The ten week quarter is divided into five two week
periods, each focussed on one play. [English
339 Syllabus]
To promote timely and careful completion of reading,
the second class of each period begins with a multiple-choice
quiz requiring identification of ten speakers of crucial lines,
two questions per act.
Students are encouraged to view one of two performances--usually
the BBC full text video--to help prepare for this quiz.
Discussion of quiz questions and answers frames
an overview of plot, character, theme and language, informed by
a paradigm of critical concepts.
At the end of each two week period, students write
a one page paper on a topic of their own choice. Students select
their favorite paper for inclusion in Shakespeare
Boiled Down.
Reading notes, lecture notes, and notes on criticism are accessible
by play titles listed under Comedies,
Histories and Tragedies
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Students read four plays and a selection of sonnets. They also
read assigned critical essays on the plays and on the two film productions
of each play they view. [English
431 Syllabus]
Quizzes are not used unless deemed necessary. Students present
ten minute oral reports on textual passages, on the critical readings,
on a scene in a film production and on film criticism as basis for
class discussion. The 154 sonnets are divided into groups of 8.
Each student selects one of that group and reports on it. Individual
students are assigned readings appropriate to their level of ability.
Student comments on reading:
Joel Short
Heather McIntosh
Michelle Berchtold
Brandon Beach
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Students read three plays. In addition to assigned critical essays,
each student prepares for the writing of a research paper on a historical
topic by duplicating and presenting an archive of sample research
materials they have discovered. See [English
510 Syllabus] and letter
to registrants.
Student comments on reading:
Greg Choy
Marc Couacaud
Patty Estrada
Paula Huston
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