University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee
ENL 3331 | Early Shakespeare | Section 521
Tuesdays and Thursdays | 3:30pm – 4:45pm
Fall 2015 | Room A214
Professor: Dr. Tim Turner | Phone: (941) 359-4209 | Email: [email protected]
Office: B215 | Office Hours: Before and after class and by appointment
Official Course Description
A study of from five to eight of Shakespeare's comedies, histories, and early tragedies, ending with Hamlet. Special attention to
developing the student’s ability to read and interpret the text.
Course Intended Outcomes
The curriculum for the B.A. degree in English Literature develops the ability to:
 Demonstrate the ability to analyze and evaluate literary texts in light of the various cultural contextual issues that may impact
their creation and/or reception.
 Demonstrate the ability to analyze and evaluate literature as an art form, evidencing certain aesthetic principles that are
relative and dynamic.
 Demonstrate understanding of the canonical writers and texts in the British and American traditions, including criteria used in
canonization.
 Demonstrate critical thinking skills in the conduct of literary argument and the judicious use of primary and secondary textual
support.
 Write effective, correct scholarly prose, in accordance with MLA style.
Text (Required)
The Norton Shakespeare: ESSENTIAL PLAYS / THE SONNETS. ISBN 978-0-393-93313-0. Available at the campus bookstore and online.
Course Assignments and Grading
Attendance: 5%. Doing the readings, showing up to class on time with the relevant materials in hand (access to handouts on your
laptop is acceptable), and participating in class discussions and activities are crucial to success in this course.
Reading Quizzes: 15%. Weekly reading quizzes, given at the beginning of class, will gauge student completion and comprehension of
assigned readings. Ten quiz grades will be averaged to determine this portion of the final grade. Missed quizzes cannot be made up.
Short Response Papers: 20%. Students will submit short response papers (~500 words) examining a selected aspect of 4 out of the 5
plays we read this semester. Students have discretion in choosing which plays to write about, and therefore the due dates are
variable: 9/18 (Shrew), 10/4 (R&J), 10/23 (1H4), 11/13 (MoV), or 12/6 (TN). These papers will not be peer reviewed, but visiting the
writing center is always recommended. The papers may be revised based on professor feedback, but revision will not be required. A
response paper is a thoughtful reflection on an aspect of the play that was interesting to the student and that merits critical scrutiny.
A response paper is NOT a summary or merely a discussion of whether the student liked the play or not. The best papers will be
focused on a specific topic, based heavily on close textual analysis, and written to exacting stylistic standards.
Small Group Scene Performance: 50%. Working in small groups of 4-5, students will collaborate to perform a selected scene, chosen
in consultation with the professor, from one of the plays on the syllabus. This project, reflecting a significant portion of the final
grade, will emphasize preparedness, thoughtfulness, and creativity in the use of costumes and props. What is most important is that
the scene is performed and enacted rather than merely delivered. These scenes will be presented in a “festival” to take place during
the scheduled final exam period on 12/10 from 3:30 to 5:30pm (location TBD). (Each group will have up to ~25 minutes of this block
of time.) We will invite our family and friends, though the audience is likely to be small. Time permitting, there may also be a brief
Q&A for each group. Two class meetings have been set aside for students to meet in their performance groups (10/22 and 11/24);
however, students will need to spend additional hours outside of class preparing this performance. As part of this process, each
group will submit two progress reports (due on 10/27 and 12/1), and all students will complete assessments of themselves and
their collaborators (due on 12/10), as well as a reflection paper on the project (see below). The professor will make himself available
outside of class time to attend a rehearsal session for each group in the final week of classes (prior to exam week). It is expected that
each student will take part in the actual performance (and not merely serve as “director,” etc.); further, groups should select scenes
that will enable each individual group member to participate roughly equally (in many cases, character doubling, or having one actor
play two or more parts, may be necessary). Grades will be based on effort, accuracy of delivery, the complexity and appropriateness
of the chosen scene, and creativity in its interpretation; grades will not be based on acting ability (or lack thereof!) alone.
Grade Breakdown for Small Group Performances:
Progress Reports (x2):
10% (5% apiece; grades assigned to groups)
Individual Contribution:
25% (grades assigned to individuals)
Group Performance:
15% (grades assigned to groups)
Reflection Paper: 10%
At the time of the performance, students will submit individual reflection papers (~1000 words) discussing how he or she researched
and prepared for the performance (e.g., watching a film version of the scene), as well as how the process (from preparation through
performance) enriched her or his understanding of the scene, the character, the play, or the playwright. These papers will be due on
12/10. The best papers will be thoughtful, thorough, sincere, organized, and written to exacting stylistic standards.
