ENGL 523 Shakespeare

This course examines the work of Shakespeare.

As an English graduate student, the student should be acquainted with the greatest writers and literature in history, and certainly Shakespeare stands in the top of that list.  No comprehensive understanding of literature is complete without a study of the Bard.  Shakespeare deals with life’s most significant elements, plumbing the depths of human experience and the meaning of life with uniqueness and extreme relevance.  His innovation with language, poetry, and drama is unmatched anywhere, and his presentation of life’s most compelling themes and ideas make his literature highly rewarding and pleasing.  As this course delves into Shakespeare, the student is encouraged to think deeply about the Christian concepts and life issues and questions that he presents.

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After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview. 

Discussions (4)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the students are required to submit a thread in response to the provided prompt listed in the discussion. The thread is due by Thursday of the assigned module. Each thread must be at least 500 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge whereby you include references and citations of course material. In addition to the thread, students are required to reply to 2 classmates’ threads. Each reply must be at least 250 words and should engage in the thesis of the peers original thread, and should be submitted by Sunday of the assigned module. Replies must add additional textual/literary references beyond what was included in the original post. Replies should challenge your peers’ theses by including ideas from course material or additional readings on related topics.

Reflection Assignments (4)

In this assignment, each student will write a response of 1-2 pages to the play in question. The purpose of this assignment is to give students an opportunity to reflect thoughtfully on course readings and to draw conclusions from reading.

Critical Paper Assignments (3)

Students will craft a critical paper based off one of Shakespeare’s plays. 

Critical Paper: Thesis Assignment

In this assignment, each student will draft a working (tentative) thesis statement for the critical paper. In a single sentence, the thesis should clearly and specifically convey the topic of the paper. This should give the writer (and eventually the reader) clear direction for the paper.

Critical Paper: Revised Thesis, Outline, and Works Cited Assignment

In this assignment, each student should revise their original thesis statement as needed. Then, based on that thesis, the student should create a working (tentative) outline, listing the main points that the paper will cover. The student should also create a working (tentative) list of 5 – 7 secondary sources for the paper, which MLA calls the Works Cited page. The purpose of these steps is to provide the student with a solid foundation for drafting the critical paper.  

Critical Paper: Final Draft Assignment

In this assignment, each student will finalize their 12 – 16 page critical paper, developing the argument set out in the paper’s thesis statement. The student will also use 5 – 7 research sources as a secondary method of support (the primary method being evidence from the play itself) for some of the points made in the paper.

Essay Assignment

In this assignment, each student will write an essay of 6 to 8 pages, on one aspect of either The Comedy of Errors, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, or King John. Familiarity with the reading is meant to help students feel confident to write an original analysis of some aspect of the selected play.