Students
LIT 802 – Shakespeare and the Renaissance
2015 – S2 Evening
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Tony Cousins
Contact via tony.cousins@mq.edu.au
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| Credit points |
Credit points
4
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MA in (English Literature or Children's Literature or Creative Writing) or PGDipResPrep(Arts)
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
ENGL701
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit studies poems and plays by Shakespeare and other writers of the English Renaissance in relation to notions of gender, sexuality, identity and power. The texts are considered in the context of the unorthodox, the heretical and the alien.
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Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- Students will develop an advanced understanding of writings by Shakespeare and by his contemporaries, with particular attention having been given to genre, to then-contemporary social and political concerns, and to the conflicts among worldviews
- That understanding will be grounded on a history of ideas approach to the literary culture of Shakespeare’s time
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Annotated Reading List | 20% | End of week 6 |
| Presentation and Essay | 30% | TBA |
| Final Essay | 50% | 9/11 |
Annotated Reading List
Due: End of week 6
Weighting: 20%
Construct a reading list for a topic or question, but not for the topic or question on which you will be working for the presentation/first essay or for the final essay. The list should include a mix of older and more recent research (published within the last 5 years), analysing the main arguments of the texts considered, and showing how the texts relate to each other. The list should begin with an introductory overview and end with a formal conclusion. The main criteria for successfully completing this assignment lie not in the discovery of materials—that will be easy—but in which materials you select, how you organize them, and how you choose to analyse them. The list should be no more than 1,500 words in length.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Students will develop an advanced understanding of writings by Shakespeare and by his contemporaries, with particular attention having been given to genre, to then-contemporary social and political concerns, and to the conflicts among worldviews
- That understanding will be grounded on a history of ideas approach to the literary culture of Shakespeare’s time
Presentation and Essay
Due: TBA
Weighting: 30%
Choose one of the seminar topics or questions and in class deliver a 10 minute discussion focused on it. A week later submit the presentation as expanded into a 2,000-word essay. The presentation requires students to demonstrate communications skills; the presentation and the first essay both require students to demonstrate the capacity for close analysis of text (by whatever methodology) and the ability to work independently with current scholarship.
Seminar Topics and Questions
- Introduction
- How differently do Marlowe and Spenser link sexuality with exploration in the poems set for this week?
- What forms does the will to power take in Doctor Faustus?
- Discuss the implicit critique of conventional sexuality in Shakespeare’s Sonnets.
- Discuss the concept of 'the good place' in the texts set for study for this week.
- How similar--or not--are the persona of Donne’s third satire and Hamlet?
- How is monarchy portrayed in Macbeth?
- What is ‘the sacred’ in King Lear?
- Is Othello more concerned with jealousy or with problems in identifying truth?
- Discuss Jonson’s modelling of idealized social relations in the play and the poem set for study this week.
- What is Bacon’s concept of a life well led?
- ‘Marvell is evasive, never dogmatic’. Do you agree?
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Students will develop an advanced understanding of writings by Shakespeare and by his contemporaries, with particular attention having been given to genre, to then-contemporary social and political concerns, and to the conflicts among worldviews
- That understanding will be grounded on a history of ideas approach to the literary culture of Shakespeare’s time
Final Essay
Due: 9/11
Weighting: 50%
Write a 3,500-word essay on one of the topics or questions and submit it by the end of 9 November. The final essay requires students to consider at least 3 of the set texts in light of the themes and concerns examined throughout the unit. Like the first essay, this one requires students to demonstrate the capacity for close textual analysis and to work independently with the scholarship consulted.
Topics and Questions for the Final Essay
- How does portrayal of insatiable aspiration imply a radical conflict of values in one play by Shakespeare and writings by two other authors you have studied this semester?
- How do soliloquies function in three plays you have studied this semester?
- How important are issues of political obedience in three plays you have studied this semester?
- How do Shakespeare and Jonson use the idea of 'the play within the play' as a theme in their plays?
- Design a question of your own—but discuss it with me before you start work on it.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Students will develop an advanced understanding of writings by Shakespeare and by his contemporaries, with particular attention having been given to genre, to then-contemporary social and political concerns, and to the conflicts among worldviews
- That understanding will be grounded on a history of ideas approach to the literary culture of Shakespeare’s time
Delivery and Resources
See details in iLearn
Arts Student Centre
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Phone: |
+61 2 9850 6783 |
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Email: |
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Office: |
W6A/Foyer |
Centre staff are there to smooth the way into university life; answer questions; give informed advice; provide a sympathetic ear; de-mystify uni ways and procedures.
Attendance of seminars is compulsory, as are delivery of the presentation and submission of the assignments. As has been mentioned above, extensions will be given only in exceptional circumstances. Late work will be penalised at the rate of 2% per day.
