Course details

Name: ENGL - 504

Title: SEMINAR IN TEACHING LITERATURE--TEACHING SHAKESPEARE

Section: 01

Semester: Spring - 2022

Credits: 3

Description:
Why do we insist that middle- and secondary-school students all across America have some reading familiarity with the works of William Shakespeare? Your students will be asking this question; doubtless some of you have been asking it as well. It’s a valid question well worth examining. What is the historical tradition behind such a requirement? When, where, and why did it start? Is it still compelling—or even relevant?

This course is designed for secondary and middle school teachers (present or future) of Shakespeare, and anyone else interested in the place and delivery of Shakespearean drama as foundational texts. We will explore methods and foci of teaching Shakespeare's plays to adolescents, as well as the current debate over requiring such material in school curricula. Plays covered will be those most frequently taught in secondary and middle schools: Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar, Hamlet, Othello, Macbeth, Midsummer Night’s Dream, and others as you advise. To the greatest extent possible, we will employ a workshop approach in this course to maximize genuinely useful results. Participants will (1) create model syllabi and lesson plans, (2) explore the use of film and other media in the classroom, (3) develop methods of enhancing their own students’ performance in the classroom, (4) tackle the hard questions about the role of Shakespeare studies in developing diverse curricula aimed at ensuring access and promoting educational democracy not only in America but also worldwide, and (5) and any other questions of content and approach that arise.

Designed for B.A./M.A./MAT students pursuing certification as teachers of English, and for those already teaching who seek to deepen their scholarship and pedagogy in bringing Shakespeare into their classrooms. Students will conduct research in both subject matter and pedagogy with a view toward age-appropriate exposure and, ideally, preparing their own students to join the conversation about Shakespeare that will be expected of them in college and beyond.

Note: This course satisfies the Shakespeare requirement for English Education candidates.





Last updated on 2021-09-30 By Liebler Naomi (lieblern)

Schedule: Wednesday From 5:30 pm To 8:00 pm

Graduation requirements:

  • Any Literature (1e)
  • Genre Study (Drama)
  • Shakespeare (TE 1a)
  • Pre-1700 (1a)
  • Pre-1800 (1b)
  • Pre-1900 (1c)
  • Women and Gender Studies (3c)
  • Class Issues (3d)
  • Pre-1800 British (TE 1b)
  • Graduate (BA/MA)

Teaching Faculty: Liebler Naomi (lieblern)

Is course canceled: No