Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "EN 245H"
COURSE NAME: "Shakespeare (This is an honors course and carries 4 semester hours of credit; NB: Minimum 3.5 CUM GPA required)"
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 five 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 plot line in the play and study its development through out the acts. This work will be finally compiled into a single research paper to be handed in at the end of the course.

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 Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number
Macbeth	Shakespeare	Arden	978-1903436486
Twelfth Night	Shakespeare	Arden	978-1903436592
Hamlet	Shakespeare	Arden	978-1904271338
Romeo and Juliet	Shakespeare	Arden	978-1903436417
Othello	Shakespeare	Arden	978-1903436455

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
presentations		20%
3 home papers		60%
final exam		20%

-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