Admission requirements
Successful completion of Literature 1A, 1B, 2 and 3 or equivalent.
Description
This course offers an introduction to a number of influential twentieth-century literary theories, ranging from early twentieth-century formalism to cultural studies, feminist and gender studies, and postcolonialism. Students will apply methods and insights from these theories to Shakespeare’s plays, works which have always, historically, been subject to varied and conflicting interpretations. Along with primary readings from key theorists, we will read six plays, each providing an opportunity to focus on one or two critical approaches to literary texts: Romeo and Juliet (structuralism, New Criticism); Hamlet (psychoanalytic theory); Taming of the Shrew (feminism); King Lear (Marxism and cultural materialism); The Tempest (postcolonialism); and Twelfth Night (gender theory).
Course objectives
Concise description of the course objectives formulated in terms of knowledge, insight and skills students will have acquired at the end of the course. The relationship between these objectives and achievement levels for the programme should be evident.
Timetable
The timetable will be available by June 1st at the website.
Mode of instruction
One two-hour seminar per week
Assessment method
Class participation (10%)
Short Shakespeare essay (20%)
Short research essay (20%)
Final research essay (50%)
Blackboard
This course is supported by Blackboard.
Reading list
Jonathan Culler, Literary Theory: A Very Short Introduction. ISBN: 978-0192853837
Julie Rivkin and Michael Ryan, eds. Literary Theory: An Anthology. ISBN: 978-1405106964
William Shakespeare, Hamlet. ISBN 978-0312055448
William Shakespeare, King Lear. ISBN 978-0393926644
William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet. ISBN 978-1411400368
William Shakespeare, The Tempest. ISBN 978-0312457525
William Shakespeare,The Taming of the Shrew. ISBN 978-0393927078
William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night. ISBN 978-0393925791
Registration
Students should register through uSis. Exchange studentens cannot register through uSis, but must see the director of studies and register with her. If you have any questions, please contact the departmental office, tel. 071 5272144 or mail: english@hum.leidenuniv.nl.
Exchange and Study Abroad students, please see the Study in Leiden website for information on how to apply.
Contact information
Departmental Office English Language and Culture, P.N. van Eyckhof 4, room 102C. Tel. 071 5272144; mail: english@hum.leidenuniv.nl.
Studentcounsellor Bachelor: Ms. S.H.J. Bollen, P.N. van Eyckhof 4, room 103B.
Coordinator of Studies Master: Ms. K. van der Zeeuw-Filemon, P.N. van Eyckhof 4, room 103C.