Transcript title
Shakespeare
Credits
4
Grading mode
Standard letter grades
Total contact hours
40
Lecture hours
40
Recommended preparation
WR 121Z.
Course Description
The major plays of Shakespeare's middle and later periods. May also include selected study of his sonnets. Need not be taken in sequence.
Course learning outcomes
1. Define and illustrate principal literary elements of later Shakespearean drama: plot, character, diction, theme, actions and special effects, applying ENG 201-level criteria for literary analysis.
2. Analyze relationships among selected elements of dramatic forms of comedy, tragedy, history, and romance to determine how genre shapes the development of individual plays. Know variations within the genre, such as stock vs. complex character, or subtypes of the genre, such as Roman comedy, farce, and romantic or festive comedy. For later plays, practice comparative analysis in Shakespeare’s development of the later festive-comic and romance genre.
3. Identify key historical, social, and intellectual issues of the Renaissance, Reformation, and Tudor-Elizabethan England in relation to the plays. Analyze the plays by comparing dramatic elements with selected historical issues. For later plays, apply comparative analysis to show development of dramatic issues in relation to contemporary issues.
4. Apply biographical information recognized by scholars about Shakespeare and his fellow dramatists--their lives, cultural identities, socio-economic circumstances, reputations, literary influences, creative practices--to analysis and interpretation of his plays.
5. Practice more in-depth formal literary criticism, applying relevant critical opinions to one's own analysis and interpretation of narrative fiction. Illustrate in longer writing assignments using appropriately selected examples from scholars.
6. Demonstrate effective writing skills when communicating and supporting literary analysis, interpretation, and evaluation, in graded writing assignments, building upon ENG-201 level analysis. For later plays in ENG 202, practice comparative analysis of applicable literary approaches and “schools” of literary analysis.
7. Select and interpret persuasive specific examples from Shakespearean drama in order to illustrate and support one's thesis in graded writing assignments. Apply correct format and select representative content, building upon ENG 201-level skills.
General education/Related instruction lists
