Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2022 - ENGL 433W D100

Seminar in British Literatures (4)

Class Number: 5135

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Tue, Thu, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    45 units or two 300 division English courses.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Advanced seminar in British literature. May be organized by author, genre, period, or critical approach. This course may be repeated for credit if a different topic is taught. Writing.

COURSE DETAILS:

EARLY EARLY MODERN DRAMA

That London, ca. 1600, had a thriving and brilliant stage scene is old news. We tend to forget, accordingly, that it was once new. The first continuing, purpose-built theatre (marvellously called The Theatre) dates only to 1576. Not until the late 1580s, moreover, do the plays that we still read start to get written and performed. In this course, we will investigate that very early phase of the dramatic canon. Reading Kyd, Marlowe, and the young Shakespeare, we will try to understand how and why the play became, in the first place, the thing.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

See above.

Grading

  • Three Response Papers (2-3 pages each) 30%
  • Presentation or Project 30%
  • Term Paper (10 pages) 40%

NOTES:

The Response Papers should grow out of your reading and thinking. Each of them should be an attempt to identify, articulate, and try to explain something about some aspect of our plays that is (in your opinion) interesting. (Obviously, we will discuss further what that means.) The Presentation should be keyed to your work on the Term Paper. Students who don't want to present in class can fulfill this requirement through the Discussions function on Canvas. As for the Term Paper itself, it should probably include some secondary research. However, our emphasis will be on ideas and argument, not performance or busywork. No Final Exam.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Six (or maybe if we have time seven) plays. For editions, ISBNs, etc., please see the Boosktore entry for this course.

REQUIRED READING:

Thomas Kyd, The Spanish Tragedy.

Christopher Marlowe, Tamburlaine the Great (Parts One and Two).

Christopher Marlowe, The Jew of Malta.

Shakespeare, Henry the VI, Part One.

Shakespeare, The Comedy of Errors.

Shakespeare, Richard III.

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 SPRING 2022

Teaching at SFU in spring 2022 will involve primarily in-person instruction, with safety plans in place.  Some courses will still be offered through remote methods, and if so, this will be clearly identified in the schedule of classes.  You will also know at enrollment whether remote course components will be “live” (synchronous) or at your own pace (asynchronous).

Enrolling in a course acknowledges that you are able to attend in whatever format is required.  You should not enroll in a course that is in-person if you are not able to return to campus, and should be aware 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.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who may need class or exam accommodations, including in the context of remote learning, are advised to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as early as possible in order to prepare for the spring 2022 term.