Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
Shakespeare is now seen as a classic of world literature, but how and why did his imaginative achievement escape its national confines? How did it become a privileged place for a variety of writers, artists, and composers (many of them non-anglophone) for thinking through what constitutes a classic, a tradition, and the role of literature in exploring the human condition? This story is part of a much larger story in which we see European Romanticism reshaping these issues and wrestling with the concept of the 'modern' and its relationship with the past. This course begins with Shakespeare in his period, but moves outward to examine key texts and productions from the humanist, neo-classical and romantic periods in thought in which the problem of traditions is thematised.
WCIV2300 is a two-unit (#2) course designed to introduce students to Shakespeare's writings and their reception over time.ﾠThe course is delivered through a combination of a one-hour online lecture and a two-hour intensive reading and discussion group.ﾠRegular attendance, reading and participationﾠin all components of the course is vital. ﾠ
Course requirements
Assumed background
For this course, no previous knowledge of Shakespeare is assumed.
*Content warning: Please be aware that Shakespeare's plays often feature rape, domestic abuse, murder, and other forms of violence. These issues will not necessarily be the focus of our discussions, but they will appear.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
WCIV1100 or 4 units of HUMN courses.
Restrictions
BAdvHum(Hons) and BHum/LLB(Hons) students only. BAdvHum(Hons) students taking this course as an elective please email westernciv@uq.edu.au to enable your enrolment.
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
This course aims to:
1. Give you an understanding of Shakespeare's cultural prominence and how it was achieved.
2. Give you an understanding of Shakespeare's reception, in both critical and creative ways, across times and places.
3. Give you an understanding of why and how Shakespeare matters today.
4. Teach you to beﾠable to close read texts, themes, and patterns in Shakespeare's work.
5. Teach you how to work well with others in groups.
6. Contribute to the development of a range of graduate attributes, includingﾠcomputer literacy, the use of a library and the internet in scholarly research, the management of information, the synthesis of ideas, the capacity to solve problems,ﾠand the ability to communicate successfully both orally and in print.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Give an account of Shakespeare's rise to cultural prominence over time, and how and why his work still matters today.
LO2.
Give an account of Shakespeare's critical and cultural reception across times and places.
LO3.
Work well with your fellow students to achieve a mutually agreed aim.
LO4.
Be able to make convincing written and spoken arguments about Shakespeare's plays, their reception over time, and their importance today.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation/ Student contribution |
Participation
|
15% |
22/07/2024 - 21/10/2024 |
| Essay/ Critique, Performance |
Video presentation
|
30% |
20/08/2024 2:00 pm
|
| Essay/ Critique, Participation/ Student contribution, Performance |
Staged reading
|
15% |
17/09/2024 - |
| Essay/ Critique |
Research proposal, bibliography, and essay
|
40% |
15/10/2024 - 5/11/2024 |
Assessment details
Participation
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Oral, Written
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
22/07/2024 - 21/10/2024
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
Participation in this course involves active engagement through informed vocal discussion, bringing thoughtful questions to class, showing clear signs of having prepared for class through reading and other means, and so on. You must bring the relevant texts to tutorial sessions, and no phones may be used in class. You will also write short responses to the assigned texts in each tutorial, which will be marked on a pass-fail basis.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Participation will be measured in class. Writing exercises will be completed in-class and cannot be made up. Absences will be excused only on submission of a authorising document such as a medical certificate.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Video presentation
- Identity Verified
- Online
- Mode
- Oral, Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia
- Category
- Essay/ Critique, Performance
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
20/08/2024 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L04
Task description
The point of this assessment is to encourage engagements with Shakespeare and his reception that will allow you to be creative and to respond to Shakespeare in ways that aren't limited to essays or exams. You will be required to memorise one of Shakespeare's sonnets (your choice), and to record yourself reciting the poem, with attention paid to staging, props, costumes, and whatever other ways you wish to use to put across your particular reading of the sonnet. In the second part of this assessment, you'll submit the video along with a short (900 word) reflective essay explaining your choices. Both essay and video must be uploaded by 2pm on Tuesday, 20 August.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submit the video and the essay through the Blackboard portal.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Staged reading
- Identity Verified
- Team or group-based
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Oral, Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique, Participation/ Student contribution, Performance
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
17/09/2024 -
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
In this assessment you'll be working in small groups to develop and perform a staged reading of a scene from one of Shakespeare's plays, plus a short (800-900 word) reflective piece written collectively about what you've learned through the process of developing this performance. Your group will pick the play and scene to stage, and each member of the group should have a speaking or acting role, however small. You will not be marked on your acting ability, but you must demonstrate familiarity and ease with the script; you'll also be marked on the quality and depth of your reflection and on your creative approaches to the task. You will have approximately 30 minutes to deliver your scene, although you need not take up this entire allowance of time. The essay must be uploaded by 2pm on Tuesday, 17 September, and your performance will happen in your seminar.
