Shakespeare: Text and Performance

English 425/10476
3 Credits
Tuesday and Thursday 2.00 – 3.15 pm
Keystone Hall 106 

M. G. Aune
Office Hours: TTh 8.00 – 9.15 & W 2.00-4.00
and by appointment
aune(at)calu.edu
724.938.4341
223 Azorsky Hall

Download a copy of the syllabus in pdf format

Syllabus

Prerequisite
ENG -101 or HON -150 and ENG -102 or HON -250.  Gen Ed: Humanities

Catalog Description
Explores in considerable depth, and with special reference to the condition of Shakespeare’s times and theater, some of his greatest plays, especially (a) those most often studied in secondary school and (b) his great tragedies.

Description
As the introduction to our text puts it as regards the original publication of Shakespeare’s plays, “[t]he public was . . . never meant to be in a direct relationship with the author but in a ‘triangular relationship’ in which the players gave voice and gesture to the author’s words” (75).  In other words, for Shakespeare’s audience, his plays were mediated by the actors in his company.  For us, in an English course, Shakespeare’s plays are mediated by another group: editors and publishers.  Thus our experience of Shakespeare, either as a book we read, a play we attend, or a film we screen, is always being interfered with by someone.  In this class we will examine Shakespeare’s plays and poems in terms of how they are mediated and how we mediate them.  We will read, analyze, and discuss them.  But we will also view, edit, and perform them better to learn how mediation functions, materially and ideologically, and perhaps better to understand why people still bother with Shakespeare so long after his death.
    The semester will have two parts.  The first will concern textual analysis and editing and conclude with an editing project. The second part will concern performance and will conclude with a performance project.  In addition, there will be occasionally quizzes on the homework and lectures, and three précis on theoretical essays that will be helpful to you in your two projects.

Text
Norton Shakespeare, Second Edition
A dictionary, bring to every class
Additional readings that will be available on the Blackboard site and listed on the calendar.

Grade Guidelines
These descriptions apply to the final grade in the class and the score on particular assignments.

A work is outstanding.  It goes beyond the basic requirements of the assignment and the class.  The work shows evidence of critical and original thinking.  Ideas are clearly supported and explained.

 B work is more than satisfactory.  It shows understanding of the given task and an understanding of the rules for writing as set out in the syllabus.  Thinking is clear, though not necessarily highly critical or highly original.  Ideas are supported and explained, although not always clearly or consistently. 

C work is satisfactory.  It shows familiarity with though not a complete understanding of the given task and rules for writing as set out in the syllabus.  Thought shows inconsistent critical engagement or originality.  Ideas are too broad and not clearly supported with evidence.  Writing tends to summarize or describe rather than analyze. 

D work is below average.  It shows an inconsistent understanding of the given task, text, and rules.  Thought and writing are often disorganized and do not communicate an understanding of audience or genre.  Paper seems to be written quickly with little attention to revision or proofreading.

F work is unsatisfactory.  It shows little if any understanding of the given task, text, or rules.  Thought and writing are disorganized and do not communicate an understanding of audience or genre. 

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities reserve the right to self-identify; must register with the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) to receive services; will provide the appropriate notice from OSD for accommodations that specifically involve faculty.
    Requests for approval for reasonable accommodations should be directed to OSD.  Approved accommodations will be recorded on the ODS Accommodation Approval notice and provided to the student.  Students are expected to adhere to the ODS procedures for self-identifying, providing documentation and requesting accommodations in a timely manner.  The OSD is located in Azorsky 105 and the telephone number is 724.938.5781.

Academic Honesty
According to the University Bulletin, “[t]ruth and honesty are necessary prerequisites for all education, and students who attempt to improve their grades or class standing through any form of academic dishonesty may be penalized by disciplinary action ranging from a verbal reprimand to a failing grade in the course or dismissal from the University. If the situation appears to merit a severe penalty, the professor will refer the matter to the appropriate dean or to the Provost. The student may appeal the penalty as outlined above with the Academic Integrity Committee hearing appeals above the level of Dean.” 
    I assume that all work you turn in for this course is yours, and any material that you have acquired from an outside source is documented properly.  Failure to do so is considered plagiarism and, per University policy, may result in failure of the assignment, of the course or dismissal from the University.

 Late Papers
You are responsible for turning in all work assigned in this class on time.  Late papers will lose ten points per day until they are turned in.  Any paper not turned in will receive a score of zero.

Paper Format
Unless otherwise noted, all assignments are to be type-written, double-spaced, with one-inch margins, in twelve-point Times font.  Your name, the date, the class, my name and the assignment are to be on the top of the first page.  Do not forget to title your work.  Any papers longer than one page must have page numbers and be stapled.

Attendance and Participation
According to the University Catalogue, “[r]egular class attendance is a prerequisite to successful class performance.”  Important parts of the work for this course will be done in small and large groups.  This means that your consistent presence is important to the success of the class as a whole.  If you are unable to attend class, you must contact me via phone or email within twenty-four hours.  You are still responsible for any work done or due in class that day.  Similarly, you are responsible for contacting your group members if you miss a class.  If you are more than fifteen minutes late to a class meeting or if you leave early, you will be considered absent.

            Participation includes not only contributing to class discussion, it also covers prompt attendance, listening and responding constructively to your classmates, attending class prepared to discuss the readings, and bringing your books and writing material to every class meeting.  If you attend class but are unprepared to discuss the homework, or do not have your books or writing material, you will be considered absent.  If you accumulate more than three absences, you may lose one letter grade from your final grade.  If you miss five or more classes, you will not pass the class. 

This syllabus makes no distinctions between excused and unexcused absences.  If you are a member of a sports team or other university organization and must miss a course because of that commitment, you must have your coach or advisor contact me in writing (not via phone or email) at least two weeks before the absence.

Cell Phones
Please turn off cell phones before class begins.  If you are expecting a very important phone call, turn your phone to silent mode and leave the room if it rings.  If you use your phone during class, you will be asked to leave and marked absent for that day. 

This webpage was designed for the use of the students of California University of Pennsylvania by M. G. Aune.  Last updated 22 January 2010.

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