English 3203: Shakespeare: Histories and Comedies

Syllabus for ENGL 4203: Shakespeare: Histories and Comedies Fall 2011

This syllabus is subject to announced changes. You are responsible for all such changes whether or not you are present when they are announced.

CLASS DAY, TIME, & ROOM: Wed. 4:30-7:10 p.m., BALA 226

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. John Mercer, Professor of English, Department of Languages and Literature, College of Liberal Arts, Northeastern State University

Mailing address: NSU-BA, 3100 E. New Orleans St., Broken Arrow, OK 74014

Office phone: 918-449-6541 NSU-BA switchboard: 918-449-6000

Office: BALA 280

Office hours (all times are p.m. unless labeled otherwise): Mon. 11:30 a.m.-12:50, 3:50-6:30; Wed. 3:00-4:20, 7:20-7:50; Thurs. 5:30-7:10, 10:10-10:40

Fax for faculty in BALA: 918-449-6571 (Please include a cover sheet with my name.)

Mail box: Box 4 in BALA 261 (Give items for my mailbox to staff assistant in hallway G-267.)

E-mail: mercer@nsuok.edu or mercer25@att.net

Instructor’s faculty Web site: http://arapaho.nsuok.edu/~mercer or www.nsuok.edu > Current Students > Academics > Faculty Web Sites > Mercer

E-MAIL POLICY:

(1) You do NOT need to send the same message to BOTH of my e-mail addresses. My NSU e-mail is automatically forwarded to my ATT account.

(2) Please do NOT submit study guides or other assignments by e-mail unless I specifically ask you to do so or it is the only way you can submit the assignment on time. If you must submit a completed assignment by e-mail, send it by attachment, but also submit it in hard copy (to me, my office, my mailbox, or by fax) at your first opportunity.

(3) If you e-mail a rough draft of an essay exam for feedback, cut and paste it into a message; do NOT use an attachment.

CATALOG DESCRIPTION: “Examination of selected histories and comedies [by Shakespeare].” [No prerequisites.]

COURSE PURPOSE: ENGL 4203 counts as an advanced English elective for a B.A. in English or English Education or for a minor in English.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES: By the end of this course you should be able to

(1) apply knowledge of the historical background of Shakespeare’s life, times, theatre, and text to the plays studied (on objective exams).

(2) identify characteristics of Shakespeare’s romantic comedies and history plays, and apply these characteristics to the assigned plays in these genres (on objective exams).

(3) analyze the forms of poetry and prose used in the assigned plays (on objective exams).

(4) analyze theatrical elements of Shakespeare’s plays and of modern film adaptations (in video critiques).

(5) demonstrate your in-depth knowledge and understanding of a particular scene or passage (through performance).

(6) identify and analyze the plots, characters, themes, and language of the assigned plays (on essay exams).

(7) integrate examples from several plays to support a thesis concerning a theme in Shakespeare’s histories or comedies (on essay exams).

(8) read, understand, and interpret a Shakespearean comedy on your own (on oral exam on additional comedy).

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS:

(1) Please bring the required textbook to each class meeting: Evans, G. Blakemore, et al., eds. The Riverside Shakespeare. 2nd ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1997.

(2) For multiple-choice portion of exams: Scantron form and #2 pencil.

COMPUTER FORMAT AND MANUSCRIPT FORM: Use a computer to produce your documents for this class. Carefully follow the instructions in “Computer Format and Manuscript Form” near the top of my home page under “Documents for all classes.”

DAILY AVERAGE: Your daily average will be the percentage of possible points you earn out of the number possible for the following activities:

(1) QUIZZES: At the beginning of each class period, after you have had an opportunity to ask questions, you will be subject to a quiz on that day’s assigned reading. Each quiz will be worth approximately ten (10) points. To take quizzes, you must be present in class; you cannot make up missed quizzes for any reason. At my discretion, if a significant number of students are absent because of bad weather, the quiz may count as extra credit.

(2) STUDY GUIDES: The first week each play is assigned, you are expected to answer enough study guide questions to earn five (5) daily points. Fully answering all questions on a single study guide could be worth ten (10) or more points. Additional study-guide points you earn beyond those required will help compensate for any other daily points you miss during the semester.