Plus/Minus Scale for Final Grades:
A+ = 100-96.5 | A = 96.4-93.5 | A- = 93.4-89.5
B+ = 89.4-86.5 | B = 86.4-83.5 | B- = 83.4-79.5
C+ = 79.4-76.5 | C = 76.4-73.5 | C- = 73.4-69.5
D+ = 69.4-66.5 | D = 66.4-63.5 | D- = 63.4-59.5
F = 59.4-0
Laptop Use
Students are permitted to use their laptops to take notes; however, the professor reserves the right to ask that laptops be put away
if they become distracting. Students are explicitly prohibited from using their laptops in class for anything other than course-related
activities.
Canvas
This syllabus, along with other supporting materials for the course, as well as grades, will be posted to Canvas. I will use Canvas to
provide handouts, post announcements, and contact you via email. You are responsible for keeping track of materials in Canvas; you
should also understand that any announcements or emails posted through Canvas are understood as binding pronouncements.
Canvas support is available through USFSM E-Learning staff from 9am to 5pm Monday through Friday. Please visit or contact
Information Commons (second floor rotunda) if you need assistance. The USF Tampa IT Helpdesk provides 24 hour support for
Canvas. Please call 813-974-1222 or email [email protected] if you need assistance outside of USFSM’s E-Learning hours.
Course Requirements, Methods of Instruction, Policies, Procedures
Students are asked and expected to complete readings and assignments by their due dates; to show up to class on time; to
participate in class discussions and activities; and to be proactive about seeking answers to their questions, whether in class, via
email, or in office hours with the professor. Class meetings will mix lectures, discussions, group work, and individual activities.
Students should check their email and Canvas regularly for updates and announcements. Most work, with the exception of in-class
activities, must be submitted electronically through Canvas. Late papers are docked one letter grade per day (any time after the
deadline).
Absences, Make Up Work, Extra Credit
Excused absences require official documentation (legal, medical, or official university letterhead). When possible, students should
notify the professor of an excused absence in advance. Unexcused absences do not require notification. (I do not need to know the
details of your illness!) A courtesy email is fine but will not mitigate the adverse effect on your grade. Even excessive excused
absences will have a negative effect, since attendance and participation are crucial to the course. Missed quizzes cannot be made up
for unexcused absences. Students should request notes or assistance regarding missed discussions from their peers in the class (it is
not my responsibility to let you know what you missed). Exams cannot be made up for unexcused absences. An excused absence
from an exam will require attending an official makeup exam proctored by the College of Arts and Sciences on dates set by an
administrative assistant in the college. Extra credit is unlikely; no student should be counting on it. The professor may, however,
exercise discretion in devising and offering extra credit assignments.
Plagiarism
The University of South Florida has an account with an automated plagiarism detection service which allows student assignments to
be checked for plagiarism. I reserve the right to ask students to submit their assignments to Turnitin through Canvas. Assignments
are compared automatically with a database of journal articles, web articles, and previously submitted papers. The professor
receives a report showing exactly how a student’s paper was plagiarized. Pursuant to the provisions of the Family Educational Rights
and Privacy Act (FERPA), prior to submitting work to Turnitin, students should delete personal information (e.g., name, address,
telephone) from the submitted work. This protects you from having personal information disclosed to vendors or other outside
agencies. By your submission, you are also agreeing to release your original work for review for academic purposes to Turnitin.
USFSM AND USF SYSTEM POLICIES
A. Academic Dishonesty: The University considers any form of plagiarism or cheating on exams, projects, or papers to be
unacceptable behavior. Please be sure to review the university’s policy in the USFSM Catalog, the USF System Academic
Integrity of Students, and the USF System Student Code of Conduct.
B. Academic Disruption: The University does not tolerate behavior that disrupts the learning process. The policy for addressing
academic disruption is included with Academic Dishonesty in the USFSM Catalog, USF System Academic Integrity of Students,
and the USF System Student Code of Conduct.
C.
Contingency Plans: In the event of an emergency, it may be necessary for USFSM to suspend normal operations. During this
time, USFSM may opt to continue delivery of instruction through methods that include but are not limited to: Canvas,
Elluminate, Skype, and email messaging and/or an alternate schedule. It’s the responsibility of the student to monitor Canvas
site for each class for course specific communication, and the main USFSM and College websites, emails, and MoBull messages
for important general information. The USF hotline at 1 (800) 992-4231 is updated with pre-recorded information during an
emergency. See the Campus Police Website for further information.
D. Disabilities Accommodation: Students are responsible for registering with the Office of Students with Disabilities Services (SDS)
in order to receive academic accommodations. Reasonable notice must be given to the SDS office (typically 5 working days) for
accommodations to be arranged. It is the responsibility of the student to provide each professor with a copy of the official
Memo of Accommodation. Contact Information: Disability Coordinator, 941-359-4714, [email protected],
http://usfsm.edu/disability-services/
E.
