Overview
In this Unit, you will investigate Shakespeare’s insights on what it is to be human by analysing a selection of contemporary versions of his works. You will also investigate a range of issues relevant to the contemporary study of Shakespeare. The Unit is suitable for those with no prior knowledge of Shakespeare and for those studying to be English teachers.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
18 credit points
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2021
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student feedback
Students indicated a need for updated lecture material that covered the most recent films.
Lectures to be updated as part of the CQU Refresh project for 2021.
Feedback from Student feedback Self reflection
Some students indicated a wish for more Zoom sessions but there were a limited number of students who attended the sessions that were made available.
Ensure Zoom session times are listed clearly at the start of the unit, and the content is useful and informative to increase engagement. As this is a fully online unit, make the lectures and resources more engaging.
- Analyse and appraise Shakespeare’s exploration of the human condition
- Articulate ways in which contemporary critical practices have shaped our interpretations of Shakespeare’s works.
Nil
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 20% | ||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 30% | ||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 50% | ||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||
| 5 - Team Work | ||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||
| 10 - First Nations Knowledges | ||
| 11 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 20% | |||||||||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 30% | |||||||||||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 50% | |||||||||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
Additional Textbook Information
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
l.dodd@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 12 Jul 2021Module/Topic
Introduction
Shakespeare in Love
Chapter
Read: Study Guide Wk1: Introduction
Watch: Shakespeare in Love
Events and Submissions/Topic
Meet & Greet Zoom session and queries (check the Virtual Classes tile for time and link).
Do: Topic section 1: Introduction
Week 2
Begin Date: 19 Jul 2021Module/Topic
Romeo and Juliet
Film Techniques
Chapter
Read: Study Guide Wk2: Film Techniques
Watch: Romeo + Juliet
Events and Submissions/Topic
Do: Topic section 2: Romeo and Juliet
Week 3
Begin Date: 26 Jul 2021Module/Topic
Film/Play 1
Film Analysis
Chapter
Read: Study Guide Wk3: Film Analysis
Watch: Choose a film from the Text List
for Assessment 1 (Film/Play 1)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom Drop In - Assessment 1 queries (check the Virtual Classes tile for time and link).
Do: Topic section: Film/Play 1
Begin film analysis for Film Review - Assessment 1
Week 4
Begin Date: 02 Aug 2021Module/Topic
Film/Play 1
Film Review
Chapter
Read: Study Guide Wk4: Writing a Film Review
Events and Submissions/Topic
Do: Topic section: Film/Play 1 cont'
Complete your Film Review and check that it meets
the Assessment Criteria before submission.
ASSESSMENT 1 - FILM REVIEW Due: Week 4 Friday (6 Aug 2021) 11:55 pm AEST
Week 5
Begin Date: 09 Aug 2021Module/Topic
Literary Elements and Techniques
Chapter
Read: Study Guide Wk5: Literary Elements/Techniques
Watch: Choose a film from the Text List
Events and Submissions/Topic
Do: Study Guide Wk5 activities
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 16 Aug 2021Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 6
Begin Date: 23 Aug 2021Module/Topic
Directorial Elements and Techniques
Chapter
Read: Study Guide Wk6: Directorial Elements/Techniques
Watch: Choose a film from the Text List
Events and Submissions/Topic
Do: Study Guide Wk6 activities
Week 7
Begin Date: 30 Aug 2021Module/Topic
Reflective Writing
Chapter
Read: Study Guide Wk7: Reflective Writing
Watch: Choose a film from the Text List
Events and Submissions/Topic
Do: Study Guide Wk7 activities
Week 8
Begin Date: 06 Sep 2021Module/Topic
Film/play 2
Chapter
Read: Study Guide Wk8
Watch: Choose a film from the Text List
Then choose one film watched in Wk 5-8
for Assessment 2 (Film/play 2)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom Drop In - Assessment 2 queries (check the Virtual Classes tile for time and link).
Do: Topic section: Film/play 2
Begin Reflective Task - Assessment 2
Week 9
Begin Date: 13 Sep 2021Module/Topic
Film/play 2
Chapter
Read: Study Guide Wk 9
Events and Submissions/Topic
Do: Topic section: Film/play 2 cont'
Complete your Reflective Task and check that it
meets the Assessment Criteria before submission.
ASSESSMENT 2 - REFLECTIVE TASK Due: Week 9 Friday (17 Sept 2021) 11:55 pm AEST
Week 10
Begin Date: 20 Sep 2021Module/Topic
|
Film/play 3 |
Chapter
Read: Study Guide Wk 10
Watch: Choose a film from the Text List
for Assessment 3 (Film/play 3)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Do: Topic section: Film/play 3
Week 11
Begin Date: 27 Sep 2021Module/Topic
Film/play 4
Chapter
Read: Study Guide Wk 11
Watch: Choose another film from the Text List
for Assessment 3 (Film/play 4)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom Drop In - Assessment 3 queries (check the Virtual Classes tile for time and link).
