LFU:online

Students will familiarize themselves with methods of the analysis of plays. They will enhance their ability to perform close readings, select and critically discuss relevant research, and they will train how to combine these tasks to produce a scholarly analysis and argument.

There is no single author who looms larger in the history of English literature than William Shakespeare. In this course, we will ask which factors have contributed to this long-lasting legacy. We will approach his plays through our own close readings, and we will also get to know some critical perspectives on Shakespeare. Maybe most importantly, we will explore some of the ways in which Shakespeare’s plays have been actualized through the centuries – in performances but also in many different types of adaptations. 

The course ties in with the lecture series “Our Own Shakespeare”, which will be held on Wednesday evenings (17:15-18:45). Visiting 3 of these evening lectures will be part of the course requirements.

Discussion, presentations, group work, writing/research assignments

Oral (group presentations and moderation of a session, active participation in class) and written (short assignments during the semester, portfolio or final paper)

The titles of the 3 plays we will primarily focus on will be announced before the beginning of the semester (please buy the Arden editions).

BA 2015: positive completion of compulsory module 10

Teacher Training Programme BA 2015: positive completion of compulsory module 13

Due to substantial differences in the allocation of ECTS-Credits in various curricula (teacher training program - BA/MA English and American Studies), the requirements for this course vary. Information will be provided by the instructor at the beginning of the course