Overview

This module offers third-year students the opportunity to explore in much greater depth their interests in Shakespeare and his contemporaries. As the semester unfolds, you will have the opportunity to study works in prose, poetry and drama, to discover unexpected examples of comedy, tragedy and satire and to consider the ways in which writing in the sixteenth- and seventeenth-century writing engages with, challenges and sometimes thwarts our expectations in the twenty-first century.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -Typically, work graded D- to D+ (or 40 to 49) will show many of the following qualities:•Unsure and lacking in confidence when discussing ideas•Referring to the subject in question in a superficial manner•Making an effort to provide fairly balanced answers•Some points in the argument irrelevant to the topic•Little evidence of background reading•Some uncertainty over language and syntax•Strengths and weaknesses fairly balanced; occasionally clumsy and unimaginative•In creative work: superficial•Not succeeding in mastering the requirements of the medium -good -Typically, work graded B- to B+ (or 60 to 69) will show many of the following qualities:•Discusses ideas adeptly•Most of the arguments about a specific field are well-aired•Displays knowledge of the subject in question; the answer is relevant•Shows analytical and clear thought•Gives evidence of relevant reading•Shows accuracy in expression with mastery over language.•A few minor errors here and there.•Signs of creative thought deserve a higher position within the class•In creative work: shows signs of originality, having understood the requirements of the medium•Plans of well-balanced and full answers, despite some gaps -excellent -Typically, work graded A- to A** (or 70 to 100) will show many of the following qualities:•Discusses ideas with confidence and precision•Demonstrates maturity and sophistication•Displays deep knowledge of the subject in question; the answer is totally relevant•Shows independent, analytical and clear thought•Gives evidence of substantial and relevant reading•Shows great accuracy in expression, displaying total mastery over all aspects of the language•Shows occasional signs of brilliance and originality of thought•In creative work: displays considerable originality•Command over medium; may have potential for publication/production

Learning Outcomes

• enhanced experience of textual interpretative strategies

• enhanced research skills with reference to textual analysis.

• enhanced skills to exploit library collection, most particularly with reference to the early modern texts and databases of early modern literature.

• enhanced understanding of the diversity of English literature produced from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.