Do: Topic section: Film/play 4
Begin Essay - Assessment 3
Week 12
Begin Date: 04 Oct 2021Module/Topic
|
Conclusion |
Chapter
Read: Study Guide Wk 12: Essay Writing
Events and Submissions/Topic
Do: Complete your Essay and check that it
meets the Assessment Criteria before submission.
ASSESSMENT 3 - ESSAY Due: Week 12 Friday (8 Oct 2021) 11:55 pm AEST
Review/Exam Week
Begin Date: 11 Oct 2021Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Exam Week
Begin Date: 18 Oct 2021Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Text List (films/plays) for this term:
You should try to watch as many of the below films as you can. You may be able rent or buy films for a small fee by searching on YouTube, iTunes, Amazon Prime Video, or streaming services eg. Netflix, Stan, etc.
For Learning Activities: Shakespeare in love (1998) (Dir. John Madden) and Romeo + Juliet (1996) (Dir. Baz Luhrmann)
Links to Plays: http://shakespeare.mit.edu/
For Assessments - minimum of four (4):
Much ado about nothing (1993) (Dir. Kenneth Branagh)
Othello (1995) (Dir. Oliver Parker)
Taming of the shrew (1967) (Dir. Franco Zaffirelli)
Macbeth (2015 (Dir. Justin Kurzel) or Macbeth (2006) (Dir. Geoffrey Wright, starring Sam Worthington)
Hamlet (1990) (Dir. Franco Zeffirelli, starring Mel Gibson) or Hamlet (1996) (Dir. Kenneth Branagh) or Hamlet (1948) (Dir. Laurence Olivier)
King Lear (1982) (Dir. Jonathan Miller):
The Tempest (2010) (Dir. Julie Taymor, starring Helen Mirren)
William Shakespeare's A midsummer night's dream (1999) (Dir. Michael Hoffman)
Henry V (1989) (Dir. Kenneth Branagh)
Richard III (1995) (Dir. Richard Loncraine)
1 Written Assessment
Word length: 1000 (+/- 10%)
You may select any one (1) film from the Text List for this assessment. Note: The film you select for this assessment cannot be those used for Assessments 2 or 3.
Writing and publishing film reviews can enhance your professional profile, and may be an item you could add to your professional portfolio.
Task Description
Referring to the Writing a Film Review resource below, write a film review that includes the following elements:
- Introduction: Include the name of the film, its release date, background information and your thesis (your opinion of the filmmaker's goal and whether they succeeded).
- Summary: A concise overview of the content/plot - do not just retell the story.
- Analysis of the film: Analyze the plot in terms of themes, context and messages.
- Creative elements: Describe how the filmic elements (eg. characters, dialogues, costumes, camera work, mise en scène, POV, use of colours, genre, tone, symbols, etc) aids in developing a deeper understanding and resonance of the film's themes.
- Opinion: Support your opinion of the film with scholarly evidence (1-2 sources) and examples from the film.
- Conclusion: Conclude with whether the filmmaker succeeded in his/her goal and make a recommendation to viewers.
You must acknowledge your evidence from the film and research in your review using in-text referencing, and include a reference list using the Harvard (Author-Date) style. Please refer to the guidelines and examples in the CQU Harvard Referencing Guides provided. Written submissions should be in 12 point font with double line spacing.
The word count allows for a variation of +/- 10%. It excludes the cover page and reference list. It includes in-text references and direct quotations.
Week 4 Friday (6 Aug 2021) 11:55 pm AEST
Week 6 Friday (27 Aug 2021)
This assessment task is assessed based on your ability to:
1. Identify and analyse of the film’s main themes, context and messages
2. Identify and analyse the film's main creative elements
3. Effectively use direct textual analysis (paraphrases, quotations and descriptions) and academic sources (1-2 scholarly sources) to support both opinion and analysis
4. Express yourself clearly and effectively, writing with correct grammar, spelling and punctuation
5. Appropriately acknowledge of all sources using the Harvard (author-date) referencing style
- Analyse and appraise Shakespeare’s exploration of the human condition
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Ethical practice
2 Written Assessment
Length: 2500 words (+/- 10%)
You may select any one (1) film from the Text List for this assessment. Note: The film you select for this assessment cannot be those used for Assessments 1 or 3.
This assessment will allow you to 'try out' some Shakespearean literary and/or filmic elements and techniques, then reflect critically about your experiences. Reflective writing is different to essay writing, so please ensure that you have read the resources provided to understand what is required of you. For arts and education students, you can both get creative and experience alternate assessment design.