Fire Alarm Instructions: At the beginning of each semester please note the emergency exit maps posted in each classroom.
These signs are marked with the primary evacuation route (red) and secondary evacuation route (orange) in case the building
needs to be evacuated. See Emergency Evacuation Procedures.
F.
Religious Observances: USFSM recognizes the right of students and faculty to observe major religious holidays. Students who
anticipate the necessity of being absent from class for a major religious observance must provide notice of the date(s) to the
professor, in writing, by the second week of classes. Instructors canceling class for a religious observance should have this
stated in the syllabus with an appropriate alternative assignment.
G. Sexual Misconduct/Sexual Harassment Reporting: 1) Sexual Misconduct/Sexual Harassment Reporting: USFSM is
committed to providing an environment free from sex discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence (USF
System Policy 0-004). 2) Other Types of Discrimination and Harassment: USFSM also is committed to providing an
environment free from discrimination and harassment based on race, color, marital status, sex, religion, national origin,
disability, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or veteran status (USF System Policy 0007). The Counseling and Wellness Center is a confidential resource where you can talk about incidents of sexual harassment
and gender-based crimes including sexual assault, stalking, and domestic/relationship violence. This confidential resource can
help you without having to report your situation to either the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities (OSSR) or the Office
of Diversity, Inclusion, and Equal Opportunity (DIEO), unless you request that they make a report. Please be aware that in
compliance with Title IX and under the USF System Policy, educators must report incidents of sexual harassment and genderbased crimes including sexual assault, stalking, and domestic/relationship violence. If you disclose any of these situations in
class, in papers, or to me personally, I am required to report it to OSSR or DIEO for investigation. The Deputy Coordinator for
USFSM is Allison Dinsmore, Coordinator of Disability Services & Student Advocacy, 941-359-4714 or [email protected].
Campus Resources:
Counseling Center and Wellness Center: 941-487-4254
Victim Advocate (24/7): 941-504-8599
List of off-campus resources:
Hope of Manatee: 941-755-6805
Safe Place & Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC) – Sarasota: 941-365-1976
First Call for Help- Manatee: 941-708-6488
Sarasota & North Port: 941-366-5025
Manatee Glens: 941-782-4800
H. Web Portal Information: Every newly enrolled USF student receives an official USF e-mail account. Students receive official USF
correspondence and Canvas course information via that address.
Reading & Assignment Schedule


Always complete the reading before the class meeting in which it will be discussed!
I suggest reading the introduction to each play as well as the short essays on comedy, history, and tragedy in The Norton
Essential Shakespeare.
8.25
8.27
9.1
9.3
9.8
9.10
9.15
9.17
9.22
9.24
9.29
10.1
10.6
10.8
10.13
10.15
10.20
10.22
10.27
10.29
10.31
11.3
11.5
11.10
11.12
11.17
11.19
11.24
11.26
12.1
12.3
12.10
Overview and Scene Dissection
Read “The Shakespearean Stage” in the Norton Essential Shakespeare, pp. 79-99
The Taming of the Shrew Act 1 (+Editor’s Introduction)
The Taming of the Shrew Act 2
The Taming of the Shrew Act 3
The Taming of the Shrew Act 4. Performance Groups selected by this date.
The Taming of the Shrew Act 5. Response Paper on Shrew due by 9/18
Romeo and Juliet Act 1 (+Editor’s Introduction)
Romeo and Juliet Act 2
Romeo and Juliet Act 3. Scenes selected and parts distributed by this date.
Romeo and Juliet Act 4
Romeo and Juliet Act 5. Response Paper on R&J due by 10/4
I Henry IV Act 1 (+Editor’s Introduction)
I Henry IV Act 2
I Henry IV Act 3
I Henry IV Act 4
I Henry IV Act 5. Response Paper on 1H4 due by 10/23
No class meeting; instead, meet in performance groups this week
The Merchant of Venice Act 1 (+Editor’s Introduction); Group Progress Report due
The Merchant of Venice Act 2.
Last Day to Drop with a “W”
The Merchant of Venice Act 3
Performance of Twelfth Night. Selby Auditorium, 4-5pm
For those who can, meet in the courtyard at 2:30PM to discuss The Merchant of Venice Act 4.
The Merchant of Venice Act 5. Response Paper on MoV due by 11/13
Twelfth Night Act 1 (+Editor’s Introduction)
Twelfth Night Act 2
Twelfth Night Act 3
No class meeting; instead, meet in performance groups this week
Thanksgiving Day (No Class Meeting)
Twelfth Night Act 4; Group Progress Report due
Twelfth Night Act 5. Response Paper on TN due by 12/6
Festival of Scene Performances; Reflection Papers due; Collaborator & Self Assessments due