English 305-001:  Shakespeare (Fall 2015), 3 credits hours

MW, 9:30-10:45, Kinard 215

 

Professor's Information

Course Description and Goals

English 305, a survey of eight Shakespeare plays (comedy, history, tragedy, romance), is required for the English major and for teacher licensure.  Although our emphasis is on your own close reading of the primary texts, criticism and historical background play an important role in the course.  We will sample a variety of critical approaches, and among the requirements is an 8-10 page research paper in multiple stages (longer is okay too).  You should feel free to construct an interdisciplinary research project, especially if you are not majoring in English.  Though not at the moment strictly required, substantial background in 200-level literature courses is highly recommended.    I advise against taking Shakespeare if you have not passed HMXP 102 and CRTW 201. WRIT 101 is absolutely required. The Department of English also wants you to have ENGL 203 before taking 305. ENGL 203 is a prerequisite for ENGL 305.

Note: ENGL 305 is NOT a course in Shakespeare's minor poems. You have (some of) them in your anthology and can check them out on your own. But we will not spend class time on them. Some of Shakespeare's non-dramatic works are covered in ENGL 203 and ENGL 514.

Course Goals

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the semester, students will be able to

University-Level Competencies (ULCs)

Winthrop’s University-Level Competencies (ULCs) identify learning outcomes that apply across all undergraduate programs and that all Winthrop graduates attain.  These capacities are essential preparation for working productively and living meaningfully in the contemporary and emerging world.   The ULCs were approved by Faculty Conference in October 2010.

Competency 1: Winthrop graduates think critically and solve problems. 

Winthrop University graduates reason logically, evaluate and use evidence, and solve problems.  They seek out and assess relevant information from multiple viewpoints to form well-reasoned conclusions.  Winthrop graduates consider the full context and consequences of their decisions and continually reexamine their own critical thinking process, including the strengths and weaknesses of their arguments. [ENGL 305's term project, daily discussions of text, and in-class exercises fulfill this ULC.]

Competency 2: Winthrop graduates are personally and socially responsible. 

Winthrop University graduates value integrity, perceive moral dimensions, and achieve excellence.  They take seriously the perspectives of others, practice ethical reasoning, and reflect on experiences.  Winthrop graduates have a sense of responsibility to the broader community and contribute to the greater good. [ENGL 305's emphasis on the proper incorporation of borrowed information fulfills this ULC.]

Competency 3: Winthrop graduates understand the interconnected nature of the world and the time in which they live. 

Winthrop University graduates comprehend the historical, social, and global contexts of their disciplines and their lives. They also recognize how their chosen area of study is inextricably linked to other fields.  Winthrop graduates collaborate with members of diverse academic, professional, and cultural communities as informed and engaged citizens. [ENGL's emphasis on historical context and incorporation of other disciplines' points of view fulfill this ULC.]

Competency 4: Winthrop graduates communicate effectively. 

Winthrop University graduates communicate in a manner appropriate to the subject, occasion, and audience. They create texts – including but not limited to written, oral, and visual presentations – that convey content effectively. Mindful of their voice and the impact of their communication, Winthrop graduates successfully express and exchange ideas. [ENGL 305's term project fulfills this ULC.]

Program Goals

English majors analyze and synthesize various forms of traditional, digital, and non-print texts. Our students read the works of authors from a broad range of cultural, ethnic, racial, and gendered backgrounds, and they develop a nuanced understanding of how historical and cultural context affect literary/textual production. Majors learn to engage in literary and rhetorical analysis, as well as demonstrate knowledge of theory, criticism, research methods, and documentation techniques.

English majors gain knowledge of the English language arts. Majors explore topics such as the teaching of literature and the structure and historical development of the English language. They become familiar with various approaches to grammar, gaining recognition of dialects and patterns of usage, the digital humanities, and the purposes of language from theoretical and technological approaches.

English majors compose carefully crafted texts and construct persuasive arguments based on analysis and deliberation.

Their writings may take the form of critical essays, fictional or poetic works, and professional documents. All majors learn to write sustained texts that contain the following: researched material, appropriate awareness of audience and purpose, and mastery of grammar, mechanics, and usage. Students [ethical tied to ULCs] provide proper documentation of primary and secondary sources and demonstrate effective use of existing technologies to research, prepare, and present information.

