GEP0122 Shakespeare and Contemporary PerformanceBahçeşehir UniversityDegree Programs NEW MEDIAGeneral Information For StudentsDiploma SupplementErasmus Policy StatementNational QualificationsBologna Commission
NEW MEDIA
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 Spring 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 be able to critically interpret and discuss the theories, the concepts, the traditions, and the developments in the history of thought which are fundamental for the field of new media, journalism and communication.
2) To be able to attain written, oral and visual knowledge about technical equipment and software used in the process of news and the content production in new media, and to be able to acquire effective abilities to use them on a professional level.
3) To be able to get information about the institutional agents and generally about the sector operating in the field of new media, journalism and communication, and to be able to critically evaluate them.
4) To be able to comprehend the reactions of the readers, the listeners, the audiences and the users to the changing roles of media environments, and to be able to provide and circulate an original contents for them and to predict future trends.
5) To be able to apprehend the basic theories, the concepts and the thoughts related to neighbouring fields of new media and journalism in a critical manner.
6) To be able to grasp global and technological changes in the field of communication, and the relations due to with their effects on the local agents.
7) To be able to develop skills on gathering necessary data by using scientific methods, analyzing and circulating them in order to produce content.
8) To be able to develop acquired knowledge, skills and competence upon social aims by being legally and ethically responsible for a lifetime, and to be able to use them in order to provide social benefit.
9) To be able to operate collaborative projects with national/international colleagues in the field of new media, journalism and communication.
10) To be able to improve skills on creating works in various formats and which are qualified to be published on the prestigious national and international channels.