Instructor: Tim Williams
Course Time: TR 12:30-1:45pm
Location: 136 South Spencer

Office: 136G McIver
Hours: F 2-5pm
E-mail: tlwilli4@uncg.edu

Required Texts
Greenblatt, Stephen et al. The Norton Shakespeare.
McDonald, Russ. The Bedford Companion to Shakespeare: an Introduction with Documents.

Course Description and Objectives
This course will develop your critical reading and writing skills, thereby preparing you for further study in many academic fields. As the course focuses on Shakespeare, students will gain an appreciation for his life and literary accomplishments. Rather than surveying a vast number of “the Bard’s” works, we will study a select number of sonnets, one comedy (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), and one tragedy (Hamlet). It is my hope that students will acquire a rich understanding of the assigned reading.

Assignments and Grading
Attendance, Performances, and Presentations (25%)
Presentations (Poetry, 5-7 min.)
• Choose any two sonnets to compare/contrast. What ideas does Shakespeare develop in/between these two poems?
• Reaction (what do you like, dislike about the poems; what is striking?).

Performances
• 3 Groups of 4 or 5.
• One brief scene from both A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Hamlet.
• Props encouraged but not provided.
• Lines may or may not be memorized (note cards are fine).
• All students must contribute (creating props, set, and costumes counts towards performance; students must indicate their contributions on one-page responses to the dramatic performance assignment).

Papers (15% each)
• One paper per section (Sonnets, Comedy, Tragedy)
• Three to five (3-5) pages, type-written. Double-spaced, 12-pt. Times New Roman font. No exceptions.
• Indent each new paragraph. Sample papers available by request.
• PROOFREAD AND REVISE! I encourage everyone to use the Writing Center (101 McIver).

Quizzes (10%)
• I reserve the right to give quizzes on any of the assigned readings, whether primary (poems, stories, plays, etc.) or supplementary (e.g. prefatory sections).
• Vocabulary quizzes are fair game. If you stumble across an unfamiliar word, look it up in the dictionary and learn it.

Final Exam (20%)
• Multiple choice, short answer/fill in the blank, one or two essay questions.

Attendance Policy
Each student is permitted three unexcused absences. Upon the fourth unexcused absence, I have the options of lowering the final grade by one full letter grade and dropping the student from the course. Athletic or social events, extracurricular functions, late nights, must-see TV, non-tragic travel plans, alien abductions, or similarly absurd events do NOT constitute an excused absence. I do, however, make exceptions for verifiable illness, family tragedy, and major catastrophes. Regardless of cause, you are responsible for all information missed during your absence.

Policy on Punctuality and Cell Phones/Pagers
Class begins at 12:30pm. Please arrive on time – walking in late disturbs class. Please turn off your cell phone and/or pager before coming to class. I reserve the right to drop those students who have chronic problems with punctuality and/or cell phone/pager etiquette.

Communication Regarding Class
The easiest way to contact me is via email. I will more than likely check my email immediately before class. I ask that each student provide me with an active email address so that I may send you any necessary announcements.

Course Schedule

JANUARY
T 1/11
Introduction. Course overview.
Examine syllabus with class.
Homework: read Chapter 3 in The Bedford Companion: “Shakespeare, ‘Shakespeare’, and the Problem of Authorship.”

R 1/13 QUIZ
Biographical info on Shakespeare;
The Oxford debate. Contemporaries.
The Sonnet vogue.
Homework: read sonnets 1, 2, 14, 15,
16, 18, 20, 21, 27, 31, 32.
Read Chapter in The Bedford
Companion: “Town and Country: Life
in Shakespeare’s England”

T 1/18
Discuss sonnets 1, 2, 14, 15, 16 (group
I: the “procreation” sonnets).
Homework: re-read sonnets 1, 2, 14, 15,
16, 18, 20, 21, 27, 31, 32.
Read Chapter in The Bedford
Companion: “What is your Text?”