Departmental SLOs: http://www.winthrop.edu/cas/english/default.aspx?id=20748

BA in English Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)

SLO 1: English majors think critically by evaluating and using evidence.  They seek out and assess relevant information from multiple viewpoints to form well-reasoned conclusions. 

SLO 2: English majors are personally and socially responsible.  They practice ethical reasoning and demonstrate an understanding of the moral dimensions of English Studies through well-documented research. 

SLO 3: English majors comprehend the historical, social, and global contexts of their disciplines and their lives.

SLO 4: English majors are able to construct persuasive arguments based on careful analysis and deliberation and use a voice and format suitable for the intended audience.

SLO 5: English majors are able to read and interpret a wide range of texts and demonstrate comprehension of their content and relevant textual characteristics. 

SLO 6: English majors demonstrate familiarity with the concepts and pertinent applications of major critical theories and schools of criticism within the discipline.

General Education: ENGL 305 meets the Humantities and Arts requirement of General Education by addressing the following: human diversity (both past and present), the diversity/history of ideas, institutions, philosophies, moral codes, and ethical principles; aesthetic values, the creative process, and the interconnectedness of the literary, visual, and performing arts; and values, attitudes, beliefs, and habits that define the nature and quality of life.

Required Texts

Note:  If you do not use one of the Bevington anthologies, you must at least use an edition with line numbers and footnotes. You may have difficulty following along in class if you do not have Bevington's line numbers. You may not use e-books in class. You MUST have a hardcopy that you can mark.

Resources

Course Requirements and Evaluation Methods (Student Learning Activities--Performance Measures)

Examinations:  40 points                                                         

Term Project:  50 points

Term paper / lesson plan

Participation:  10 points

Extra Credit: Up to 5 points for visits to the Writing Center (.5 per 30-minute visit, 1 point per 60-minute visit)

Note that you will not receive credit for your draft or final draft if you do not send one or the other to turnitin.com. Lesson planners must submit their critical introductions to turnitin.com, and the same caveat applies. Our turnitin.com I.D. number is 10281849; the password is "winthrop."

Note: There is no performance option. All of you need my help learning how to write a research paper or its pedagogical equivalent.

Class Participation:  Participation in discussion is a crucial element of this class, and you are expected to speak up at every class meeting.  If you do not volunteer comments, I will encourage you to share your thoughts.  Obviously participation is hard to quantify, but the following scale will lend some structure:  frequent contributions will be worth 9-10 points (A); regular contributions, 8 (B); occasional contributions, 7 (C); few contributions, 6 (D); rare contributions, 5 (F); so rare that I can count them on one hand, (1-4); no contributions, 0.  The substance of your remarks may also be a factor when I assign class participation grades.  You are welcome to submit a discussion log in your portfolio to document your contributions (organize it by date and indicate the substance of your contribution in bullet points; a discussion log is not the same thing as your class notes).

Examinations:  There will be midterm and final examinations; both will be taken in class in a closed-books and closed-notes format.  No study guides or "character banks" will be provided (but for heaven's sake remember that I am GIVING you a semester's worth of class notes in the form of PowerPoints!!!).  The midterm will cover the comedies and histories; the final will cover the tragedies, the one romance, and The Bedford Companion.  Also, your longer essay questions on the midterm and final will relate in some way to material from The Bedford Companion; expect the essay question to connect with it in some way.  Each examination will ask you to identify and analyze quotations and to write one essay.  You will not necessarily have a choice of quotations. The final examination will ask you to demonstrate your comprehensive knowledge by making connections between modes (comedy, history, tragedy, romance); and the question will require some reflection upon the entire course; however, the quotations will be from the second half of the course (tragedies, romance).  Unless the Registrar documents that you have three exams scheduled for that day, I will expect you to be present.  Do not ask me to schedule an alternative time for you because you want to leave for vacation. 

Grading:  The grade you receive for the final draft of your research paper will be based on the descriptions in the “Freshman Composition Rubric."  All of you must submit the Full Researched Draft of your papers to turnitin.com (course I.D.:  8289119; password:  winthrop).  Your final course grade will be based on a 100-point scale.  I do not report or discuss grades over the phone or on e-mail.  Nor do I calculate students' grades for them during the semester.  Here is the grading scale:  You will be graded on a 100-point scale as follows:  A, 95-100; A-, 90-94; B+, 87-89; B, 83-86; B-, 80-82; C+, 77-79; C, 73-76; C-, 70-72; D+, 67-69; D, 63-66; D-, 60-62; F, 0-59.  Note:  It is REALLY hard not to pass this class if you do all the process assignments.

