WiSe 20/21: HS-Constr.Difference:Liter.+Cult.Hist.: Shakespeare and Contemporary Theory
Sabine Schülting
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The seminar will focus on the dynamic dialogues between Shakespeare’s plays and critical theory of the new millennium. We will study the ways in which recent theoretical approaches (in the fields of Queer Theory, Critical Race Studies, Affect Studies, Disability Studies, Ecocriticism, New Economic Theory, Political Philosophy) shape and change our (re)readings of Shakespeare’s plays, and how they invite us to pay attention to details that hitherto may have been overlooked. We will also consider how Shakespeare’s works, in turn, have inspired these approaches and contributed to recent theoretical debates in the Humanities.
In order to ensure a focused discussion of these issues, we will concentrate on critical responses to Hamlet, King Lear, Merchant of Venice, Othello, and Richard III. Students should have read these plays by the beginning of the semester.
Please use good (i.e. scholarly) editions of the plays, such as The Norton Shakespeare, The New Cambridge Shakespeare or The Arden Shakespeare (3rd series).
Assessment: Students will have to participate regularly, read the assigned texts, take part in the discussions, and contribute a presentation and/or short response papers. The exam is an essay of c. 7500 words, to be submitted by the beginning of the new semester (12 April 2021). Exchange students (MA level) are of course welcome. You can gain up to 10 ECTS in this course.
The course will be taught primarily via WebEx video meetings (synchronously). Depending on the pandemic situation in the winter and the size of the group, we may meet occasionally on campus in small groups. These meetings won’t be mandatory and they will take place during the regular time slot of our course. Details on the organization of the course as well as a link for the WebEx meetings will be posted on Blackboard in the last week of October.
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Regular appointments