ENGL 210 | Section 01 | MW 8:45-10:00 | Spring 2013 |
Prof. Emily King | Email: Emily.L.King@vanderbilt.edu |
Office Hours: Mondays, 10:15-11:45AM & by appointment in Benson 423
Without Shakespeare, much of the English language (not to mention Hollywood) would cease to exist. In particular, his dramatic texts continue to influence our entertainment in the form of adaptations. Yet when we encounter these adaptations, we must also consider the following: At what point does Shakespeare stop being Shakespeare? And, conversely, what is essentially Shakespeare? Is, for instance, Macbeth still
Macbeth when the text is rewritten, renamed, and performed by prisoners and staff in Northern Ireland’s notorious Maghaberry Prison in the case of Mickey B ? Finally, what might these revisions reveal about the original text (and our anxieties concerning it)?
Such questions will govern our classroom discussions as we read ten plays that represent Shakespeare’s comedies, tragedies, and histories as well as his “problem plays.” While we will explore these plays in relation to the historical-cultural context that gave rise to them, we will also take a decidedly “forward” look. That is to say, we will examine the ways in which Shakespeare’s texts reemerge in later centuries as cartoons, literature, and, of course, film.
Required Texts: Our required text – The Norton Shakespeare (2 nd
edition) – may be purchased at the campus bookstore. All other materials may be found online at OAK.
Attendance and Participation: Some of the most significant discoveries occur during class, and as such, there is no way to make up for the loss of a classroom learning experience. I permit two absences from my class for illness, family emergencies, and other personal matters. After two absences, I will subtract ½ letter grade for each subsequent absence. Should you miss class, the class material and any associated assignments are still your responsibility. Please note that Vanderbilt athletic or extracurricular activities do not constitute “allowed” absences beyond the two permitted for our class.
The educational benefits of a dynamic, interactive classroom that features engaging and respectful discussions are numerous. However, I will not simply award full participation credit to students who talk the most. I recognize that there are a myriad of ways to productively participate in a classroom, and I will stimulate discussion to encourage this diversity. If you tend to be a “talker” in a class, please make sure that you’re listening to the ongoing discussion and encouraging the participation of your peers. If you are hesitant to speak in larger groups, please push yourself to speak once or twice during each class period.
Both you and your peers will reap the rewards of this effort!
Short Essay: Applying one critical essay to a play of your choice, you will construct an argument about how the essay offers a new or unexpected perspective. For instance, how might a historicist approach concerning early modern pregnancy modify our impression of Leontes’ seemingly unreasonable jealousy in
The Winter’s Tale
? As this is a short essay (i.e., 2-3 pages), narrow your focus to one character, one theme, or even one passage from the play.

Essays: You will write two formal essays. The first essay will be 4-5 pages in length, and the second essay, which will require outside research, will be 6-8 pages. For further details, please see the assignment sheet.
Exams: Exams include short answer questions, passage identification, and short essays. Please note that the midterm and final are comprehensive; however, I will facilitate an optional review session before each exam to assist you.
Leading Class Discussion: Each student will lead discussion during one class period. This means that you, along with a partner or two, will be running the class for the opening 15 to 20 minutes. You will summarize the subject for day and select an issue or theme drawn from the assigned reading. Because your goal is to stimulate discussion, you should come prepared with questions and/or activities to do so.
To reflect on these experiences, you are required to write a 1-2 page paper that addresses the following questions. How did you prepare for this activity? Were the preparatory tasks shared equitably? How do you feel the discussion went? And why? Anything you wish you could do differently?
This reflection paper is due one week after you lead discussion.
Grading: Your final grade will be based on the following:
10% for Short Essay
15% for Formal Essay #1
25% for Formal Essay #2
15% for Midterm Exam
25% for Final Exam
10% for class participation and teaching activities
Late Policy: Tardy students disrupt the classroom learning environment, so if you arrive late to class more than 3 times, I will count this tardiness as an absence. As this is an early class, please feel free to bring breakfast and/or your preferred form of caffeine, but please be on time.
Late Papers: I collect papers at the beginning of class on the due date. I penalize late papers ½ letter grade for each subsequent calendar day (e.g., B becomes B-).
Academic Integrity: Vanderbilt’s Honor Code governs all work in this course, and a violation of this code carries serious consequences that may include a failing grade on the plagiarized assignment, a failure in the course itself, suspension, or even expulsion. More importantly, you cheat yourself out of a valuable learning experience. When you turn in an assignment, you tacitly acknowledge that this is your own work.
To avoid unintentional offenses, please document your work according to MLA style. Should you have any questions concerning plagiarism or documentation, please don’t hesitate to ask me.
Students with Disabilities: If you haven’t already done so, please visit Vanderbilt’s EAD website to help secure appropriate documentation: www.vanderbilt.edu/ead. In addition, please come to me with your concerns, and I will do my best to accommodate your needs.

Please note that this calendar is subject to change as we progress through our semester together.
January 7 (M) Introduction to Course
Gender, Identity, and Performance
9 (W)
14 (M)
The Taming of the Shrew
The Taming of the Shrew
(Acts 1 & 2)
(Acts 3 & 4)
16 (W) The Taming of the Shrew (Act 5); Titus Andronicus (Act 1)
21 (M) No Class
23 (W)
28 (M)
30 (W)
February 4 (M)
6 (W)
11 (M)
13 (W)
Titus Andronicus
Titus Andronicus
The Merchant of Venice
The Merchant of Venice
The Merchant of Venice
Hamlet
(Acts 2 & 3)
(Acts 2 & 3)
Hamlet (Acts 4 & 5)
Sovereigns and their Subjects
18 (M)
20 (W)
Richard II (Acts 1 & 2)
Richard II
(Acts 4 & 5)
(Acts 3 & 4)
(Acts 1 & 2)
(Acts 3 & 4)
(Act 5); Hamlet (Act 1)
Formal Paper #1 Due
25 (M)
27 (W)
March 4 (M)
6 (W)
Richard II (Act 5)
Midterm Exam
Spring Break
Spring Break

11 (M) Macbeth (Acts 1 & 2)
13 (W)
18 (M)
20 (W)
Macbeth (Acts 3 & 4)
Macbeth (Act 5); King Lear (Act 1)
King Lear (Acts 2 & 3)
25 (M) King Lear (Acts 4 & 5)
Frivolity, Fantasy, and Magic
27 (W) Much Ado About Nothing (Acts 1 & 2)
Much Ado About Nothing (Acts 3 & 4) April 1 (M)
3 (W) Much Ado About Nothing (Act 5);
The Winter’s Tale
(Act 1)
8 (M)
10 (W)
15 (M)
The Winter’s Tale
The Winter’s Tale
The Tempest
(Acts 2 & 3)
(Acts 4 & 5)
(Acts 1 & 2)
17 (W) The Tempest (Acts 3 & 4)
22 (M) The Tempest (Act 5)
Final Paper Due
We will have our final exam on Friday, April 26 th at 3PM.