The aim of the course is to strengthen critical thinking and research skills through multiple close readings of a single text and multiple texts from a single theoretical perspective. The course also involves application of theories.
Prerequisite(s)
None
Corequisite(s)
None
Special Requisite(s)
None
Instructor(s)
Assist. Prof. Dr. Defne Demir
Course Assistant(s)
--
Schedule
Friday 13:00-16:00
Office Hour(s)
Friday 16:00-17:00
Teaching Methods and Techniques
Lecture, discussion.
Principle Sources
Shakespeare, Hamlet (Folger Edition)
Other Sources
Peter Barry, Beginning Theory
Raman Selden, Practicing Literary Theory and Reading Literature.
Course Schedules
Week
Contents
Learning Methods
1. Week
Introduction
Reading, discussion
2. Week
Introduction to Hamlet as a timeless play
T.S. Eliot from The Sacred Wood
Reading, discussion
3. Week
Hamlet close textual reading (Act I - Act II)
Reading, discussion
4. Week
Hamlet close textual reading (Act II, Scene 1- Act III, Scene II)
Reading, discussion
5. Week
Hamlet close textual reading (Act IV-Act V)
Reading, discussion
6. Week
Hamlet continued
Reading, discussion
7. Week
Hamlet continued
Reading, discussion
8. Week
Midtem exam week
Exam
9. Week
Historicist Readings
Roland Mushat Frye “The Deliberate Prince” , from The Renaissance Hamlet : Issues and Responses in 1600
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe from Wilhelm Meister’s Apprenticeship.
A.C. Bradley from Shakespearean Tragedy
Reading, discussion
10. Week
A New Historicist Reading
Peter Barry - Beginning Theory p. 166 - 184
Stephan Greenblatt , Chapter 5 from Hamlet in Purgatory
Reading, discussion
11. Week
Psychoanalytic Readings
Sigmund Freud “The Material and Sources of Dreams” From The Interpretation of Dreams
Edgar Irving from The Psychoanalytic Approach to Shakespeare's Hamlet
Paul A. Jorgensen "Hamlet's Therapy"in The Huntington Library Quarterly
Reading, discussion
12. Week
Feminist Readings
Carolyn Heilbrun “The Character of Hamlet's Mother”
Reading, discussion
13. Week
Magda Romanska “ Ontology and Eroticism: Two Bodies of Ophelia”
Elaine Showalter “Representing Ophelia: Women, Madness, and the Responsibilities of Feminist Criticism”
Reading, discussion
14. Week
A Queer Reading
Thys Heydenrych “To tell our Storie”: Reflections on a Queer Adaptation of Hamlet in Twenty-First Century South Africa
Reading, discussion
15. Week
16. Week
17. Week
Assessments
Evaluation tools
Quantity
Weight(%)
Midterm(s)
1
35
Homework / Term Projects / Presentations
1
20
Final Exam
1
45
Program Outcomes
PO-1
Show knowledge of a substantial range of authors, movements and texts from different periods of literary history.
PO-2
Identify the intellectual, cultural and socio-historical contexts in which literature
is written and read.
PO-3
Employ the necessary skills in the reading, analysis and in appreciation of literature.
PO-4
Recognize, interpret, and comment on rhetorical and figurative language.
PO-5
Identify, distinguish between and assess the distinctive characteristics of texts written in the principle literary genres.
PO-6
Recall and define key terms and concepts relating to language, literature and/or culture.
PO-7
Recognize the role of different social and cultural contexts in affecting meaning.
PO-8
Demonstrate responsiveness to the central role of language in the creation of meaning.
PO-9
Recognize different structures and discourse functions of the English language.
PO-10
Display competence both in written and/or oral expression and in the
communication of ideas in a variety of contexts.
PO-11
Demonstrate critical skills in the close reading, description, interpretation,
and analysis of literary and non-literary texts.
PO-12
Use logical thought, critical reasoning, and rhetorical skills to effectively
construct arguments.
PO-13
Apply guided research skills including the ability to gather, sift, organize and
present information and material.
PO-14
Show competence in planning, preparation and revision of essays,
presentations, and other written and project work.
PO-15
Reflect on ethical and philosophical issues raised in literary, critical, and
cultural texts.
Learning Outcomes
LO-1
Upon completion of this course students will be able to
better appreciate literary works having seen them analyzed from different theoretical perspectives
LO-2
broaden their understanding of the key terms and theories of literary criticism in application
LO-3
generate and articulate personal responses to literary and critical texts
LO-4
demonstrate through written work and in-class commentary ability to apply various theories to literary works
LO-5
understand the multiple nature of texts and how they change when seen through different lenses
