This course will provide a graduate-level introduction to the study of Shakespeare. We will consider a selection of his plays in their broader social, cultural, and literary context, exploring them within these networks of meaning to a arrive at a more comprehensive understanding of his work. No previous study of Shakespeare is required for the seminar.

This course is a research seminar, and one of its goals is to help you practice and hone the skills of scholarly work, including:

1. Using secondary criticism to interpret and develop arguments about literature.

2. Using MLA citation style.

5. Planning, structuring, and carrying out a research project.

More generally, you should expect that in this seminar we will work on: 

1. Producing clear and consistent critical writing for a scholarly audience.

2. Reading, understanding, and assessing the literary and cultural significance of Shakespeare’s writing.

3. Using collaborative work to achieve course outcomes.

4. Exploring our texts and ideas through discussion and oral presentations.