Teaching and Learning

Students engage in an intensive study of the plays (Twelfth Night, The Merchant of Venice, Hamlet, King Lear, and The Tempest) and poetry of the greatest playwright in English literature, William Shakespeare. These works may be supplemented by Henry V, Richard III, and Much Ado about Nothing. This seminar-style course explores Shakespeare’s life, times, and works, and emphasizes discussion, formal and informal writing, Shakespeare in film, and student presentations. A central question of the course is: "How does Shakespeare's work relate to us today?"  Students are required to write, conference, and revise a minimum of five compositions.