The Renaissance, or Early Modern Period, was a time of enormous political, economic and social change. Ideas which lay at the heart of the Renaissance marked the true beginning of modern philosophy. These tenets, based largely on the value of an individual’s mind, body and soul, challenged religious and political authority. In this course, we will explore how the major literary artist of the time, William Shakespeare, addressed the many questions which arose in light of these new ways of thinking.

OBJECTIVES:

All papers will follow MLA format: Typed, double-spaced, use parenthetical citations and, when necessary, a list of works cited, including references made to primary sources. (Sample MLA-style papers can be found in Canvas)  The main point of the response papers is to allow you the opportunity to explore specific aspects of texts that you find interesting in terms of the major themes and issues we discuss. More specific guidelines will be found in Canvas.

English 418 aims to teach students to:

• identify the major historical events associated with the War of the Roses, the rise of the Roman Empire, and the transition from Elizabethan to Jacobean England, and explain their significance to the assigned histories and other plays and poems as applicable.
  
• identify the major and pivotal minor characters in each play read during the semester.
• identify and explain the major critical  approaches to Shakespeare's works.
  
• demonstrate their understanding of course content through participation in class discussions, oral presentations, critical response papers, research papers, and examinations.

1. evaluate the influence of historical and biographical events on Shakespeare's writings.
2. analyze the texts discussed in the course in terms of representative themes.
   
3. distinguish between different texts in terms of their aesthetic, political, and philosophical viewpoints.
4. produce effective arguments, in both oral and written forms, regarding Shakespeare's writings, incorporating relevant critical theory.

• Class participation
• Critical response paper
• Oral presentation
• Documented research paper using MLA style
• Midterm and final examinations

GRADING:

Class Participation Critical Response Paper Midterm Exam Student Presentation Research Paper Final Exam

20 % 10 % 20 % 10 % 20 % 20 %

A: 90-100 B: 80-89 C: 70-79 D: 60-69 F: 0-59

COURSE POLICIES:

Attendance. Students are expected to attend every class. If you are forced to miss class, written verification for the reason for your absence is expected. Because of the importance of regular attendance, excessive (more than three) unexcused class absences will result in the loss of points from the final average. Excessive lates will also lower your grade. The complete attendance policy can be found on the class homepage . Please come speak with me if you have any questions.

Reading Assignments, and Participation.  All assigned readings must be completed before coming to class. Please keep in mind that students are expected to read the editorial introduction to each work. You are expected to arrive prepared to provide thoughtful discussion of the daily readings, including the editorial introductions, responding to questions from the instructor or your classmates as they arise.  Classroom discussion will involve the open sharing of ideas and interpretations of the literature.  Because every person's opinion is valid, we will demonstrate civility and respect for each other, taking turns to provide our observations and not interrupting each other.  Only raised hands will be acknowledged.

Writing Assignments. There will be one (1) brief (800-word minimum) critical response paper, in addition to one (1) documented research paper (3000-word minimum), using a minimum of six documented secondary sources.

All papers will follow MLA format: Typed, double-spaced, use parenthetical citations and a list of works cited, including references made to the textbook (Sample MLA papers can be found in Canvas).  The critical response paper will require you to provide an analysis of a critical biography of William Shakespeare. A list of acceptable titles will be provided. The main point of the research paper is to allow you the opportunity to explore specific aspects of one of the plays we have discussed up until that point, focusing on the major themes and issues we will have discussed. The specific focus, though, is largely up to you.

• All papers must be submitted through Canvas as MS Word documents and are due by the end of the business day on which they are due.  
  
• Late papers will lose 2/3 of a letter grade for each class day.
• ** Plagiarism on any assignment will have dire consequences. **
• Please familiarize yourself with the policy  and let Dr. Mekler know if anything is unclear.
• In order to have your final research paper accepted, your topic must be approved by the stated deadline. Please come talk to Dr. Mekler if you have any questions.

Reading List (Subject to Subtle Revision):

Jan	17	Course Introduction
	19	Greenblatt, Norton Introduction, 1-41 "Shakespeare's World" "The Playing Field"
	22	Greenblatt, Norton Introduction, 41-72 "Shakespeare's Life and Art" "The Dream of the Master Text"
	24	Greenblatt, Norton Introduction, concl.
	26	Sonnets: 1, 3, 18, 20
		Histories
	29	I Henry IV, Acts 1-2
	31	I Henry IV, Acts 3-5
Feb	2	I Henry IV, concl.
	5	Henry V, Acts 1-2
	7	Henry V, Acts 3-5
	9	Henry V, concl.
	12	Richard III, Acts 1-2
	14	Richard III, Acts 3-5
	16	Richard III, concl.
		Comedies
	19	Midsummer Night's Dream, Acts 1-2
	21	Midsummer Night's Dream, Acts 3-5
	23	** Wellness Day: No Class **
	26	Midsummer Night's Dream, concl.
	28	The Merchant of Venice, Acts 1-2
Mar	1	The Merchant of Venice, Acts 3-5
	4	The Merchant of Venice, concl.
	6	Midterm Examination
	8	Discussion of Critical Response Paper
	11	Twelfth Night, Acts 1-2
	13	Twelfth Night, Acts 3-5
	15	Twelfth Night, concl.
	18-22	** Spring Break: No Class **
	25	All's Well That Ends Well, Acts 1-2 Critical Response Paper Due
	27	All's Well That Ends Well, Acts 3-5
	29	All's Well That Ends Well, concl. Research Paper Topic Due
		Tragedies
Apr	1	Romeo and Juliet, Acts 1-2
	3	Romeo and Juliet, Acts 3-5
	5	Romeo and Juliet, concl.
	8	Hamlet, Acts 1-2
	10	Hamlet, Acts 3-5
	12	Hamlet, concl.  Deadline to Have Research Paper Topic Approved
	15	Macbeth, Acts 1-2
	17	Macbeth, Acts 3-5
	19	Macbeth, concl.
	22	King Lear, Acts 1-2
	24	King Lear, Acts 3-5
	26	King Lear, concl.
		Romance
	29	The Tempest, Acts 1-2 **Graduating Seniors: Research Paper Due**
May	1	The Tempest, Acts 3-5
	3	The Tempest, concl. ** Graduating Seniors: Deadline to take Final Exam and Submit Any Work or Excuses for the Semester **
	6	Sonnets: 73, 116, 130, 144
	8	Final Review
	10	Research Paper Due on Canvas by End of Business Last Day to Submit Assignments other than the Research Paper
	13	Final Exam (subject to change) Last Day to Submit the Research Paper