English N117S

Book List

Shakespeare, William: The Complete Works of Shakespeare

Description

This course is an introductory survey at the upper-division level. We will attempt to read eight Shakespeare plays plus a selection of sonnets. As California Shakespeare Theater (“Cal Shakes”) in near-by Orinda will be performing The Tempest during the first week of classes, we will start with this play. The instructor will reserve tickets for two different performances. If you wish to attend, please set aside approximately $20 for a student ticket, plus BART fare. We will also read A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Richard III, Henry IV Part 1, Twelfth Night, Merchant of Venice, Hamlet, and King Lear. Lectures will emphasize language, scene, gesture, character, verse, and narrative structure, along with the theatrical and publication history of Shakespeare’s plays and poems. Students will submit three short essays. Exams will include short quizzes, and a comprehensive final on the last day of the course.

The instructor maintains a website at the URL below (click on “CLASSES”). Since time will be of the essence for obtaining tickets for The Tempest, please go to this website IMMEDIATELY if you intend to take the class.

http://socrates.berkeley.edu/~ahnelson/index.html

Note that this class satisfies the Shakespeare requirement for the English major.

This course will be taught in Session C, from June 18 to August 8.