Text Analysis Seminars: Shakespeare

- This syllabus is subject to change Instructor Annie J. Pennell, M.Ed. Office Hours and Contact Information: Meetings can be arranged by appointment. E-mail: annie.pennell@gmail.com Seminar Description and Objectives As the playwright Ben Johnson claimed, Shakespeare was not of an age, but for all time. His imaginative and entertaining plays are, hundreds of years after they were written and performed, continuously read and loved by people all over the world. Rather than aspiring to become the canonical mouthpiece of the Renaissance in England, Shakespeare sought to bring life to words with his creative genius. As a class, we will explore the worlds he created, constantly aware of the time and culture in which they were written and performed. Be prepared for the unexpected. Come ready to act with faeries and Moors alike. You have now entered the world of Shakespeare, and there is no turning back. Course Texts Digital copies Course Requirements o Midterm Exam - 30% o Final Production - 40% o Participation - 15% o Attendance - 15% Attendance and Participation Attendance is required for each seminar this semester. More than four absences will result in failure. There will be no exceptions. Participation points will be earned through the contributions you make to class and small group discussions each week. Dialogue allows us to exchange ideas, ask questions, and partake in friendly debates this way we will not only learn from one another, but we will also be able to pursue a deeper understanding of the plays we read. Reading Assignments Each reading assignment should be read prior to the seminar in which they are discussed. It will be difficult to participate meaningfully in class discussion and group analysis without reading the assigned

literary texts. Midterm Exam The midterm will be completed during a regular class period as noted on the schedule. The exam will consist of one passage from A Midsummer Nights Dream that requires written analysis and short answer questions about the play. Please ensure you are present the midterm exam cannot and will not be rescheduled if you are absent. Final Exam Like the midterm, the final exam will be distributed during the final class period. You will need to identify and analyze a few different passages from the plays we have covered throughout the semester. These passages will also be accompanied by short answer questions about Shakespeare and his respective plays. More information will be available closer to the end of the seminar. **Please note: You must be present for the final exam as scheduled to receive a score for the seminar. Technology Policy The use of cell phones is prohibited in class. If you have an emergency, please excuse yourself from class to avoid any disruptions. Laptops are not necessary for class discussions and analysis. Please keep your computers in your backpack or at home. Learning Accommodations If you need learning accommodations, please notify me in private as soon as possible. I will make the necessary accommodations to ensure you are successful in the text analysis seminars. Office Hours I understand this course will be challenging and I am here to help. Whether you would like support on class assignments or simply want to practice your English, please feel free to make an appointment. Schedule of Assignments February 17: No class. February 24: No class. March 3: Introduction to Shakespeare

March 10: A Midsummer Nights Dream, p. 805-811 A Midsummer Nights Dream Read 1.1 2.2 March 17: A Midsummer Nights Dream Read 3.1 3.3 March 24: A Midsummer Nights Dream Read 4.1 5.2 March 31: Midterm Exam April 7: Othello, p. 2091-2098 Othello Read 1.1 - 2.2 April 14: Othello Read 2.3 3.4 April 21: Othello Read 4.1 5.2 April 28: Easter Break May 5: Twelfth Night, p. 1761-1767 Twelfth Night Read 1.1 2.2 May 12: Twelfth Night Read 2.3 3.3 May 19: Twelfth Night Read 3.4 -5.1 May 26: Final Exam