(3) VIDEO CRITIQUES & COMPARISONS: Because plays are meant to be seen rather than merely read, and because we do not have time in class to watch complete films of plays, you will watch videos out of class and write critiques and comparisons of them. Follow the instructions in “Writing a Video Critique” and “Writing a Comparison of Two Videos” on the class Web page. Submit critiques and comparisons in class in hard copy rather than by e-mail. If, however, the only way you can submit a critique or comparison on time is by e-mail, please send it by attachment by 4:30 p.m. on the day it is due, and give me a hard copy the next time you are on campus.

STUDY GUIDES: A comprehensive study guide for each assigned play is posted on the class Web page. Please use each study guide as follows:

(1) As you read each play, read the study guide, and look for the answers to the questions.

(2) To receive daily points, before you come to class, answer as many of the questions as you can. Copy and paste the text of the study guide into your own document, and insert your answers in highlighting or color so they will stand out from the questions and explanatory material in the study guide. At the top of each study guide you submit, report the amount of time you spent answering the questions, not including time spent merely reading the assigned play.

(3) If you spend thirty (30) minutes or more answering any study-guide question marked extra credit, submit the answer separately from the rest of your study guide and with a completed “Extra-Credit Submission Form” on top. (See “Documents for all classes” near the top of my home page.)

(4) Bring to class a hard copy of your study guide with your answers inserted.

(5) In class ask about any study guide questions you can’t answer and, if you wish, make handwritten additions to your study guide.

(6) At the end of each class period, submit your study guide. I will assign daily points to your answers and return your study guide to you the following week.

(7) If a play is assigned for a second week, you are encouraged but not required to submit answers for any study-guide questions not answered in class the previous week.

(8) If you are not able to attend class but have a study guide to submit, please leave it at my office the next time you are on campus. Do NOT submit study guides by e-mail.

EXTRA-CREDIT DAILY POINTS: Place a completed “Extra-Credit Submission Form” on top of each extra-credit item you submit. Carefully follow the “Instructions for Extra-Credit Submissions.” Both of these documents are found near the top of the home page of my faculty Web site under “Documents for all classes.” Of the various ways to earn extra credit that are discussed under “Other Types of Extra Credit” in “Instructions for Extra-Credit Submissions,” the following apply to this class:

(1) PERFORMANCES: In addition to the videos you view for required video critiques and comparisons, watch Shakespearean comedies and history plays and other approved, relevant performances on stage, film, television, video, or DVD (or listen to audio recordings of assigned comedies and histories). Videos and audios of all the assigned plays (and other Shakespearean comedies and histories) are on reserve for checkout from the NSU-BA library. See “Videos and DVDs in NSU-BA Library” on the class Web page. Many other film versions of the assigned plays are available from commercial video stores, the Tulsa City-County Library system (especially Central Library’s Media Center), and www.Netflix.com and other online sites.

(2) CLIPPINGS AND INTERNET MATERIAL

(3) RECOMMENDATION OF WEB SITES

(4) ADDITIONAL READING: Read unassigned background material from the textbook or other sources or critical commentary about any of the assigned plays.

(5) ANALYSIS

(6) RESEARCH

(7) CREATIVE WRITING

(8) BRINGING VIDEOS TO CLASS: You may earn one (1) extra-credit daily point for bringing to class (for possible screening in class) a VHS or DVD version of the play we’re studying that evening. (Maximum points for bringing videos: one [1] point per week and ten [10] points for the semester.) To receive extra-credit points, please give me the tape or DVD at the very beginning of the class period with the following information listed on an attached sheet of paper:

a. your name, your course number, and the date

b. the title of the production you have brought

c. the version of the production (such as the director, leading actor[s], studio, and/or date of the production)

d. the format of the production (VHS or DVD)

e. where/how you got this video

f. a scene you would recommend I play in class (VHS tapes must be cued in advance)

ADDITIONAL COMEDY: Read one of the following unassigned comedies that you have not previously read:

· Early and/or farcical comedies: The Comedy of Errors, The Taming of the Shrew, The Merchant of Venice

· Problem comedy: Measure for Measure

· Late romances: The Tempest, The Winter’s Tale

Take a 15-minute oral exam on the play in my office no later than September 28. If your knowledge of the play is not sufficient for me to give you a satisfactory grade, you may come back later for a follow-up oral exam (but not later than September 28). For a higher grade, complete this assignment early in the semester. To potentially earn more than 100% on this assignment, read more than one additional comedy and take an oral exam on each.