Task description
1. Using the literary elements and techniques you have learned in the unit, write a contemporary adaptation of your chosen Shakespeare play/film as a short story, incorporating at least three markers of the original Shakespearian work (e.g. themes, messages, characterisation, setting, point of view, genre, tone, figurative language, symbols, etc). Accompany your adaptation with a reflective analysis of the specific Shakespearean literary elements and techniques that your story incorporates and an evaluation of whether your approach was successful in conveying these for a contemporary audience. If you choose this option, your story should be up to 1500 words and your reflection in the region of 1000 words, including at least three (3) scholarly sources supporting your choice of techniques.
2. Choose a scene from your chosen film that you believe could be improved with different directorial choices to convey the themes and messages more strongly to a contemporary audience. Using the directorial elements and film techniques you have learned in the unit, write a script for your new scene (or part thereof) incorporating at least three of your own directorial choices (eg. line changes, cuts or inclusions, stage directions, costumes, narrative style, camera work, mise en scene, etc). Accompany your script with a reflective analysis of the specific filmic elements and techniques that your script incorporates and an evaluation of whether your approach was successful in conveying the themes and messages as you intended. If you choose this option, your script should be up to 1500 words and your reflection in the region of 1000 words, including at least three (3) scholarly sources supporting your choice of techniques. (You may need to refer to the play to source character lines for your film script).
Note: You will be marked on the inclusion of appropriate literary and/or filmic elements and techniques and not the quality or format of your story/script.
Week 9 Friday (17 Sept 2021) 11:55 pm AEST
Week 11 Friday (1 Oct 2021)
This task will be assessed according to the extent to which it demonstrates:
1. Evidence of appropriate markers incorporated into the task (themes, messages, literary and/or filmic elements and techniques)
2. A coherent reflection with analysis and evaluation of the literary and/or filmic elements and techniques incorporated in the task.
3. Effective use of a range of academic sources to support the literary and/or filmic elements and techniques incorporated in the task (minimum of 3 credible scholarly sources)
4. Clear and effective expression, writing with correct grammar, spelling and punctuation
5. Appropriate acknowledgment all sources using the Harvard (author-date) referencing style
- Analyse and appraise Shakespeare’s exploration of the human condition
- Articulate ways in which contemporary critical practices have shaped our interpretations of Shakespeare’s works.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Ethical practice
3 Written Assessment
Length: 1500 words (+/- 10%)
You may select any two (2) films/plays from the Text List for this assessment. Note: The films/plays you select for this assessment cannot be those used for Assessments 1 or 2.
This assessment will allow you to pull together all the skills you have learned this term in exploring a topic of interest to you in relation to Shakespeare Today.
Task Description
1. ' The study of Shakespeare seems caught between the idea that his works transcend the cultural signs which date them, and the notion that these cultural signs are imprisoned in the context which produced them.’ Discuss with reference to at least two (2) of Shakespeare's plays and their filmic renderings.
2. 'In Shakespeare's plays, women are portrayed as unruly and uncontrollable or as beautiful and desirable'. Explore the the ways in which woman are portrayed in two (2) of Shakespeare's plays and their filmic renderings. Consider if/how women are re-coded in the films.
3. Many of Shakespeare's plays deal with the consequences of disruptions to the social order by naive, clumsy or malicious characters. Explore these consequences in the context of at least two (2) of Shakespeare's plays and their filmic renderings.
4. Henry IV says: 'Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown' (Henry IV, 3.1). With reference to at least two filmic renderings of Shakespeare's ‘royal’ plays studied, explore the significance of this view.
5. Students may consult with the lecturer to create your own essay topic in relation to the Shakespearian films/plays studied in this unit, and discuss with reference to your two selected plays and filmic renderings. Please email me at l.dodd@cqu.edu.au for approval of your topic. Topics must be approved at least one week before the due date for this option.
Please note that all references need to be academic (i.e. peer-reviewed journal articles and/or scholarly books), obtained using academic databases and/or library resources. Wiki and other non-scholarly references from the Internet will not be counted in the minimum requirement. You should acknowledge all sources using the Harvard (author-date) referencing style. Please refer to the guidelines and examples in the CQU Harvard Referencing Guides below. Written submissions should be in 12 point font with double line spacing.
The word count allows a +/- 10% variation and is considered from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion. It excludes the cover page and reference list. It includes in-text references and direct quotations.
Week 12 Friday (8 Oct 2021) 11:55 pm AEST
Exam Week Friday (22 Oct 2021)
1. Develop a convincing and coherent argument in response to the essay question
2. Analyse the chosen films/plays, supported by direct textual and film analysis (paraphrases, quotations and descriptions)
3. Effectively use of a range of academic sources (minimum of 4 scholarly sources) to support both argument and analysis
4. Express yourself clearly and effectively, writing with correct grammar, spelling and punctuation
5. Appropriately acknowledge of all sources using the Harvard (author-date) referencing style
- Analyse and appraise Shakespeare’s exploration of the human condition
- Articulate ways in which contemporary critical practices have shaped our interpretations of Shakespeare’s works.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Ethical practice
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
