GEP0122 Shakespeare and Contemporary PerformanceBahçeşehir UniversityDegree Programs PSYCHOLOGYGeneral Information For StudentsDiploma SupplementErasmus Policy StatementNational QualificationsBologna Commission
PSYCHOLOGY
Bachelor TR-NQF-HE: Level 6 QF-EHEA: First Cycle EQF-LLL: Level 6

Course Introduction and Application Information

Course Code Course Name Semester Theoretical Practical Credit ECTS
GEP0122 Shakespeare and Contemporary Performance Fall 3 0 3 4
This catalog is for information purposes. Course status is determined by the relevant department at the beginning of semester.

Basic information

Language of instruction: English
Type of course: GE-Elective
Course Level: Bachelor’s Degree (First Cycle)
Mode of Delivery: Face to face
Course Coordinator : Dr. BURCU ALARSLAN ULUDAŞ
Recommended Optional Program Components: None.
Course Objectives: This course brings together performance studies, cultural theory, modern theatre history and a detailed study of Shakespearean text to give students the fullest possible understanding of how Shakespeare works today. Students will have the opportunity to explore, in depth, how Shakespeare’s texts are adapted to stage.

Learning Outcomes

The students who have succeeded in this course;
1- To develop a literary perspective and the ability to understand Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets.

2- To be able to develop critical thinking/writing skills, i.e., the ability to analyze, interpret, synthesize, and evaluate literary material.

3- To study specific topics (specific play) in an in-depth manner.

4- To set the works studied in their social, cultural, and political contexts.

5- To improve their ability to draw links among diverse literary texts and establish critical connections and adopt an interdisciplinary attitude.

6- To understand how actors, directors and adaptors make live theatre from raw material.

7- To understand how critics make sense of and write about performances.

8- To learn how a Shakespearean text is adapted for an actual performance.

Course Content

Detailed study of Shakespeare’s plays and analysis of spcecific performances.

Weekly Detailed Course Contents

Week Subject Related Preparation
1) Introduction to the Course. Review of general concepts (renaissance, reform…)
2) 16th century England The Tudors, Queen Elizabeth, Literature and art in the 16th century
3) Life and works of Shakespeare. His life, works, general characteristics of his works, common themes (from selected texts), his tragedies, comedies and historical plays.
4) Shakespeare’s Tragedies Terms related to tragedy (tragic hero, tragic flaw…) Close reading - Hamlet...
5) Hamlet:morality, corruption, ambition, action—madness Reading - Hamlet
6) Hamlet Viewing parts of two film adaptations of Hamlet: Laurence Olivier’s 1948 version and Kenneth Branagh’s 1997 version
7) Shakespeare the Poet What is a sonnet? The “ Young Man” and the “Dark Lady” Themes: Art, immortality, time, death
8) Review
9) Guest lecturer - discussion of one of the plays we've watched.
10) One of Shakespeare's tragedies (Macbeth, Othello or Merchant of Venice) Reading
11) Continue analyzing the play (tragedy).
12) Shakespeare’s Comedies Theme Appearance and Reality How Shakespeare constructes a complex orchestration between different characters and between appearance and reality and how he uses this pattern to comment on a variety of human foibles. Selected readings from A Midsummer Night’s Dream Reading - A Midsummer Night’s Dream
13) A Midsummer Night’s Dream continued...
14) Shakespeare’s Fools: The wisdom of Shakespeare’s fools.
15) Final Exam
16) Final Sınavı

Sources

Course Notes / Textbooks: Shakespeare'in seçilen 3 oyunu
Shakespeare yazar ve eserleri - Stanley Wells
Shakespeare in Production: Whose History? H.R. Coursen
The Shakespearean Stage 1574-1642 – Andrew Gurr
Articles – depending on the plays being discussed that semester
References:

Evaluation System

Semester Requirements Number of Activities Level of Contribution
Attendance 16 % 10
Quizzes 2 % 10
Midterms 1 % 40
Final 1 % 40
Total % 100
PERCENTAGE OF SEMESTER WORK % 60
PERCENTAGE OF FINAL WORK % 40
Total % 100

ECTS / Workload Table

Activities Number of Activities Workload
Course Hours 16 48
Study Hours Out of Class 2 10
Homework Assignments 2 10
Midterms 1 15
Final 1 15
Total Workload 98

Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes

No Effect 1 Lowest 2 Low 3 Average 4 High 5 Highest
           
Program Outcomes Level of Contribution
1) To develop an interest in the human mind and behavior, to be able to evaluate theories using empirical findings, to understand that psychology is an evidence-based science by acquiring critical thinking skills.
2) To gain a biopsychosocial perspective on human behavior. To understand the biological, psychological, and social variables of behavior.
3) To learn the basic concepts in psychology and the theoretical and practical approaches used to study them (e.g. basic observation and interview techniques).
4) To acquire the methods and skills to access and write information using English as the dominant language in the psychological literature, to recognize and apply scientific research and data evaluation techniques (e.g. correlational, experimental, cross-sectional and longitudinal studies, case studies).
5) To be against discrimination and prejudice; to have ethical concerns while working in research and practice areas.
6) To recognize the main subfields of psychology (experimental, developmental, clinical, cognitive, social and industrial/organizational psychology) and their related fields of study and specialization.
7) To acquire the skills necessary for analyzing, interpreting and presenting the findings as well as problem posing, hypothesizing and data collection, which are the basic elements of scientific studies.
8) To gain the basic knowledge and skills necessary for psychological assessment and evaluation.
9) To acquire basic knowledge of other disciplines (medicine, genetics, biology, economics, sociology, political science, communication, philosophy, anthropology, literature, law, art, etc.) that will contribute to psychology and to use this knowledge in the understanding and interpretation of psychological processes.
10) To develop sensitivity towards social problems; to take responsibility in activities that benefit the field of psychology and society.
11) To have problem solving skills and to be able to develop the necessary analytical approaches for this. 3
12) To be able to criticize any subject in business and academic life and to be able to express their thoughts. 3