ENGH 323: Studies in Shakespeare

ENGH 323-001: Shakespeare and Race
(Fall 2022)

12:00 PM to 01:15 PM TR

Horizon Hall 4010

Section Information for Fall 2022

This course will examine race and racialization in the plays and poems of William Shakespeare. Key areas of interrogation will include blood, religion, whiteness, blackface, class, gender, nation, and liberty. We will think about both the early modern context in which these works were written as well as the racial legacy of Shakespeare’s writing. We will continually ask why we read these texts today. And what can we learn about race by reading plays that were written over 400 years ago? In addition to analyzing plays such as Othello and The Merchant of Venice, students will be introduced to a variety of scholarship in the field of early modern critical race studies. Assignments may include two close reading papers, weekly reading quizzes, a performance reflection, and a scholarly article analysis.

Tags:

Course Information from the University Catalog

Credits: 3

Explores the works of English poet and playwright William Shakespeare. Studies select aspects of Shakespeare’s writing or critical issues surrounding it. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 9 credits.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Recommended Prerequisite: Satisfaction of University requirements 100-level English and in Mason Core literature.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

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