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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:
Fall Semester 2012
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Grego Alessandra
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 8:30-9:45
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisite: EN 110 with a grade of C or above
OFFICE HOURS:
by appointment Monday - Wednesday between 11.30 and 14.30
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The course is conceived as a general
introduction to Shakespeare's theatre trough the study of four plays. We
will be focusing on the theme of the individual in society, analysing
how Shakespeare deals with this theme in four aparently very differnt
plays, a comedy (Twelfth Night) and three tragedies (Romeo and Juliet,
Hamlet, Othello). Students taking the Honors course are strongly recommended to ensure that they have a free period between 11.30 and 14.30 on Mondays and Wednesdays in order to arrange meeting hours with the professor.
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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 throughout
the acts, presenting to the class in oral presentations.
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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 preeminent position through the centuries. They
will be familiar with the distinction between comedy, history, tragedy
and romance, understand the basics of dramatic composition and will
have practiced their ability to analyze a character and communicate
their analysis in presentations and papers.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Hamlet | William Shakespeare | Arden, third series | 978-1904271338 | | | | | |
| Othello | William Shakespeare | Arden, third series | 978-1903436455 | | | | | |
| Twelfth Night | William Shakespeare | Arden, Third Series | 978-1-90343-699-8 | | | | | |
| Romeo and Juliet | William Shakespeare | Arden, second Series | 978-1903436417 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Presentations | Brief 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% |
| Home Papers | Two home papers (2000 words 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 theme of individual and society | 30% |
| Class participation | Students are required to take active part in the class
discussions, keeping up with the assigned reading and reacting to other
student's presentations. Silent attendance does not contribute to this
portion of
the grade. | 20% |
| Research Paper | Honor students will work throughout the course on a research paper due before the final exam. Students will select their own topic in agreement with the professor. | 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 extensive
knowledge 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 evaluate theory and concepts and relate them
to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not
simply a repetition of standard lecture and reference 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.
More than 4 absences may result in a lowering of the final grade and 7
absences may result in a failing grade. Tardiness is equally
unacceptable as it disturbs the lesson. If you enter the class after
attendance has been taken you late arrival will be registered and 4 late
arrivals will count as equivalent to one absence. Silent attendance is
not sufficient: students are required to actively participate in class,
to have their text books with them and to turn off electrical devices
(computers, mobiles etc.). Students are also expected to remain in the
class for the duration of the period.
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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.
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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.
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SCHEDULE
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| Session |
Session Focus |
Reading Assignment |
Other Assignment |
Meeting Place/Exam Dates |
| Week 1 (3-5 September) |
Introduction to the course |
Start Reading Twelfth Night |
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| Week 2 (10-12 September) |
Twelfth Night General Introduction |
Twelfht Night Acts I - III |
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| Week 3 (17-19 September) |
Twelfht Night |
Twelfth Night Acts III to V |
Monday 17 September, Presentations Acts I to III |
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| Week 4 (24-26 September) |
Twelfth Night |
Start Reading Romeo and Juliet |
Monday 24 September, Presentations Acts III to V |
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| Week 5 (1-3 October) |
Romeo and Juliet General Introduction |
Romeo and Juliet Acts I to III |
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| Week 6 (8-10 Octorber) |
Romeo and Juliet Acts I to III |
Romeo and Juliet Acts Iv and V |
Monday 10 October, Presentations Acts I to III |
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| Week 7 (15-17 October) |
Romeo and Juliet Acts III to V |
Romeo and Juliet Acts IV and V |
Monday 15 October, Presentations Acts III to V
1st Home Paper Due on Wednesday October 17 |
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| Week 8 (22-24 October) |
Hamlet General Introduction |
Hamlet Acts I to III |
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| Week 9 (29-31 October) |
Hamlet Acts I to III |
Hamlet Acts I to III |
Monday 29 october Presentations Acts I to III |
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| Week 10 (5-7 November) |
Hamlet Acts III to V |
Hamlet Acts III to V |
Monday 5 November presentations acts IV and V |
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| Week 11 (12-14 November) |
Othello general Introduction |
Othello Acts I to III |
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| Week 12 (19-21 November) |
Othello Acts IV and V |
Othello Acts IV to V |
Monday 19 November, presentations Acts I to III |
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| Week 13 (26-28 November) |
Othello Acts III to V |
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Monday 25 November Presentations Acts III to V |
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| Week 14 (3-5 December) |
Final considerations |
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2nd Home Paper due |
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