Portfolio:  Your goal is to put one topic through a series of stages:  proposal, short nonresearched analysis paper, annotated bibliography, researched outline, full researched draft, conference abstract, final draft, and self-analytical cover letter.  However, your portfolio should include only the following items in this order:  cover letter, conference abstract, revision of researched draft, and original researched draft with my comment sheet.  Naturally, you must follow the MLA format for the use of secondary sources (even the paper proposal must have a works cited page).  Process assignments will receive full credit if they are of sufficient length and respond adequately to the assignment. Those of you who are seeking licensure as a secondary school English teacher have the option to do a lesson plan instead of a term paper. If you choose a lesson plan, I highly recommend that you have a conference with me before each due date so that we can normalize expectations. Note: Anyone who ignores my comments on the researched draft and simply prints off a clean copy of the draft to submit as the revision will receive a zero for that part of the portfolio.

Quizzes:  There will be no official quizzes this semester.  However, quizzes are posted online along with the PowerPoint presentations. You can use these quizzes to help review the plays.  Since quizzes are not a requirement, you are on your own to keep up with the reading.

Term Project:   The items marked with *'s are "process assignments," which means that your grades will not be rubric-based. In other words, your grades on the process assignments will nurture you in the right direction even if your work is imperfect as long as it meets basic requirements such as (but not necessarily limited to) length and focus.  There are 40 process points available. 

Note:  All assignments except the conference abstract and the cover letter must have a list of works cited.  The outline, full draft, and final draft must all cite at least five critical sources (Shakespeare criticism) and at least one Shakespeare play.  Primary sources like Freud, Jung, Virgil, and works of history do not count in the total.  YOU MUST ACTUALLY CITE AT LEAST 5 ARTICLES AND/OR BOOKS OF SHAKESPEARE CRITICISM.  The annotated bibliography must have at least ten sources:  your play and at least 9 critical sources.  Multiple articles in an edited anthology of criticism count as separate sources, but it is really cheesy to rely so heavily on one collection of essays.

Departmental Policies and Procedures

"Unless your professor specifies otherwise on her or his syllabus, the following policies and procedures apply for all courses offered by the Department of English (CRTW, ENGL, ENGE, and WRIT)."  --Department of English

Goals: Goals for all courses in the Department of English, including those that meet requirements for NCATE certification, are described at http://www.winthrop.edu/english/goals.htm.  

Touchstone/General Education Goals: This course meets Touchstone goals #s 1, 3, 4, 6, and 7; and counts toward the "Skills for Common Experience and Thinking Across Disciplines" General Education requirement.

Syllabus Change Policy: The version of your instructor's policy posted on her/his website, WebCT site, or www.turnitin.com site is the official policy statement for your class. This page may change during the semester, so make sure you check it frequently to keep up with changes.

Resources: The English Department’s home page is http://www.winthrop.edu/english.  Please check there for links to instructors' webpages, course materials, and The English Major's Handbook http://www.winthrop.edu/cas/english/default.aspx?id=20804 of useful links.

Office Hours: My office hours this semester are MTWR, 3:30-4:30. I will make every effort to be available during these hours or to notify you if I cannot be available.  If you want to have a conference with me, please make an appointment. I will NOT be available under any circumstances on Fridays:  this is my own dedicated research time. 

E-mail List Serves: Winthrop automatically generates a listserv for each class using the Winthrop e-mail addresses of all students enrolled in a class on the first day of instruction. If you add the class late or if you prefer to use an alternate e-mail address, you must personally enroll in the listserv. You can find the instructions for doing so at http://www.winthrop.edu/acc/imailsrv.asp.

Contacting Your Instructor: All instructors in the Department have voice mail in their offices and Winthrop e-mail addresses. Make sure you write down your instructor’s phone number and e-mail address where you will not lose it. You can leave messages for your instructor in the department mailroom, 248 Bancroft, which is open from 8:30-5:00 each day.

Instructor Accessibility: You can expect me to be available as a resource from which to draw and to obtain feedback. I am very responsive to email questions as long as I know who the email is from and have all information necessary to provide a complete answer. Please be sure to “sign” your emails as oftentimes email names are confusing at best (e.g., brownb1@winthrop.edu could be Bob Brown or Beth Brown). Please make sure to speak slowly and comprehensibly if leaving a voicemail so that I can decipher the name, message, and return phone number as well.

