LIT 231 - Introduction to Shakespeare

1. Describe major elements of the sonnets.
2. Discuss major aspects of the comedies as applied to interpretation and staging.
3. Discuss major aspects of the histories as applied to interpretation and staging.
4. Discuss major aspects of the tragedies as applied to interpretation and staging.
5. Use writing for analysis of the plays and synthesis of concepts.

1. Intensive Writing and Critical Inquiry
   1. Producing written discourse in more than one assignment through papers, reports, quizzes, tests, etc., which includes a minimum word standard of 3000 words.
   2. Written assignments emphasize critical inquiry which includes the gathering, interpreting, and evaluating of evidence.
   3. Includes a formal out of class paper of at least 1,500 words which requires critical inquiry and where the writer develops and supports a main idea.  
   4. Explicit writing instruction with timely feedback to help students improve their writing and critical inquiry skills is part of the course’s content.
   5. The evaluation of written assignments must include the overall quality of written work and critical inquiry, as measured by a rubric.
   6. At least 50% of the student’s grade must be based on the written work and critical inquiry assignments.
2. Sonnets
   1. Techniques and themes
   2. Cultural influences on interpretation
3. Comedies
   1. Important techniques and themes
   2. Important characters and distinctive speeches
   3. Relation of a play to its sources
   4. How the elements of work contribute to the total effect
   5. Significance of various approaches to staging
   6. Differing cultural perspectives on interpretation
4. Histories
   1. Important techniques and themes
   2. Important characters and distinctive speeches
   3. Relation of a play to its sources
   4. How the elements of work contribute to the total effect
   5. Significance of various approaches to staging
   6. Differing cultural perspectives on interpretation
5. Tragedies
   1. Important techniques and themes
   2. Important characters and distinctive speeches
   3. Relation of a play to its sources
   4. How the elements of work contribute to the total effect
   5. Significance of various approaches to staging
   6. Differing cultural perspectives on interpretation
6. Writing
   1. Analysis of possible staging of the plays
   2. Interpretation of works
   3. Development of valid concepts and applications
   4. Minimum writing of 2500 words