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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "EN 245"
COURSE NAME: "Shakespeare"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring Semester 2012
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Grego Alessandra
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 10:00-11:15
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: EN 110 with a grade of C or above
OFFICE HOURS: by appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The course is conceived as a general introduction to Shakespeare's theatre through the study of four plays.
Each play will be studied in its historical context, with reference to the events occuring in England during the reigns of Elizabeth I and JamesI, and in detail, working on the genre of the play, on the structure, function of the characters and enduring popularity.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
 Each play will be presented in a general lecture introducing the students to the particular significance of the text under discussion, its relation to contemporary events and its critical interpretation. Following this introduction each student will chose one character in the play and study his/her development through out the acts, presenting to the class in oral presentations.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will exit the class with a good general knowledge of where Shakespeare stands in English Literature, and how he has kept that pre-eminent position through the centuries. They will be familiar with the distinction between comedy, history and tragedy, understand the basics of dramatic compositions and will have practiced their ability to analyse a character and comunicate their analysis through presentations.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
OthelloShakespeareArden, third series978-1903436455     
HamletShakespeareArden, Third series978-1904271338     
Twelfth NightShakespeareArden, Third Series978-1903436592     
MacbethShakespeareArden, Second Series978-1903436486     
Romeo and JulietShakespeareArden, Second Series978-1903436417     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
PresentationsBrief oral presentations designed to show how the characters change and develop throughout the plays. Each Student will present at least twice throughout the course and is required to contribute to the class discussion following the presentations.30%
2 home papersTwo home papers (5 to 8 pages each excluding works cited page). The first of the home papers will focus on the role of character in the plays and the second will focus on the development of plot.40%
Final Paper 20%
Class participationStudents are required to take active part in the class discussions. Silent attendance does not contribute to this portion of the grade.10%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

Assessment Guidelines for assigning main letter grades: A, B, C,D, and F.

A:  Work of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensiveknowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.

B:  This is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.

There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.

C:  This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.

D:  This level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.

Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.

F: This work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.


-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Attendance is mandatory. Students are expected to be in class before the reading of the roster. Two absences are allowed without questions asked, any absence beyond these two will require a written justification (doctor's note, e.g.). More than 4 absences will affect your grade and 7 absences may result in a failing grade.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

 

Sess.

Focus

Reading Assignment

Assignment Due

1

January Mon 16

Introduction

 

 

Wed 18

 

 

 

2

January Mon 23

Romeo and Juliet

 Romeo and Juliet acts I to II

 

Wed 25

 

 

Presentations

3

January Mon 30

Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet act III

 

February Wed 1

 

 

Presentations

Fri 3

Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet acts IV and V

 

4

February Mon 6

Comedies and Problems

 

 

Wed 8

Twelfth Night

 Twelfth Night Acts I and II

 

5

February Mon 13

Twelfth Night

Twelfth Night Acts III

 

Wed 15

Twelfth Night

Presentations

6

February Mon 20

Twelfth Night

Acts IV and V

 

Wed 22

Twelfth Night

 

Presentations

7

February Mon 27

Introduction to Tragedy

 

Wed 29

 

 Hamlet Acts I and II

 

8

March Mon 5

Hamlet

 Hamlet Act III

 

Wed 7

Hamlet

Presentations

Fri 9

Hamlet

 Hamlet Act IV

1st Home Paper Due

9

March Mon 12

Hamlet

Act V

 

Wed 14

 

Presentations

10

March Mon 26

Introduction to Othello

 

Wed 28

 

 Othello Acts I to III

 

11

April Mon 2

Othello

 

Presentations

Wed 4

Othello

Othello Acts IV and V

 

12

April Mon 9

 

 

Presentations

Wed 11

Macbeth Introduction

 

  13

April Mon 16

 

Macbeth Acts I to III

2nd Home Paper

Wed 18

Macbeth

 

14

April

Mon 23-Wed 25

Macbeth

Macbeth Acts IV and V