What you cannot expect of me is to be available 24/7. While I do check my email and voicemail regularly, I do not necessarily check them more than once a day or late in the evenings. I never check e-mail or voice mail on weekends.  Therefore, if you procrastinate on an assignment, you may not have the information you need to complete the assignment appropriately. Please plan your time accordingly to maximize the probability that you will receive a response in time for it to be useful.  If you want help, it is really more fruitful to come see me in person.

Student Conduct Code: As noted in the Student Code of Conduct:  “Responsibility for good conduct rests with students as adult individuals.” The policy on student academic misconduct is outlined in the “Student Conduct Code Academic Misconduct Policy” in the online Student Handbook (http://www2.winthrop.edu/studentaffairs/handbook/StudentHandbook.pdf). 

Handheld Devices:  You may not use any electronic devices in class unless I give you specific permission or unless you have official accommodations from Services for Students with Disabilities.  See the College of Arts and Sciences' policy on handheld devices at http://www.winthrop.edu/uploadedFiles/artscience/AppropriateUseOfHandHeldWirelessTechnologyApprovedPolicyMar2010.pdf. Turn off all electronic devices before class starts and put them away.

Plagiarism: Plagiarism is the use of someone else’s thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")–whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not. It is also a violation of the Student Code of Conduct (http://www.winthrop.edu/uploadedFiles/studentconduct/StudentHandbook.pdf). The English Department has prepared The Correct Use of Borrowed Information to explain plagiarism (see http://www.winthrop.edu/uploadedFiles/cas/english/CorrectUseBorrowedInfo.pdf). You may be required to print out this statement, sign the last page, and bring it to class when required by your instructor. Ignorance or failure to consult this material is no excuse.

Grades: The Department of English has established a Rubric for Freshman Writing Courses that is found at http://www2.winthrop.edu/english/WritingProgram/rubric.htm.  A formal description of letter grades used by Winthrop instructors can be found in the Undergraduate Catalog.

Attendance: The official Winthrop attendance policy is found on p. 8 of The Undergraduate Catalog 2009-2010 "Academic Regulations" section (http://www.winthrop.edu/uploadedFiles/recandreg/Catalogs/09-10/2009_10_catalog_Acad_Regs.pdf). The policy for attendance at final examinations is also found on page 8.

Final Examinations: Winthrop University policy requires that all classes meet during their scheduled final examination period. This schedule can be found on the Records and Registration website at http://www.winthrop.edu/uploadedFiles/recandreg/Calendars/Exams.pdf. Winthrop University policy specifies that personal conflicts such as travel plans and work schedules do not warrant a change in examination time. You are responsible for checking the time of your final examination and for making arrangements to be there.

Expectations for Classroom Behavior: The classroom environment should provide a safe environment for exploring ideas and challenging assumptions. Students are expected to listen respectfully to the voices of other individuals and to share their own opinions and values in a positive, respectful manner. Students and the instructor are expected to treat each member of the class with respect and civility. Classroom behavior that a reasonable person would view as substantially or repeatedly interfering with the conduct of the class will not be tolerated in this course. Students who engage in disruptive behavior will be subject to sanctions as specified in the Student Conduct Code.

See also "Further Course Policies" below and my Memorandum of Understanding.

Students with Disabilities: Winthrop University is dedicated to providing access to education.  If you have a disability and need classroom accommodations, please contact Gena Smith, Coordinator, Services for Students with Disabilities, at 323-3290, as soon as possible.  Once you have your Professor Notification Form, please tell me so that I am aware of your accommodations well before the first assignment, test, or paper.

Winthrop’s Academic Success Center is a free resource for all undergraduate students seeking to perform their best academically.  The ASC offers a variety of personalized and structured resources that help students achieve academic excellence, such as tutoring, academic skill development (test taking strategies, time management counseling, and study techniques), group and individual study spaces, and academic coaching.  The ASC is located on the first floor of Dinkins, Suite 106.  Please contact the ASC at 803-323-3929 or success@winthrop.edu.  For more information on ASC services, please visit www.winthrop.edu/success.

