Critical reading
Rigorous critical analysis is at the heart of the study of literature and is one of the first skills we must acquire in order to become careful, discerning, critical readers. In this course, we will examine a selection of poetry and prose from the sixteenth to the twenty-first century, paying attention to various aspects of language and form, and using key concepts and terms of the critical idiom. This will allow us to develop and refine the skills necessary to analyze literary texts carefully and effectively.
Shakespeare on stage and screen
In this seminar we will explore the many different ways in which Shakespeare can be represented on stage and screen. Referring to a wide range of titles, we will focus on interpretations of three plays – Much Ado About Nothing, Henry V, and Macbeth. By looking at excerpts that feature actors and directors as diverse as Kenneth Branagh, Patrick Stewart, Julie Taymor, and Joss Whedon, we will explore some of the key differences between stage and screen Shakespeare, consider the variety of approaches directors take, and compare different interpretations of the same. play or role.