Instr:                  Professor Gwynne Kennedy
Office:                CRT 423,   229-4637
e-mail:                gkennedy@uwm.edu
Office hours:      by appointment
 

Course Information:               MW  9:30-10:45, CRT 286
 

Course Description

This course offers a general introduction to early modern English drama. We will cover a number of dramatic genres popular on the late 16th and early 17th century stage: history (Edward the Second, Titus Andronicus, The Tragedie of Mariam), city comedy (The Alchemist, The Dutch Courtesan, The Roaring Girl), romance (The Tempest), revenge plays (The Revenge of Bussy D'Ambois, The Spanish Tragedy), topical plays (The Witch of Edmonton), and tragedy (The Duchess of Malfi, ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore). In addition, the course will familiarize students with important critical issues in early modern literary and cultural studies. Much recent work about subjectivity, sexuality, race, gender, and class has been produced by scholars working on plays of this period. In addition to some critical material, there will also be supplementary readings that situate the plays in their historical and cultural contexts.

Student Work
As this is a seminar, students should be prepared to participate in class discussions at each meeting. There are several types of writing assignments (with revisions): 2-3 paper abstracts (500 words), 2 summaries of critical articles (3-4 pages each), and a longer paper (10-12 pages) which may grow out of earlier work. Students may also be asked to prepare questions for class or similar short assignments.

This course fulfills the pre-1900 requirement for English majors.