includes attendance, preparedness to discuss reading assignments, and class discussion exercises. By attending each class, students earn half of the participation points for the course. The remaining points are based on students' in-class contributions.

Because of the flexible deadlines for assignments for this course, late assignments cannot be accepted. See the assignments page for more information.

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VI. Required Texts

Wells, Stanley and Lena Cowen Orlin. Shakespeare: An Oxford Guide. New York: Oxford UP, 2003.

Shakespeare. Merchant of Venice. New York: Washington Square Press, 1992.

---. Measure for Measure. New York: Washington Square Press, 1997.

---. Richard III. New York: Washington Square Press, 1996.

---. Julius Caesar. New York: Washington Square Press, 1992.

---. King Lear. New York: Washington Square Press, 1993.

---. Othello. New York: Washington Square Press, 1993.

Note: I have chosen Washington Square Press editions of the plays because they provide comprehensive explanatory notes and they are affordable. You may use other editions of the Shakespeare plays we are reading if you wish, but note that there may be differences in your text based on the version of the play used as a basis. See the background notes for each play for more information, and see the texts page for information about other available editions.

See the essay question page for each play for a list of critical works available on the Sakai course website.

Recommended Text:

Gibaldi, Joseph. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 6th ed. New York: MLA, 2003.

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© 2007 Susan Shelangoskie, Ph.D.