Shakespeare: Earlier Plays & Poems

Text: The Norton Shakespeare (W. W. Norton) available at Talking Leaves bookstore, 3158 Main Street. Acceptable substitutes include editions published by Houghton Mifflin (Riverside), Penguin (Pelican), Signet, and Scott, Foresman (edited by David Bevington).

On-line texts (available as Acrobat ".pdf" files through BISON on-line reserve):
     McDonald, Russ. "Theater à la Mode."
     Potter, Lois. "Seeing and Believing."

Writing: Two essays, 1,700 to 2,000 words each (about 5-6 pages) on topics to be assigned; also one or two brief response papers (2 pages).

Tests & Exams: There will be both a mid-term and a final exam.

Class attendance: Attendance is required. Students will be allowed three unexcused absences; any further unexcused absences will affect grades.

Grades: Exams 40%; essays, response papers 60%; class attendance, participation -5% to +5%.

Late papers: For the two essay assignments, extensions up to one week are available on request. After one week, there will be a 10% penalty. After two weeks, a 20% penalty. No essays will be accepted beyond three weeks after the due date. Exceptions will be made for documented illness or personal emergency. No late response papers will be accepted.

Helpful readings in The Norton Shakespeare: In addition to the General Introduction (1-76), be sure to consult Andrew Gurr's article, "The Shakespearean Stage" (3281-301), the collection of historical Documents (3321-63), A Shakespeare Chronicle (3365-92), the General Bibliography (3393-410), and the Glossary (3411-15). Also, useful genealogies of English monarchs, from Edward III to Elizabeth I, appear inside the front and back covers.