READING SCHEDULE FOR E316 SHAKESPARE’S MAJOR PLAYS
CSU FULLERTON, FALL 2011 (M/W SECTION)
*2023 Note. Most links and procedural information have been removed from this archival copy, leaving mainly the assigned editions and the reading schedule.
COURSE INFORMATION. English 316, Course Code 20640, Section 81. MW 2:30 – 3:45 p.m., Irvine Campus (IRVC) 203. Instructor: Alfred J. Drake, Ph.D. Office hours: MW 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. in IRVC Room 261. Email: ajdrake_at_ajdrake.com. Catalog: “A study of Shakespeare’s major plays. Units (3). Prereq: English 101 or equivalent.’’ English 316 is a required course for the Bachelor of Arts degree (and for a minor) in English, and it serves as a prerequisite for English 416, an advanced seminar in Shakespeare.”
REQUIRED TEXTS AT IRVINE CAMPUS BOOKSTORE
Greenblatt, Stephen et al., eds. The Norton Shakespeare. 2nd ed. Four-Volume Genre Paperback Set. Norton, 2008. ISBN-13: 978-0-393-93152-5.
QUESTIONS FOR JOURNALS AND PRESENTATIONS
*2023 Note. Visitors may download the following questions in PDF format: SHAKESPEARE QUESTIONS.
SCHEDULE: WORKS DISCUSSED ON DATES INDICATED
WEEK 1
Note: At relevant points, please read the Norton General Introduction to Shakespeare (1-99) as well as the Introductions to Comedy (103-18), Tragedy (103-14), History (103-15), and Romance (103-17) in the respective volumes. Introductions to the specific plays are also assigned.
M. 08/22. Course Introduction.
W. 08/24. The Comedy of Errors (1592-94; Acts 1-2, Comedies 245-66).
WEEK 2
M. 08/29. The Comedy of Errors (1592-94; Acts 3-5, Comedies 267-93).
W. 08/31. A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1595-96; Acts 1-2, Comedies 367-94).
WEEK 3
M. No classes: Labor Day Holiday, Campus Closed.
W. 09/07. A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1595-96; Acts 3-5, Comedies 394-424).
WEEK 4
M. 09/12. The Merchant of Venice (1596-97; Acts 1-3, Comedies 425-73).
W. 09/14. The Merchant of Venice (1596-97; Acts 4-5, Comedies 473-89).
WEEK 5
M. 09/19. Twelfth Night (1601-02; Acts 1-3, Comedies 689-736).
W. 09/21. Twelfth Night (1601-02; Acts 4-5, Comedies 736-750).
WEEK 6
M. 09/26. The Life and Death of King John (1594-96; Acts 1-3, Histories 529-70).
W. 09/28. The Life and Death of King John (1594-96; Acts 4-5, Histories 570-94).
WEEK 7
M. 10/03. Titus Andronicus (1593-94; Acts 1-3, Tragedies 115-55).
W. 10/05. Titus Andronicus (1593-94; Acts 4-5, Tragedies 155-79).
WEEK 8
M. 10/10. Romeo and Juliet (1595-96; Acts 1-3, Tragedies 181-238).
W. 10/12. Romeo and Juliet (1595-96; Acts 4-5, Tragedies 238-56).
WEEK 9
M. 10/17. Othello (1604; Acts 1-3, Tragedies 425-81).
W. 10/19. Othello (1604; Acts 4-5, Tragedies 481-507).
WEEK 10
M. 10/24. Hamlet (1600-01; Acts 1-2, Tragedies 323-72).
W. 10/26. Hamlet (1600-01; Acts 3-4, Tragedies 372-408).
WEEK 11
M. 10/31. Hamlet (1600-01; Act 5, Tragedies 408-24)
W. 11/02. King Lear (1605; Act 1, Tragedies Intro 571-81, conflated text 739-59).
WEEK 12
M. 11/07. King Lear (1605; Acts 2-3, conflated text 759-87).
W. 11/09. King Lear (1605; Acts 4-5, Tragedies conflated text 787-813).
WEEK 13
M. 11/14. Henry V (1599; Acts 1-3, Histories 759-805).
W. 11/16. Henry V (1599; Acts 4-5, Histories 805-836).
WEEK 14
M. 11/21. Fall Recess. No Classes.
W. 11/23. Fall Recess. No Classes.
WEEK 15
M. 11/28. Cymbeline (1609-10; Acts 1-3, Romances and Poems 273-313).
W. 11/30. Cymbeline (1609-10; Acts 4-5, Romances and Poems 313-64).
WEEK 16
M. 12/05. The Tempest (1611; Acts 1-3, Romances and Poems 365-410).
W. 12/07. The Tempest (1611; Acts 4-5, Romances and Poems 410-425).
FINALS WEEK
Final Exam Date: Wednesday, December 14, 2:30 – 4:20 p.m.