Plagiarism
The University defines plagiarism in its rules: “Plagiarism involves using the work of another person and presenting it as one’s own.” Plagiarism is a serious breach of the University’s rules and carries significant penalties. Information about
plagiarism can be found in the Handbook of Undergraduate Studies, on the web at http//www.student.mq.edu.au/plagiarism/. If you are in doubt consult your lecturer or tutor.
UNIT REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS
Attendance at seminars and completion of all assessment tasks are compulsory.
ASSIGNMENT SUBMISSIONS
Via Turnitin
REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDED TEXTS AND/OR MATERIALS
Greenblatt et al., eds, The Norton Shakespeare: The Essential Plays/The Sonnets.
Greenblatt et al., eds, The Norton Anthology of English Literature, Ninth Edition
(Volume B).
Both texts contain bibliographical references.
More extensive bibliographical information can be located by consultation of the
MLA Annual Bibliography.
Unit Schedule
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Week 1 |
Introduction |
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Week 2 |
Marlowe: Hero and Leander; Spenser: Amoretti |
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Week 3 |
Marlowe: Doctor Faustus |
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Week 4 |
Shakespeare: The Sonnets |
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Week 5 |
Shakespeare: Antony and Cleopatra; Donne: The Sun Rising |
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Week 6 |
Shakespeare: Hamlet; Donne: SatireIII |
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Week 7 |
Shakespeare: Macbeth |
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Week 8 |
Shakespeare: King Lear |
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Week 9 |
Shakespeare: Othello |
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Week 10 |
Jonson: Volpone and To Penshurst |
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Week 11 |
Bacon: New Atlantis and Essays |
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Week 12 |
Marvell: Poems |
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Week 13 |
Preparation for Final Essay |
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Graduate Capabilities
PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative
Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Students will develop an advanced understanding of writings by Shakespeare and by his contemporaries, with particular attention having been given to genre, to then-contemporary social and political concerns, and to the conflicts among worldviews
- That understanding will be grounded on a history of ideas approach to the literary culture of Shakespeare’s time
Assessment tasks
- Annotated Reading List
- Presentation and Essay
- Final Essay
PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills
Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Students will develop an advanced understanding of writings by Shakespeare and by his contemporaries, with particular attention having been given to genre, to then-contemporary social and political concerns, and to the conflicts among worldviews
- That understanding will be grounded on a history of ideas approach to the literary culture of Shakespeare’s time
Assessment tasks
- Annotated Reading List
- Presentation and Essay
- Final Essay
PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Students will develop an advanced understanding of writings by Shakespeare and by his contemporaries, with particular attention having been given to genre, to then-contemporary social and political concerns, and to the conflicts among worldviews
- That understanding will be grounded on a history of ideas approach to the literary culture of Shakespeare’s time
Assessment tasks
- Annotated Reading List
- Presentation and Essay
- Final Essay
PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability
Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Students will develop an advanced understanding of writings by Shakespeare and by his contemporaries, with particular attention having been given to genre, to then-contemporary social and political concerns, and to the conflicts among worldviews
- That understanding will be grounded on a history of ideas approach to the literary culture of Shakespeare’s time
Assessment tasks
- Annotated Reading List
- Presentation and Essay
- Final Essay
PG - Effective Communication
Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Students will develop an advanced understanding of writings by Shakespeare and by his contemporaries, with particular attention having been given to genre, to then-contemporary social and political concerns, and to the conflicts among worldviews
- That understanding will be grounded on a history of ideas approach to the literary culture of Shakespeare’s time
Assessment tasks
- Annotated Reading List
- Presentation and Essay
- Final Essay
PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens
Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Students will develop an advanced understanding of writings by Shakespeare and by his contemporaries, with particular attention having been given to genre, to then-contemporary social and political concerns, and to the conflicts among worldviews
- That understanding will be grounded on a history of ideas approach to the literary culture of Shakespeare’s time
Assessment tasks
- Annotated Reading List
- Presentation and Essay
- Final Essay
Learning Outcomes Information
ll academic programmes at Macquarie seek to develop graduate capabilities. These are:
COGNITIVE CAPABILITIES
- Discipline Knowledge and Skills
Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.
2. Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher-level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.
3. Research and Problem Solving Capability
Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.
INTERPERSONAL and PERSONAL DISPOSITIONS
- Effective Communication
Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats
5. Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical citizens
Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues
6. Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative
Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.
Note: The numbers listed at the end of each Learning Outcome indicate how it is aligned with the Graduate Capabilities.
The learning outcomes of this unit are:
(Link to graduate capabilities in brackets):
A. Students will develop an advanced understanding of writings by Shakespeare and by his contemporaries, with particular attention having been given to genre, to then-contemporary social and political concerns, and to the conflicts among worldviews (1-4)
B. That understanding will be grounded on a history of ideas approach to the literary culture of Shakespeare’s time (1-4)
Requirements and Expectations
Students must attend all seminars, offer a presentation, and submit all written work.