R 1/20
Discuss sonnets 18, 20, 21, 27, 31, 32
(group II: poetry and mortality).
Homework: read sonnets 34-38, 40, 42,
43, 46 (& 24), 47.

T 1/25
Begin presentations.
Read and discuss sonnets 34-38, 40, 42
Homework: re-read sonnets 34-38, 40,
42, 43, 46 (& 24), 47.
Read Chapter in The Bedford Companion: “Men and Women: Gender, Family, Society”

R 1/27
Presentations.
Discuss sonnets 43, 46 (& 24), 47.
Homework: read sonnets 54, 55, 60, 63, 65, 71, 73, 74, 76.

FEBRUARY
T 2/1
Presentations.
Discuss sonnets 54, 55, 60, 63, 65.
Homework: re-read sonnets 54, 55, 60,
63, 65, 71, 73, 74, 76.

R 2/3
Presentations.
Discuss sonnets 71, 73, 74, 76.
Map the plot of the sonnet sequence
thus far. What has happened? What are
the major subjects?
Homework: read sonnets 78-86, 87-91.

T 2/8
Presentations.
Discuss sonnets 78-86 (the rival
poet-lovers).
Homework: re-read sonnets 78-86, 87-
91.
R 2/10
Presentations.
Discuss sonnets 87-91.
Homework: read sonnets 94, 108, 122,
123, 127, 129, 130, 134, 138, 144, 153,
154.

T 2/15
Presentations.
Discuss sonnets 94, 108, 122, 123.
Homework: re-read sonnets 94, 108,
122, 123, 127, 129, 130, 134, 138, 144,
153, 154.

R 2/17
Conclude sonnet presentations.
Discuss sonnets 127, 129, 130, 134, 138, 144, 153, 154 (group III: the Dark Lady sequence).
Paper #1 assigned.
Homework: read MSND, Act I.

T 2/22
Discuss MSND, Act I.
Homework: read MSND, Act II.

R 2/24
Discuss MSND, Acts I and II.
Homework: read MSND, Act III.

MARCH
T 3/1
Discuss MSND, Acts II and III.
Homework: read MSND, Act IV.

R 3/3
Paper #1 due.
Discuss MSND, Acts III and IV.
Homework: read MSND, Act V.

T 3/8
NO CLASS: SPRING BREAK

R 3/10
NO CLASS: SPRING BREAK

T 3/15
QUIZ
Finish MSND.
Paper #2 assigned.
Homework: work on performances.

R 3/17
MSND scene performances.
Homework: reaction to performances.

T 3/22
View scenes from movie versions of
MSND and critique.
Homework: read Hamlet, Act I.

R 3/24
Discuss Hamlet, Act I.
Homework: read Hamlet, Act II.

T 3/29
Paper #2 due.
Discuss Hamlet, Acts I and II.
Homework: read Hamlet, Act III.

R 3/31
Discuss Hamlet, Acts II and III.
Homework: read Hamlet, Act IV.

APRIL
T 4/5
Discuss Hamlet, Acts III and IV
Homework: read Hamlet, Act V.

R 4/7
QUIZ
Discuss Hamlet, Act V.
Paper #3 assigned.
Homework: work on performances and
begin final papers.

T 4/12
Finish Hamlet.
Homework: work on performances and
final papers.

R 4/14
Hamlet scene performances.
Homework: work on final papers.

T 4/19
View scenes from movie versions of
Hamlet and critique.
Homework: work on final papers.

R 4/21
Paper #3 due.
Lecture: Shakespeare a la mode.
Dark Comedies, Histories, and
Romances.
Homework: review for final exam.

T 4/26
Lecture: Puritans, Plague, and
Astronomy in Early Modern England.
Distribute study guide for final exam.
Homework: study for final.

R 4/28
Review for final exam.
Homework: study.

MAY
T 5/3
Final exam.