ENGL 1109 - Beginning Shakespeare

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2023

This course will look closely at four Shakespeare plays, one each from the major genres of comedy, tragedy, tragi-comedy (romance), and history. Topics covered will include character, form, spectacle, theme, sources, the original conditions of production and performance, and the reproduction of Shakespeare's plays in a contemporary context. Students will be introduced to a range of critical approaches to Shakespeare's plays, and will be encouraged to reflect on questions of canonicity, cultural value and authority, and the politics of production and reproduction. The course is suitable for students with little or no prior knowledge of Shakespeare, those wishing to become more familiar with the playwright's work, and those aiming to teach Shakespeare.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code ENGL 1109
    Course Beginning Shakespeare
    Coordinating Unit English, Creative Writing, and Film
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Incompatible ENGL 1107; ENGL 2216
    Assessment Online quizzes 20%, Textual Analysis 30%, Research Essay 40%, Participation 10%.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Lucy Potter

    Associate Professor Lucy Potter
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 Demonstrate an understanding of Shakespearean drama in its original contexts and in subsequent critical receptions
    2 Build close reading skills, and the ability to correctly use and reference primary and secondary texts
    3 Demonstrate an understanding of the key terms and concepts at work in Shakespearean drama
    4 Undertake basic research and apply it in an argument that engages in scholarly debate
    5 Write logical, coherent, and persuasive arguments based on evidence
    6 Use technologies relevant to the University learning environment
    7 Work with others in the exploration of ideas and collectively negotiate solutions to problems
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1, 3, 5

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    2, 4, 6, 8

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    6, 7, 9

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    7

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    7, 8

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    6, 7
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Primary Texts: 
    A Midsummer Night's Dream
    Othello
    The Winter's Tale
    King Henry V

    Secondary Texts:
    The New Cambridge Companion to Shakespeare
    The Merchant of Venice
    Recommended Resources
    The Barr Smith Library Libguide for the course
    Oxford English Dictionary (online)
    Open Source Shakespeare (online)
    Online Learning
    Relevant online learning resources to be provided throughout. All lectures recorded and available on MyUni.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    One formal lecture per week followed by a two-hour workshop with a variety of activities, such as exploration of key terms and concepts, textual analysis tasks, the 'translation' of passages into performance, and role play. Supported by online quizzes and activities.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Students will commit to the equivalent of 156 hours per semester.
    Learning Activities Summary
    Week 1: Introduction, How to Read a Shakespeare Play
    Week 2: A Midsummer Night's Dream #1
    Week 3: Othello #1
    Week 4: The Winter's Tale #1
    Week 5: Henry V #1
    Week 6: Staging, Key Terms and Concepts #1
    Week 7: A Midsummer Night's Dream #2
    Week 8: Othello #2
    Week 9: The Winter's Tale #2
    Week 10: King Henry V #2
    Week 11: Key Terms and Concepts #2
    Week 12: Conclusion and course consolidation
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Task Type Due Weighting Learning Outcome
    Online quizzes Summative

    Throughout the semester

    20% 1, 3, 8
    Textual analysis Formative and Summative Week 6 30% 1, 2, 6, 9
    Essay Summative Week 10 40% 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9
    Participation Formative and Summative Throughout the semester 10% 1, 2, 3, 7
    Assessment Related Requirements
    All written assessment tasks must be attempted in order to pass the course.
    Assessment Detail
    Online quizzes: students will be required to complete 8 short online quizzes to test knowledge of all the set plays and set secondary resource - 20%
    Textual analysis: students will be required to complete a textual analysis of a selected passage from one of the set plays of 1000 words - 30%
    Research essay: students will be required to write a research essay of 2000 words on a set play other than the one chosen for the textual analysis assignment - 40%
    Participation: students will be required to work with others in the lecture and workshop settings to answer and/or explore key terms and concepts quizzes and evaluate performance options -10%
    Submission
    Online quizzes: answers submitted online
    Written work: submission via Turnitin on MyUni
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
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