| Professor Eric Leonidas
321 Willard Hall 832-2750 leonidase@ccsu.edu |
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The Course: The purpose of the course is to explore the drama that grew up beside Shakespeare and that spoke specifically to social issues confronting Elizabethan and Jacobean culture. Beyond the plays we will also read a selection of cultural texts that treat issues found in the plays. As much as possible we will follow a seminar format, in which students take charge of much of the presentation and discussion.
Texts: Renaissance
Drama: An Anthology of Plays and Entertainments, ed. Arthur F. Kinney (Malden,
MA: Blackwell, 1999).
Ben Jonson, Volpone, ed. Philip
Brockbank, New Mermaid (NY: Norton, 1976)
Requirements and Grades:
1 Short Paper (4-6 pages):
} 20%
1 Short Presentation
(10 minutes):
1 Annotated Bibliography
1 Long Paper (10-12 pages)
} 40%
1 Long Presentation (20
minutes)
Final Exam:
20%
Class participation and
discussion: 20% (includes issue papers)
The short presentation will be based on your first paper. The longer presentation will include the subject of your second (long) paper and a description of your annotated bibliography.
Issue Papers: For each play you will write a very short (1 page) response that addresses a particular issue, theme or critical question. The purpose of these is to bring to class a variety of issues and perspectives to discuss. They need not be polished arguments. I’m looking for some exploratory thought on a particular subject that the play engages.
Presentations: I expect big things. These should be organized and practiced. You may work from notes or an outline, but you may not simply read to us. Include questions that your paper topic raises, or questions that are giving you a hard time, or that you think or generally important. For the long presentation you must meet with me to discuss it. It’s not a bad idea to discuss the short one with me, too.
Plagiarism: Any language
or ideas borrowed from another writer and not cited constitutes plagiarism.
If you plagiarize, you will fail the course. If you’re not sure about
what to cite or when, please see me and I’ll be happy to explain.
In your papers, Chicago, MLA or APA citation is fine.
Schedule
1/24 Introduction
1/31 Marlowe, Doctor Faustus; Dollimore (handout)
2/7 Kyd, The Spanish Tragedy
2/14 [Anonymous], Arden
of Faversham
Short Presentations Begin
2/21 Dekker, The Shoemaker’s
Holiday
Short Presentations
2/28 Heywood, A Woman
Killed with Kindness
Short Paper Due
Short Presentations End
3/7 Beaumont, The Knight of the Burning Pestle
3/14 Middleton, A Chaste Maid in Cheapside
3/21 Jonson, Volpone
3/28 Spring Break
4/4 Jonson, Bartholomew
Fair
Annotated Bibliography
Due
4/11 Middleton and Rowley, The
Changeling
Long Presentations Begin
4/18 Webster, Duchess of Malfi
Long Presentations
4/25 Marlowe, Edward II
Long Paper Due
Long Presentations
5/2 Conclusions
Long Presentations