More details on this assessment will be available through the course Blackboard site.
The University has a collection of resources to assist students with teamwork. It is recommended you access the following to help prepare you for this assessment item, or to assist with overcoming any problems that may arise:
If you encounter a problem with your group that you cannot resolve through discussion with your fellow group members contact your Course Coordinator. All reasonable attempts to resolve the matter within the group are expected to have been made prior to contacting the Course Coordinator.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submit the essay to Turnitin; the performance will happen in-class.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Research proposal, bibliography, and essay
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
15/10/2024 - 5/11/2024
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L04
Task description
For this assessment, you will write a 2000-word research essay that responds to one of the questions that will be available on Blackboard. You will also write a 1500-word proposal and annotated bibliography, due on Tuesday 15 October at 2pm, as a developmental assessment for the essay. You will be marked on the proposal/bibliography and given feedback to assist you for the final essay, which will be due on Tuesday 5 November at 2pm. The research proposal and bibliography will count for 10% , and the research essay itself will count for 30%.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submit both the proposal and finished essay through the Turnitin portal.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 24.99 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Grade 1, Serious Fail (0-24.99%), is generally awarded in cases where some work has been submitted, but of wholly unsatisfactory standard or quantity. In work submitted, however, there is no demonstrated evidence of understanding of the concepts of the field of study or basic requirements of the course. |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - 44.99 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Grade 2, Fail (25-44.99%), is generally awarded to work that exhibits deficiencies in understanding and applying the fundamental concepts of the course and field of study, and as such, does not satisfy the basic requirements of the course. Often, one or more major items of assessment will not have been completed. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Grade 3, Marginal Fail (45-49.99%), is generally awarded if a student has submitted work that attempts to meet the knowledge and skill requirements of the course, but is only able to demonstrate a superficial understanding of the fundamental concepts of the course. Students will usually have attempted all major pieces of assessment and show that they have an identifiable, emerging ability to apply basic knowledge and skills. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Grade 4, Pass (50-64.99%), is generally awarded where all major items of assessment have been submitted. An adequate knowledge of the fundamental concepts of the course and field of study should be demonstrated and a functional skill level achieved. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Grade 5, Credit (65-74.99%), is generally awarded where all items of assessment have been completed and a substantial understanding of the fundamental concepts of the course and field of study have been demonstrated. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Grade 6, Distinction (75-84.99%), is generally awarded where all items of assessment have been completed and substantial knowledge of the deeper and more complex aspects of the course and field of study have been demonstrated. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Grade 7, High Distinction (85-100%),mis generally awarded where all items of assessment have been completed and there is evidence that the deeper and more complex aspects of the course and field of study have been mastered. |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Own copy required
You'll need to have your own copy of the following reading resources. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Book |
The Norton Shakespeare
by Shakespeare; William; Greenblatt; Stephen - 2016 Edition: Third edition Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company ISBN: 9780393264029; 9780393938579; 9780393938586 |
Additional learning resources information
Student Services
Student services offer a variety of short courses during the semester which will help you improve your study, research and writing skills.
The team also offers a wide range of professional and confidential services.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Seminar |
Introduction: Shakespeare and his reception Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
|
Seminar |
Shakespeare and the Sonnet Sonnets Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
Seminar |
Early Modern Theatre and Shakespeare A Midsummer Night's Dream Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
|
Seminar |
Shakespeare and the Book First Folio paratexts Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
|
Seminar |
Neoclassical Shakespeare Julius Caesar Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
|
Seminar |
Shakespeare and the Germans Hamlet Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
|
Seminar |
Romantic Shakespeare King Lear (conflated edition) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
|
Seminar |
Case study: Macbeth Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
|
Seminar |
Case study: The Merchant of Venice Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
|
Seminar |
Case Study: The Maori Merchant of Venice Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
|
Seminar |
Case study: The Winter's Tale Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.