Cañada College Spring 2009
English Lit 151: Introduction To Shakespeare
Clay Lit 151 AA, crn: 40639
TTh 11:10-12:25 13-114
3 units, Prereq: ENGL 100. Transfer: CSU: C1, UC. (IGETC: 3B)

Instructor: David Clay email: clayd@smccd.edu
web page:<http://smccd.net/accounts/clayd/>
telephone (650)306-3379
office hours: room 3-242, MW 10:30-11:30, TTh 1:00-2:00 & by arrangement

Course Description:
Study of representative plays and sonnets of Shakespeare. A chronological sequence of plays from Shakespeare’s career are discussed, including works representative of different genres. A selection of sonnets will be read and studied.

Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to interpret themes and meanings of Shakespeare’s plays,
read and discuss the complex syntax and style of Shakespeare’s language,
identify and discuss figurative language, imagery, tone, poetic techniques,
demonstrate critical thinking and writing skills in analyzing the plays and sonnets,
read and evaluate the works from various critical perspectives - i.e. feminist, political, multicultural, ethnic, activist...

Course Content:
reading 5 plays of Shakespeare and representative sonnets
criticizing and analyzing film versions of the plays
understanding the basic genres of the plays
through reading, discussion, class presentations to understand the connection between the works
and the times
discuss the relevance to Shakespeare’s work to current ideas and political conflicts

Course Activities:
large group discussions led by the instructor
small group discussions, collaborations
class presentations, videos, performances
brainstorming, prewriting, outlining, rough draft evaluations, final drafts, revisions, critical essays
in-class quizzes and examinations
writing at least 2 critical essays

Evaluation: Grades will be determined by the instructor’s evaluation of
mid-term and final examinations (40%)
essays (40%)
quizzes (10%)
class participation (10%)
You must complete all major assignments to pass the course.

Policies:
Late Papers: Assignments are due on the dates shown on the assignment sheets. If special circumstances occur, please discuss the situation with me, but papers which are more than a few days late will be graded down.
Plagiarism: Don't even think about it. All writing must be your own work, and the development of your essays must be evident to me in the notes, outlines, and rough drafts that are turned in with every essay. A rough draft should be rough; don't worry about neatness on the developmental material and do not copy it over after you have completed the final draft. Any essay that does not have appropriate developmental material attached will be handed back without a grade. You may not hand in essays that you have written for previous classes. If you plagiarize a paper or any part of a paper you may receive a grade of “F” for that assignment. In addition, you will be referred to the division dean for further discipline as appropriate.
Revisions: Editing and revision are a fundamental part of the writing process, and you are welcome to revise one of your papers after they have been graded. Please discuss this with me so that you know what I expect from you, and be sure to hand in the original paper along with the revision. In some cases I may require that you edit or revise a paper.
Essay Format: All of your work written outside of class must be typed, double spaced, with the class heading on the first page. Attach preparatory work to the back of the final draft. Use MLA style.
Attendance: If you miss more than 6 hours of class, you may be dropped from the course. Please be on time to class. If you are late more than once or twice I will count your tardies as partial absences. Attendance is especially important for this course since we will watch and discuss films, and rely on group presentations.

Texts: .
Shakespeare. The Merchant of Venice. Barron’s Shakespeare Made Easy. PB, 00812035704
... Romeo &Juliet. Barron’s Shakespeare Made Easy. 0812035720
... Midsummer Night’s Dream, A Barron’s Shakespeare Made Easy 0812035844
... Othello. Barron’s Shakespeare Made Easy. 9780764120589
....Shakespeare’s Sonnets. Arden 1903436575
…Greer, Germaine. Shakespeare, A Very Short Introduction. 9780192802491