The course objective is to trace the medieval roots of English Renaissance drama by contextualizing the changing forms and thematic concerns of the early modern era. The course will examine how subject matter, character types and staging traditions of the medieval plays become both the point of departure and point of reference to the early modern texts.
Prerequisite(s)
None
Corequisite(s)
None
Special Requisite(s)
None
Instructor(s)
Assist. Prof. Dr.. Tanguy Harma
Course Assistant(s)
Schedule
Wednesday, 09:00 - 11:45
Office Hour(s)
Wednesdays 15:00 - 16:00
4A02
Teaching Methods and Techniques
-Formal lectures, discussions and presentations.
Principle Sources
Everyman
The Second Shepherds’ Play
William Shakeshepare, The Tempest
Christopher Marlowe, Dr. Faustus
Ben Jonson, The Alchemist
Other Sources
The Cambridge Companion to English Renaissance Drama
Course Schedules
Week
Contents
Learning Methods
1. Week
Introduction to the Renaissance era
Oral presentation, Group Discussions and Term Paper
2. Week
The Medieval roots of Renaissance Drama
Liturgical plays:
Everyman (circa 1490)
Oral presentation, Group Discussions and Term Paper
3. Week
Dramatic features:
Everyman (continuing)
Oral presentation, Group Discussions and Term Paper
4. Week
Miracle/Mystery plays
The Wakefield Master, The Second Shepherds’ Play (circa 1475)
(adapted to modern English by Ian Borden)
Oral presentation, Group Discussions and Term Paper
5. Week
Interpreting allegories:
The Second Shepherds’ Play (continuing)
Oral presentation, Group Discussions and Term Paper
6. Week
Meeting with the master:
William Shakespeare, The Tempest (1611)
Oral presentation, Group Discussions and Term Paper
7. Week
The Tempest (continuing)
Oral presentation, Group Discussions and Term Paper
8. Week
Midterm week
9. Week
The Tempest through the centuries:
Julie Taymor’s film adaptation (2010)
Oral presentation, Group Discussions and Term Paper
10. Week
Elizabethan tragedies:
Christopher Marlowe, The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus (1592)
Oral presentation, Group Discussions and Term Paper
11. Week
The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus (continuing)
Oral presentation, Group Discussions and Term Paper
12. Week
Illusions and delusions of the Renaissance era:
Ben Jonson, The Alchemist (1610)
(adapted to modern English by William Gifford)
Oral presentation, Group Discussions and Term Paper
13. Week
The Alchemist (continuing)
Oral presentation, Group Discussions and Term Paper
14. Week
Revisions
15. Week
Final Exams Week
16. Week
17. Week
Assessments
Evaluation tools
Quantity
Weight(%)
Midterm(s)
1
35
Quizzes
1
20
Attendance
1
10
Final Exam
1
35
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
Show knowledge of the beginnings of English drama and trace its development from its Medieval origins to Renaissance period.
LO-2
Identify, distinguish between and assess the distinctive characteristics of staging conventions in Medieval and Renaissance eras.
LO-3
Recall and define critical terms and seminal concepts relating to socio-historical and theatrical contexts from which Renaissance plays have emerged.
LO-4
Show an awareness of how medieval themes, subject matter and character types have shaped Renaissance dramatists in the creation of their works.
LO-5
Demonstrate critical skills in the close reading, description, interpretation, analysis of the dramatic texts by focusing on the aspects relationship between Medieval plays and Renaissance drama.
LO-6
Show competence in planning and preparation of presentations and written work for the course.
