Fall 2020 - ENGL 311 D100
Early Shakespeare (4)
Class Number: 4229
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Sep 9 – Dec 8, 2020: Tue, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby -
Exam Times + Location:
Dec 12, 2020
Sat, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Torsten Kehler
kehlert@telus.net/tkehler@sfu.ca
Office Hours: Mondays 12:30-13:30
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Prerequisites:
Two 100 division English courses, and two 200 division English courses.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
A study of the works of William Shakespeare performed before 1601. Students may take both ENGL 311 and 313 for credit towards the English major. Students with credit for ENGL 312 may not take this course for further credit without permission of the department.
COURSE DETAILS:
“Shakespeare, Scheming and Success"
This course will focus on four plays from the first half of Shakespeare’s career: Titus Andronicus, Richard III, Richard II, and Julius Caesar. We will set the stage by first looking at a selection of chapters from Machiavelli’s The Prince, an early modern work that can be used to illuminate political drama. Then we will turn to one of Shakespeare’s first plays, Titus Andronicus, a political revenge play set in Rome. We will then read two of Shakespeare’s greatest English history plays: the justly famous Richard III and the underrated masterpiece Richard II. Our final play will be Julius Caesar, possibly Shakespeare’s richest political play. In addition to being very entertaining, all of these plays treat the interrelated themes of scheming, ambition and the exercise of power. One key question they raise is: how and why is the honour driven warrior ethos replaced by the most successful dissembling modern political agent?
Students will be required to use David Wootton's (Hackett Publishers) online or paperback edition of Machiavelli’s The Prince, which is translated superbly and is also affordable. We will read around two thirds of this short work. I will tell you which chapters. I've chosen the Bloomsbury Arden Shakespeare editions (in paperback) to be our texts this semester. These represent the finest editions available and I urge you to use them in hard copies or kindle/e-book editions.
Students should be advised that the course will be delivered remotely, with a mix of recorded Lectures and emails, and some on-line meetings (via Zoom or another platform). Please note that I prefer THIS email address: kehlert@telus.net
COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
Comprehend Shakespearean drama at a high level. Write about the plays effectively. Read early modern texts and develop a grounding in the relevant political thought that informs these plays. Enjoy these deep, rich plays.
Grading
NOTES:
On-line attendance, and class participation 10%
Short assignments and assigned tasks 10%
First Essay (approx. 6-7 pages) 40%
Second Essay (approx. 6-7 pages) 40%
Materials
MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:
The texts for this class are widely available and my be ordered either at local bookstores or through online services.
REQUIRED READING:
The Prince, Machiavelli. Edited by David Wootton
ISBN: 978-0872203167
Richard II, Shakespeare. Ed. C. Forker. Bloomsbury Arden Shakespeare.
ISBN: 978-1903436332
Titus Andronicus, Shakespeare. Ed. J. Bate (2nd edition). Bloomsbury Arden Shakespeare.
ISBN: 978-1350030916
Richard III, Shakespeare. Ed. J. Siemon. Bloomsbury Arden Shakespeare.
ISBN: 978-1903436899
Julius Caesar, Shakespeare. Ed. D. Daniell. Arden Bloomsbury Shakespeare.
ISBN: 9781903436219
Department Undergraduate Notes:
IMPORTANT NOTE Re 300 and 400 level courses: 75% of spaces in 300 level English courses, and 100% of spaces in 400 level English courses, are reserved for declared English Major, Minor, Extended Minor, Joint Major, and Honours students only, until open enrollment begins.
For all On-Campus Courses, please note the following:
- To receive credit for the course, students must complete all requirements.
- Tutorials/Seminars WILL be held the first week of classes.
- When choosing your schedule, remember to check "Show lab/tutorial sections" to see all Lecture/Seminar/Tutorial times required.
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.
Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html
TEACHING AT SFU IN FALL 2020
Teaching at SFU in fall 2020 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.
Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).