Cañada College Spring 2010
English Lit 151: Introduction To Shakespeare Clay Lit 151, crn: 40639 TTh 11:10-12:25 13-15 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, MTWTh 9:00-9:30, WM 11:10-12:00 & 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 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 and study questions (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 be dropped from the course or receive a grade of “F” for the course. 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 or two 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. King Lear. Arden Shakespeare. 3rd ed. 1997. …The Merchant of Venice. Barron’s Shakespeare Made Easy. ... Midsummer Night’s Dream, A Barron’s Shakespeare Made Easy. ... Twelfth Nigh. Baron’s Shakespeare Made Easy ....Shakespeare’s Sonnets. Arden . §