PERFORMANCE: Successful completion of this assignment, which is required for an A in the course but otherwise is optional, can add approximately one (1) to three (3) points to your final course grade. I will use the document “Evaluation of Performance” from the class Web page to evaluate your performance. Before you perform, please give me (a) a copy of “Evaluation of Performance” and (b) a script of your lines (photocopied from one of my two books of acting scenes or photocopied from the textbook, NOT typed by you). For best results, follow the suggestions in “Enhancing Your Performance in an Acting Scene, Monologue, or Recitation” on the class Web page.

As described in “Evaluation of Performance,” no more than one week after you complete your performance, submit a written response to your experience of doing this assignment. You must complete your performance by November 30. Choose one of the following options for your performance:

(1) With one or more classmates (and/or others not enrolled in this class), participate in a memorized acting scene from an assigned play. Perform your scene in class, record it on DVD, or perform it for me privately outside class. Each participant should have at least 30 lines. If your part is shorter than 30 lines, complete your requirement by performing or reciting additional lines on another occasion (in class or in my office). I have a manila folder containing photocopied scenes that would be appropriate for performances. You may borrow a scene you would like to do, but please return the photocopy to me if you change your mind about doing this scene or when you complete the assignment.

(2) Memorize one or more monologues from assigned plays totaling at least 30 lines. Perform your monologue(s) in class or privately in my office. Choose from the “Monologues for Scene Experience” on the class Web page, or select other speeches from the assigned plays.

(3) Get my approval to carry out some other performance project.

EXAMS: You must be present for the midterm and final exams. Each exam will include both an essay written out of class and objective questions answered in class.

ESSAY GRADES: The document “Explanation of Essay Grades” presents the criteria by which I assign essay exam grades. This document, which is to be considered part of this syllabus, is found at the top of my home page at http://arapaho.nsuok.edu/~mercer.

MAKE-UP EXAMS AND LATE WORK: If you have a legitimate reason for not taking an exam at the scheduled time or not submitting any assignment on time, you must in advance make arrangements with me for an alternative deadline or, in case of emergency, leave a message on my voice mail. Otherwise, late work will be penalized at the rate of 20% per week.

If I receive a late assignment by Monday of the following week, the grade will be lowered one letter grade (10%). If I receive a late assignment by the beginning of the next class meeting (one week late), the grade will be lowered two letter grades (20%). If I receive an assignment two weeks late, the grade will be lowered four letter grades (40%).

ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT: In this class, academic misconduct includes but is not limited to cheating on quizzes or exams, submitting work that is not your own, failing to identify a source whose exact words or ideas you have used (for example, on a study guide or extra-credit submission), copying a source’s exact words without using quotation marks, or assisting others in these actions. The consequences of academic misconduct are described at http://offices.nsuok.edu/academicaffairs/SyllabiInformation.aspx.

ATTENDANCE: Enrollment in this course obligates you to attend class regularly. Absence from any class meeting is serious because it causes you to miss an entire week of class. Absence from more than two (2) class periods is considered excessive, indicating that you are not likely to do well in the class. If you enroll late, you will be counted absent for each period you have missed from the beginning of the semester.

Attendance will be taken from quiz papers only. To be marked present, you must submit a quiz paper with your name, the course number, and the date. If you arrive after the quiz or do not attempt to answer any of the questions, submit a paper with these three items at the top so that you will be counted present. If you must leave class immediately after the quiz, write “ABSENT” in LARGE LETTERS beside your name on the quiz paper (but you will receive any quiz points you earn). If you must leave early or during the break, please tell me in advance.

BAD WEATHER / CLASS CANCELLATION: If all NSU-BA classes are canceled because of bad weather or any other reason, cancellation will be announced on Tulsa area radio and television stations—and usually on the home page of the NSU Web site and the telephone greeting for NSU-BA. If all classes are not canceled, it is my responsibility and intention to hold class. You, however, must make your own decision about whether it is safe for you to drive to class. In the unlikely event that my class is canceled when other NSU-BA classes are meeting, you should be notified through the class calling tree. See additional information concerning NSU’s INCLEMENT WEATHER / DISASTER POLICY at http://offices.nsuok.edu/academicaffairs/SyllabiInformation.aspx.

