Outline

Overview

This unit explores selected works of Shakespeare in the historical context of the 20th and 21st centuries. It provides an introduction to the modern Shakespeare industry with particular focus on recent developments in theatrical performance, film, and other adaptations, and theoretical approaches. Detailed attention will be paid to both the texts of the plays and to their modern manifestations.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	ENGL6982
Academic unit
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Ruby Kilroy, ruby.kilroy@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Long Essay Essay/ long answer	65%	Mid-semester exam period Due date: 07 Jun 2022 at 23:59	4000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Short Essay Essay/ long answer	35%	Week 08 Due date: 13 Apr 2022 at 23:59	2000 words
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

This unit uses standards-based assessment for award of assessment marks. Your assessments will be evaluated solely on the basis of your individual performance

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result Name	Mark Range	Description
High Distinction	85-100	The work demonstrates a deep and intelligent understanding of, and individual engagement with material; presents a very close analysis of focal texts or issues; addresses a specific issue and develops an independent critical or theoretical argument successfully; indicates awareness of complexities and qualifications in argumentation; demonstrates careful thought about the critical, historical and/or theoretical context of the texts or issues; provides evidence of wide-ranging reading; is properly referenced and well-presented. The writing is characterized by creativity, clarity, and independent insight. A High Distinction is distinguished from a Distinction by the work''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''s demonstration of awareness of subtleties, nuances, qualifications and a possible other case. Work which is awarded a mark of over 90% will often contain some publishable or potentially publishable elements.
Distinction	75-84	The work demonstrates an intelligent understanding of, and individual engagement with material; analyses focal texts or issues appositely; addresses an issue and presents a well-argued, coherent case; demonstrates careful thought about the critical, historical and/or theoretical context of the texts or issues; provides evidence of reading beyond what is strictly required for the task; is properly referenced and well presented. The writing is characterized by individuality, clarity, and independent insight. A Distinction is distinguished from a High Credit chiefly by the quality of theoretical understanding and the range of intellectual enquiry it demonstrates.
Credit	65-74	70-74% (High Credit) The work provides evidence of independent reading and thinking about focal texts or issues and their contexts; shows some clear understanding of relevant critical and theoretical considerations and of the conceptual issues raised by a unit of study; uses close critical analysis; avoids summary; indicates an intelligent attempt at a critical or theoretical argument; is clearly and effectively written; is well-referenced. A High Credit is distinguished from a Low Credit chiefly by the extent of independent discussion of focal texts or issues, and by some obvious attempt to interpret the outcome of close analysis. 65-69% (Low Credit) The work shows some understanding of relevant critical and theoretical considerations and of the conceptual issues raised by a unit of study; demonstrates some independent reading and thinking about focal texts or issues and their contexts; uses close critical analysis; avoids summary; attempts a critical or theoretical argument; is clearly and effectively written; is adequately referenced. A Low Credit is distinguished from a High Pass by the extent of independent discussion of focal texts or issues, the clarity of the writing and the extent to which it attempts a more general critical and/or theoretical argument.
Pass	50-64	58-64% (High Pass) The work gives some evidence of ability to attempt an independent argument and to structure material coherently; demonstrates a genuine attempt at independent reading and thinking about focal texts or issues though the essay may contain some oversimplification or superficiality; generally avoids summary, paraphrase or unsubstantiated assertion; may sometimes present quotation for illustrative purposes merely, but does also present the outcome of some critical analysis; is adequately expressed; is adequately referenced. 50-57% (Pass) The work provides clear evidence of having read and thought about focal texts or issues; attempts a coherent argument though there may be ellipses in argumentation; uses some close critical analysis; may paraphrase fairly extensively; tends to use quotation for illustrative purposes only; may tend towards generality in answering a question; may present simplistic comment or unsubstantiated assertions; is adequately expressed though there may be some weaknesses in this area; may contain some referencing errors.
Fail	0-49	Work may fail for any of the following reasons: no evidence of having read the prescribed material closely; sloppy, inconsistent presentation; preponderance of paraphrase, mere plot summary or listing of superficial characteristics; excessive use of quotation for illustrative purposes only, without any attempt at analysis; excessive level of generality in answering a question; inappropriate or obscure expression; incoherent general structure; inadequate referencing; late submission of work without extension.

General advice on grade descriptors are available on the University of Sydney Current Students website: https://sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.html

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction: Shakespeare and modernity: the ‘modern Shakespeare industry’	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	Measure for Measure and modern critical approaches to Shakespeare: New Historicism	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Measure for Measure, modern theatre, and gender politics	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	A Midsummer Night’s Dream, presentism, and presentist spiritualities – ‘re-enchanting’ Shakespeare	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	A Midsummer Night’s Dream in modern Australia	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Hamlet, identity, individualism and the modern subject	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Bell Shakespeare Talk + Screening Hamlet:psychology, politics and postmodern aesthetics	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Adaptation, appropriation, allusion, translation, interpretation, collision... modern Shakespeares, mythical modern Shakespeare	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Modernity, modern history and Merchant: What is Shakespeare's text today?	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	The Merchant of Venice and modern humanism	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Much Ado About Nothing and modern-language Shakespeares	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Much Ado About Nothing in the modern cinema	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	Shakespeare and future ‘modernities’	Tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library. The recommended edition to use for any Shakespeare play in this unit is the Oxford Scholarly Edition (bibliographic information below). The Arden Shakespeare, Norton Shakespeare, and Cambridge Shakespeare are all good alternatives, and are all available through the library as well. Each edition can be easily sourced as hardcopies via Amazon, Book Depository or similar, if you’d prefer.

Shakespeare, William, et al. Hamlet in The New Oxford Shakespeare: Modern Critical Edition. Ed. Taylor, Gary, et al. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2016
Shakespeare, William, et al. Measure for Measure in The New Oxford Shakespeare: Modern Critical Edition. Ed. Taylor, Gary, et al. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2016
Shakespeare, William, et al. The Merchant of Venice in The New Oxford Shakespeare: Modern Critical Edition. Ed. Taylor, Gary, et al. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2016
Shakespeare, William, et al. A Midsummer Night Dream in The New Oxford Shakespeare: Modern Critical Edition. Ed. Taylor, Gary, et al. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2016
Shakespeare, William, et al. Much Ado About Nothing in The New Oxford Shakespeare: Modern Critical Edition. Ed. Taylor, Gary, et al. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2016

All other readings will be available via the library and can be found on the relevent weekly module page on canvas.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. develop an advanced understanding of twentieth and twenty-first century literary theory
LO2. hone a sophisticated understanding of Shakespeare's comedies and tragedies and their place in twentieth and twenty-first century culture
LO3. understand modernism and modernity in literature and their ability to recognise, evaluate and critique these characteristics
LO4. read, evaluate and utilise primary and secondary resources
LO5. strengthen critical and creative thinking and analytical skills
LO6. advance oral and written communication skills and develop an advanced ability to communicate with confidence and clarity
LO7. expand your knowledge of cultural difference and ability to recognise, respect and collaborate across cultural boundaries.
LO8. develop interdisciplinary thinking and digital literacy

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

ENGL6982: Shakespeare and Modernity

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal evening] - Remote

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect