English 339--Introduction to Shakespeare

(Revised Syllabus October 25 2011)

Texts

• All plays should be read in Signet Classic second revised edition. These are reliable, inexpensive, well annotated and supplemented with critical essays. The appropriate text must be brought to every class.

Performances

• We will view complete performances of each play, live, on video and dvd or streaming. We will also view live performances of one scene from each play presented by fellow students during class on dates specified.

Workload and Grading

• Interpretation of letter grades by Professor Katharine Rummell
  
• Four Scantron quizzes for a total of 25%
  • A=9 out of 10; B=8; C=7; D=6; F=5 or less. 10 provides extra credit.
  • The quiz consists of ten quotations requiring your identification of the speaker. If you know the names of the main characters and have followed the plot in your reading of the play, these identifications should not be difficult.
  • Watching the video version of the play will help you make these identifications, but most of the video performances cut large portions out of the script. The quiz tests your reading comprehension. If you have trouble understanding Shakespeare's English or following what's going on in the plot, it is helpful to read along while you watch the complete-text BBC video versions available in the library.
    
• Four papers for a total of 50%
  • Each paper should fill only one page using any font size and spacing, appear attractive, be free of spelling and grammatical errors, and develop a single major point. Papers can refer to but not repeat material raised in class. The paper should be emailed to the instructor as a Microsoft Word attachment no later than the beginning of class on the date due. The attachment must be titled with your last name, section, and the number of the paper, for example, "Marx04paper1.doc". The paper will be returned with comments and edits in "Track Changes."
• Papers should take a variety of approaches, for example: explication of the rhetorical effects of a single passage, exploration of a strand of images or recurrent theme, discussion of a character or a change in character or a relationship, study of an intense dramatic moment, argument in attack or defense of a character or a moral judgement by a character, study of the relation between text and subtext, discussion of genre, comparison of an element in two or more plays, research on a relevant historical item.
• Accompanying each paper, on a separate page, write about the complete performances of each play you watched. Include specific description of settings, characterizations, cuts, expansions, and the way they express interpretations of the Shakespearean text. Unlike the paper, this performance review will not be graded or edited, but the paper will be penalized one full grade if the review is not submitted.
• For tips on writing, consult these documents:
• Anthology of A papers for this class
  
1. "Dr. Marx's Special Formula"
2. "Plagiarism"
3. "A Paradigm for Literary Analysis"
4. "Theatre and Film Vocabulary"
   
   
• A one-hour midterm examination for a total of 10%
  
• A one-hour final examination for a total of 15%
  

  Each exam consists of a one-hour 500 word essay on a theme that appears in all the plays studied. A preparation sheet listing several possible options for the topic will be distributed as a study guide.

• Participation

  • Participation in class discussion is expected from everyone.
  • Every student participates in one of the scenes performed in class, either as actor, director or technician. This participation is not graded. Casting takes place two weeks before performance. Preparation for these scenes includes memorization of lines, blocking, rehearsal and costuming. They can be performed in the classroom or anywhere else on campus. No British accents please!
    
• GWR
  • The 500 word essay which comprises the midterm and final examinations will be graded separately for those seeking to satisfy the Graduation Writing Requirement. Students who choose to do so may take diagnostic and practise GWR exams during office hours by arrangement with the instructor.

Rules

• Late papers are penalized one full grade for each class session's delay unless a postponement is granted by the instructor in advance.
• Three unexcused absences lower the grade by one half letter; seven unexcused absences result in no credit. Three unexcused latenesses count for one absence. Absences can be excused with written medical or other certification.
• Plagiarism or other forms of cheating result in a failing grade and referral to the dean. Students are responsible for understanding the definition of plagiarism, which is provided here. A word to the wise: problems with plagiarism are on the increase. Last quarter I had to fail three students because of it.
• Behavior to avoid: arriving late or leaving early; using cell phones and smart phones in class; using laptops or ipads for anything but notetaking; packing up disruptively before the class is dismissed; eating in class; sleeping in class; reading newspapers; chatting with neighbors.

Supplementary Resources

• Kennedy Library has a good collection of Shakespeare materials. Check the 2391 items in Polycat--at http://poetry.lib.calpoly.edu/search/d?SEARCH=shakespeare--or better yet browse the shelves in the fourth floor PR 2894 section. Included there are back issues of two fine scholarly journals: Shakespeare Quarterly and Shakespeare Survey. Current issues of both are available on the second floor periodicals desk.