ADDITIONAL SYLLABUS INFORMATION ON NSU WEB SITE: Additional syllabus information on the Academic Affairs page of the NSU Web site is to be considered part of this syllabus. Please read carefully the information that appears on the following topics at http://offices.nsuok.edu/academicaffairs/SyllabiInformation.aspx:

· ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT [including plagiarism]

· ADA COMPLIANCE [for students with disabilities]

· INCLEMENT WEATHER/DISASTER POLICY [class cancellation]

· TEACH ACT [copyright protection of instructional materials]

· TEXTBOOK INFORMATION

· RELEASE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION [privacy rights]

WITHDRAWAL FROM CLASS:

· If you drop a class by August 26, you will receive a 100% refund of tuition. If you drop a class after August 26, you will receive no refund.

· If you have never attended the class by the end of the third week of classes, you will be withdrawn from the course for non-attendance and will receive the grade of NA (never attended), which does not affect your grade-point average.

· During the sixth through the tenth weeks of the class, if it would be impossible for you to make a satisfactory grade because you are not attending class, submitting assignments, taking exams, and/or otherwise making a reasonable attempt to be successful in the course, I will have you administratively withdrawn from the course. If you are administratively withdrawn, you will receive a grade of AW (administrative withdrawal), which does not affect your grade-point average.

· If you drop a class by November 7, you will automatically receive a W, which does not affect your grade-point average. To drop a class, you must process an official drop slip. Be sure to keep a copy of your drop slip to prove that you have officially dropped.

· If you drop a class after November 7, you will receive a W if you are passing or an F if you are failing at the time you drop.

· The last day to drop a class is December 7.

CLASSROOM COURTESY: Out of courtesy to your classmates and me, please do NOT

(1) talk when another student or I am addressing the class.

(2) eat in class (unless you bring food to share with the entire class). Drinks with lids or caps, however, are permitted.

(3) bring children or other visitors to class without my prior permission.

(4) allow your cell phone to disrupt class. Please turn off cell phones in class.

(5) repeatedly get up from your seat during class.

(6) use a notebook computer, cell phone, or other electronic device in class for any purpose other than to take notes or to look up information on the Internet to share with the class. Do NOT send or read text messages in class.

(7) leave class early or during the break without telling me in advance.

COURSE GRADE (subject to announced changes): Your course grade will be figured in one of two ways, depending on whether you choose to do the optional performance assignment.

With no performance With performance

Daily average (including quizzes, study guides, video

critiques, and extra credit) 30% 27%

Midterm exam (comedies) 30% 27%

Final exam (histories & comprehensive) 30% 27%

Oral exam on additional comedy 10% 9%

Performance --- 10%

Total 100% 100%

Grade scale

A = 90-100% + completion of performance

B = 80-89%

C = 70-79%

D = 60-69%

F = 0-59%

ASSIGNMENTS: Assignments are subject to announced changes. You are responsible for all such changes whether or not you are present when they are made. If a class meeting is canceled and you receive no instructions to the contrary, continue to follow these assignment dates. The first week a play is assigned, the quiz will also include our textbook’s introduction to the play. The second week a play is assigned, the quiz may include questions from the entire play.

Unit 1: The Comedies

Aug. 17: Introduction to course

In-class viewing of beginning of A Midsummer Night’s Dream (MND)

Aug. 24: A Midsummer Night's Dream (MND)

Study Guide 1 (5 points)

Aug. 31: Much Ado about Nothing (Ado)

Study Guide 2 (5 points)

Sept. 7: As You Like It (AYL), 1.1-3.1

Study Guide 3 (5 points)

Sept. 14: As You Like It (AYL), 3.2-5.4

Video Critique 1: Write a critique of a production you have not previously seen of MND, Ado, or AYL. On the class Web page, see “Writing a Video Critique.” 2 pages (10 points)

Sept. 21: Twelfth Night (TN), 1-2

Study Guide 4 (5 points)

Sept. 28: Twelfth Night (TN), 3-5

Video Critique 2: Write a critique of a production of AYL or TN you have not previously seen. 2 pages (10 points)

Last day to take oral exam on additional comedy.

Oct. 5: First half of period: Midterm exam

· Submit essay exam written out of class.

· Take objective exam in class.

Second half of period: View beginning of Richard II video in class.