Safe Zones Statement: The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being – regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor’s expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.  Note:  I have been through SZ training, and I display a SZ decal on my office door.

Duplicate Submission of Papers: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted, in whole or in part, for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of your instructor and the other instructor involved in advance. This is to conform to the Student Code of Conduct, §V, which states: "Academic misconduct includes but is not limited to … presenting the same or substantially the same papers or projects in two or more courses without the explicit permission of the professors involved" (Student Code of Conduct §V: http://www2.winthrop.edu/studentaffairs/handbook/StudentHandbook.pdf). 

Writing Center: The Writing Center provides support for all students in all Winthrop classes free of charge. It is located in 242 Bancroft (x-2138). Check its web page (http://www.winthrop.edu/wcenter) for current hours. I will provide extra credit if you visit the Writing Center: 1 point for every 30- or 60-minute visit up to 5 visits. No, you do not have to give me the yellow slips; however, you should keep them until the end of the semester in case there is a problem.

Other Course Policies

Attendance:  We will follow Winthrop's standard attendance policy:  "If a student's absences in a course total 25 percent or more of the class meetings for the course, the student will receive a grade of N, F, or U, whichever is appropriate" (Undergraduate Catalog).  There are 28 scheduled class meetings; therefore, a seventh absence means that you have failed the course.  In order to make up a missed assignment, you must provide some kind of official paper documentation (e.g., doctor's note, funeral program, letter from the athletic department).  I will keep the documentation in a file until the end of the semester.  Our attendance policy holds for all absences, regardless of the cause; this includes absences for Winthrop-sponsored activities like athletic competitions and Model UN.  Remember:  An "excused" absence means that you may make up work that was due on that day, but the absence still counts toward the total number of absences.  If you do not provide documentation, you will not be allowed to make up missed work without a grade penalty.  If you will be absent on a due date because of university business, you must submit your work in advance.  See also "Attendance" above.  Makeup work is due not later than one week from your return to class and should be accompanied by your paper documentation; after that, it will receive a zero.

Tardiness:  Please remember that coming in late disrupts everyone and may even stop the class for a few moments.  I expect you to arrive at least a few minutes early and to be ready to begin right at the start of the hour. Get out your book, notebook, and pen or pencil BEFORE the day’s activities begin.  Arriving 10 or more minutes late (or leaving 10 or more minutes early) will be considered a full absence.  I will count every three tardy arrivals (less than 10 minutes late) as a full absence.  Tardy-generated absences will count against the university's 25% attendance policy.  ***Finally, if you come in late, you MUST see me after class so that I change your absence mark to a tardy mark.  If you do not see me after class, your tardiness will count as an absence***.  Note:  "Late" means "after I close the door." 

Illness:  Save your absences for days when you are ill.  If you are ill, it is best not to come to class.  If you are coughing so loudly and frequently that you are disrupting class, or if you are sneezing or in any other way compromising others' health, I will ask you to leave.  So it is better to stay home on days when your health is poor.  Similarly, do not come to my office when you are sick, especially if you are coughing or sneezing.  I will ask you to come back another time.

Format for Papers:  

Late Assignments:  Written work is due in class on the days designated in the Calendar.  Late work will be penalized 1 point for each 24-hour period it is late.  I am willing to give brief extensions for written work if you are ill, provided that you call me in advance and provide official written documentation from the Health Clinic or your physician when you turn in your work.  If you are responsible and well organized, I will be flexible.  If you will be absent on a due date or on the day of the midterm examination because of university business, you must submit your work in advance (written work) or make arrangements with me in advance (midterm examination).  I do not accept papers submitted over e-mail.  ALL MAKEUP WORK IS DUE ONE WEEK FROM THE DATE OF YOUR RETURN TO CLASS FOLLOWING A DOCUMENTED ILLNESS.  SUBMIT YOUR MEDICAL EXCUSE WITH YOUR LATE WORK (do not just give me a look at it after class; paper clip it to your assignment).  I will not allow you to overlap assignments.  In other words, if you miss an assignment, you will not be allowed to make it up after the next assignment is due. 

If papers are not submitted in class, they can be slid through my mail slot (Bancroft 258). However, you are responsible for making sure that the paper was actually received. The same is the case if you submit your work at the English department's office. Do not come to me on the last day of class and tell me that you turned in various assignments altogether at the English department's office and that you were too shy to ask me why you did not get them back to from me.