Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2018 - ENGL 311 D100

Early Shakespeare (4)

Class Number: 1457

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 3 – Apr 10, 2018: Mon, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 23, 2018
    Mon, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • 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: The Early Years.
This course will look at the first half of Shakespeare’s career, focussing on his experiments with the genres of comedy, tragedy, and history. Special attention will be paid to Shakespeare’s innovations in dramatic form, the evolution of his prosody, and the complex cultural status of the Elizabethan professional theatre.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

By the end of the course students should have an understanding of

  • Elizabethan theatrical practice
  • Dramatic verse
  • Classical, medieval, and continental influences on Elizabethan drama
  • Shakespeare's dramatic innovations
  • The interpretative possibilities in the performance of Shakespeare's plays

Grading

  • participation/presentation 15%
  • first essay (1,500 words) 20%
  • second essay (2,500 words) 35%
  • final exam (open textbook) 30%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

  • Titus Andronicus 
  • Romeo and Juliet 
  • The Merchant of Venice 
  • Henry IV, pt. 1 
  • Julius Caesar
  • As You Like It
I have ordered these plays in the Oxford World Classics editions but any study edition published in the past 20 years should suffice. If you have doubts about your edition, please contact me. Please note: we will not be using electronic editions in this course.

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:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/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

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS