CQUniversity Unit Profile
LITR19056 Shakespeare Today
Shakespeare Today
All details in this unit profile for LITR19056 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
Corrections

Unit Profile Correction added on 30-10-23

Assessment Overview    

1. Written Assessment Weighting: 20%
2. Written Assessment Weighting: 50%
3. Written Assessment Weighting: 30%
 

1 Written Assessment
Assessment Title
ASSESSMENT 1 - FILM REVIEW
 
Task Description
 

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 1.5 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.

 

 
 
Assessment Due Date
Week 4 Friday (4 Aug 2023) 11:59 pm AEST
 
Return Date to Students
 
 
Weighting
20%
 
Assessment Criteria
 

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
 
 
Referencing Style
 Harvard (author-date) 
 
Submission
Online
 
Learning Outcomes Assessed
Analyse and appraise Shakespeare’s exploration of the human condition

 
Graduate Attributes
Communication
Problem Solving
Critical Thinking
Ethical practice


2 Written Assessment
Assessment Title

ASSESSMENT 2 - REFLECTIVE TASK
 
Task Description
 

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 alternative assessment designs.

Task description


Choose one of the following tasks:


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 Shakespearean 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.

3. Shakespeare today is as much a brand and industry as historical figure, and there are many ways to approach his works and the depictions of his life as found in media genres such as: memes, podcasts, comics, advertisements, short stories, novels, TV dramas, documentaries, sitcoms, skit shows, feature films, and of course the plays and poems. Choose a selection of texts and devise your own topic, reflecting on what Shakespeare means to you (and culture more broadly) while integrating some of the themes, issues, and quotations that his plays are famous for. Your piece should take the form of a reflective blog (2500 words) and may include images (screenshots, etc.) Use at least three (3) scholarly sources to support your ideas.
 
 
Assessment Due Date
Week 9 Friday (15 Sept 2023) 10:59 pm AEST
 
Return Date to Students
 
 
Weighting
50%
 
Assessment Criteria
 

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

 
 
Referencing Style
 Harvard (author-date) 
 
Submission
Online
 
Learning Outcomes Assessed
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.

 
Graduate Attributes
Communication
Problem Solving
Critical Thinking
Ethical practice

3 Written Assessment
Assessment Title

ASSESSMENT 3 - ESSAY
 
Task Description
 

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
 
 
Referring to the analysis and essay writing resources provided, write an essay on one (1) of the following topics. You should compare and contrast the films/plays alongside contemporary issues and how they impact on the reading of the film/play in your response.


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. 'All's Well That Ends Well or is it?' Explore the ways in which gender issues/roles are portrayed in two (2) of Shakespeare's plays and their filmic renderings that end in marriage. Consider if or why gender issues/roles are re-coded in the films.

3. ‘When the age is in, the wit is out’ (Much Ado About Nothing). Explore the ways in which at least two (2) of Shakespeare's plays and their filmic renderings deal with old age and mortality. Are these views still prevalent in today’s society?

4. 'Being ambitious was something to dislike or even fear, thus it was used with a negative connotation in the Elizabethan age.' With reference to at least two (2) of Shakespeare's plays and their filmic renderings, explore the significance of this view and how it compares with contemporary views of ambition and power.

5. Many of Shakespeare's plays have meta-theatrical aspects: play within a play, theatrical references, etc. Is this simply a case of the Bard following the timeless advice to "write about what you know" or is there some deeper philosophical significance to the blurring of art and life. Discuss using a relevant selection of excerpts from Shakespeare's texts.

6. Students may consult with the lecturer to create your own essay topic in relation to the Shakespearean films/plays studied in this unit, and discuss with reference to your two selected plays and filmic renderings. Please email the unit coordinator for approval of your topic. Topics must be approved at least one week before the due date for this option.


The essay must include in-depth analyses of your chosen films/plays as well as references to a range of scholarly sources (minimum of 4). You should compare and contrast the plays and the films in your response.
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 1.5 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.
 
 
Assessment Due Date
Week 12 Friday (6 Oct 2023) 11:59 pm AEST
 
Return Date to Students
 
 
Weighting
30%
 
Assessment Criteria
 

The assignment will be evaluated on your ability to:


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
 
 
Referencing Style
 Harvard (author-date) 
 
Submission
Online
 
Learning Outcomes Assessed
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.

 
Graduate Attributes
Communication
Problem Solving
Critical Thinking
Ethical practice

 

General Information
Class and Assessment Overview
Previous Student Feedback
Unit Learning Outcomes
Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
Textbooks and Resources
Referencing Style
Teaching Contacts
Schedule
Assessment Tasks
Academic Integrity Statement