Fall 2022 - ENGL 312 D100
Shakespeare and the Stage: 1570-1642 (4)
Class Number: 4516
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Sep 7 – Dec 6, 2022: Mon, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Torsten Kehler
tkehler@sfu.ca
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Prerequisites:
30 units or two 200-division English courses.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
Study of the dramatic works of William Shakespeare and other early modern English authors. This course may be repeated for credit if a different topic is taught.
COURSE DETAILS:
“Shakespeare: Power, Performance and Politics"
This course will focus on four of Shakespeare’s richest political plays: Titus Andronicus, Richard III, Richard II, and Julius Caesar. We will begin by looking at a selection of chapters from Niccolo Machiavelli’s The Prince, an early modern work that illuminates political drama as well as, or better than, any other work. Shakespeare and his contemporaries may not have had access to full and authoritative editions of Machiavelli, but they saw the importance of his insights into power, performance and politics. 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. With our final play, we circle back to Rome, and examine one of Shakespeare’s most powerful political plays: Julius Caesar. In addition to being very entertaining, all of these plays treat the interrelated themes of scheming, ambition and the exercise of power.
Students will be required to use David Wootton's (Hackett Publishers) online or paperback edition of Machiavelli’s The Prince, which is a superb (and affordable) translation. We will read just over one half of this short work. The course syllabus will tell you which chapters to read and so will I, in Lecture. I've chosen the Bloomsbury Arden Shakespeare editions (in paperback) as our course texts. These are among the finest editions available (kindle/e-book editions are allowed). Please acquire these online or from a local bookstore by early September. Here is the order in which we'll read these works: Wootton's Machiavelli, Titus Andronicus, Richard III, Richard II, and Julius Caesar.
Each Seminar will work together to produce a short (~15 minute) dramatic performance based on an episode or short scene. This will be a fun and educational undertaking, and the assignment is a "free" 5%. If you don't wish to act, you can contribute to directing, set design, organization, etc.
The quiz is multiple choice and will be based on Lecture and Seminar material.
COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
Comprehend Shakespearean drama at a high level. Write about the plays effectively. Read early modern texts very carefully, and develop a grounding in the relevant political thought. Analyze the key decisions taken by major protagonists. Enjoy these deep, rich plays.
Grading
NOTES:
Attendance and class participation 15%
End of term in-class multiple choice quiz 20%
Short colloborative dramatic performance 5%
First (aka mid-term) Essay (approx. 6 pages) 30%
Second (aka end-of-term) essay (approx. 6 pages) 30%
Materials
MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:
The texts for this class are widely available and my be ordered either at local bookstores or online. Electronic versions are fine but please use the editions required.
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
REQUIRED READING NOTES:
Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.
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 website 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