Masterpieces of World Literature:

The Drama: From the Ancient to the Modern

Course Information
Course Number/Section LIT 2331.501
Course Title Masterpieces of World Literature
Term Fall 2010
Days and Times T 7:00 – 9:45 pm in MSET 2.202
Instructor Contact Information
Instructor Cindy Renker
Email Address cindy.renker@utdallas.edu
Office Phone 972-883-2250
Office Location JO 5.510
Office Hours T 6-7 pm and by appointment

“All the world's a stage, and the people in it, merely players.” –William Shakespeare.

Course Description

This course will serve as an introduction to the drama. It traces the development of the genre in
Western literary tradition from the ancient Greek to the modern day. The course will provide an
overview and history of the genre. Central to the course will be the development of an
understanding of the unique principles of the dramatic form. In our discussion of a variety of
plays from different periods and countries, we will examine the literary, political, and social
contexts of each play, the audience, the authorial intent, and its reception then and now.
Emphasis will be placed throughout on close-reading of the texts and on the drama as a theatrical
experience. In short, we shall study not only some of the finest plays of world literature, but also
the traditions and conditions which produced them, along with how they were presented, how
they relate to their socio-historic contexts and how they still communicate to us today.
I will screen excerpts from videos of famous stage productions as part of the course.

Students Learning Objectives

1. Develop reading skills necessary to approach, analyze, and interpret drama and secondary
texts from a variety of periods and cultures
2. Ability to form verbal and written questions and arguments about drama
3. Learn about the history, origins, theory, and literary terms of drama
4. Demonstrate the ability to lead class discussions
5. Develop research and writing skills

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Required Textbooks and Materials

The Norton Anthology of Drama, Vol. 1&2 (2009)

(ISBN-10: 0393974707, ISBN-13: 978-0393974706)

Occasionally I will hand-out short supplementary readings which you will be expected to read
for the next class session.

Recommended Course Materials

MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 7th ed. (2009)

(ISBN-10: 1603290249 ISBN-13: 978-1603290241)

Your textbook’s publisher offers a variety of free tutorials such as review materials (short history
of the drama, glossary of dramatic terms, and comprehension quizzes) and writing about drama
(eBook) on the following website:
http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/nadrama/welcome.aspx

Course Requirements/Evaluation Criteria

Attendance and Participation

This course is NOT a conference or correspondence course. Attendance in class is

REQUIRED, not optional. It is important that you do not miss out on what we cover in class.

Repeated unexcused absences and tardiness will affect your grade significantly. Being
repeatedly late or leaving class before the end of the period will also lower your grade. You are
expected to consult with me whenever an absence is necessary, or for unexpected absences, you
are required to contact me immediately. Attending class is important. When you do not attend,
you miss the lectures, class discussions, and presentations. Reading the assigned material alone
will not be sufficient to pass this course. Every absence will put you in a catch-up situation, and
that will affect your performance in class and your overall grade. Therefore, please attend class
regularly and be on time! Also, always bring your textbook to class!
Besides being in class, you are required to actively participate. Class discussion is an important
part of learning. Not participating or only passively attending class will lower your participation
grade. Consistent and constructive participation is expected from all students.
Cellphones and laptops are not permitted in class. Please have both turned off when class starts.

Reading Assignments
We will be reading a total of seven plays. You are expected to read the assigned pages from your
textbook (I recommend you read ahead as much as you can since some weeks carry a heavier
reading load than others) and occasional handouts for each class period. I expect you to come to
class to discuss the assigned material, so read and study carefully, not merely scanning the pages
but trying to comprehend what you are reading. Do not focus so much on facts and details but

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rather on larger issues and themes. Your readings will serve as a foundation for class lectures and
discussions. Enjoy reading these plays and consider them a break from your other homework.
Response Papers
You will write a total of seven response papers, one for each play. Response papers have to be
one page long, typed, double-spaced, a font of 12, 1” margins all around. No late papers or
make-ups accepted!
You will bring two copies to class with you. One copy will be turned in to me at the beginning
of class. The other will remain with you for reference and note-taking during class discussions.
The question(s) you raise in your paper should be open-ended and not single-sentence questions.
Let authorial intent (not the real person author) guide you in raising critical question(s) about
larger issues and themes. The questions of authorial intent raised in your papers will help you
focus your thinking and help you participate in class discussions. I will provide you with
examples on the first day of class.

Leading of Class Discussion

With the help of the question(s) raised in your response papers, each student will lead about 15
minutes of class discussion for one of the plays during the semester.
I will pass around a sign-up list on the first day of class.
Students will need to bring a copy of their response paper for each student in the class on the day
they lead the discussion.

Analytical Essay

One of your essays will be a short analytical essay – a minimum of 500 words and a maximum
of 750 words – typed, double-spaced, a font of 12, 1” margins all around. It should be a polished,
not a first draft. I will provide you with a hand-out of essay topics from which you will choose
one.
An analytical essay is not a research paper. You will demonstrate your own thinking and not rely
on other sources. You may, however, quote from the plays themselves (see MLA guidelines).
You should make a claim about authorial intent as practiced in your response papers. Remember
that to interpret is to have an argument.
The essay is due at the beginning of class and will be considered late after that. Turning your
essay in late will reduce your grade significantly. You will also have to upload your paper on
www.turnitin.com. If you have not yet created an account, you will have to do so. I will provide
you with the class ID and password for enrollment in this class some time before the paper is
due. You have to submit the paper to turnitin by 7 pm on the day it is due. The website will not
accept any late submissions.

Research Paper

At the end of the semester you will write a minimum of 5-7 page research paper. Again, it has to
be typed, double-spaced, a font of 12, 1” margins all around. Review your readings, notes, and
response papers and look for larger issues or ideas you would like to investigate or questions you
hope to answer (a typed proposal of your topic, including your thesis and main arguments, is due
on the 16th of Nov. at the beginning of class). Make an argument (thesis) and find support for it
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in primary and secondary sources (no online sources are permitted). You will use 6-8 sources to
support your argument (see MLA Handbook).
Your paper should have gone through several revisions. I will not accept first drafts.
On Nov., 23rd at 7 pm (sharp) a McDermott librarian will teach the students in this course how
to use the library’s resources for successful and rewarding research for your final paper. This will
not only be helpful for this class but for any future research you may conduct. Attendance for
this session is mandatory. Roll will be taken.
You will need to turn in your final paper on Dec., 7 th by 7 pm. Failing to turn it in after this time
will significantly reduce your grade. Drop your paper off at my office (JO 5.510) on time or if
you prefer to turn it in earlier, slide it under the door. Please include a SASE if you would like
me to mail your graded paper back to you.
You will also have to upload your paper on www.turnitin.com. If you have not yet created an
account, you will have to do so. I will provide you with the class ID and password for enrollment
in this class some time before the paper is due. You have to submit the paper to turnitin by 7 pm
on the day it is due. The website will not accept any late submissions.

Grading

Attendance/Participation 20%
Response Papers 25%
Leading Class Discussion 10%
Analytical Essay 15%
Research Paper 30%

The key to success: read the assigned material before coming to class, take thorough notes
during class lectures, and actively participate in class discussions. Turn in your assignments and
paper on time!
Participation and attendance play a significant part in your total grade. I will also take into
consideration whether your grades have consistently improved or gone down over the span of the
semester. If you have questions about your performance during the course or about your final
grade, please come see me.
Your syllabus is a valuable resource. Become familiar with it.
Feel free to come to me if you have any questions or concerns about the class or your
performance.

Class Schedule

Aug 24 Introduction

Aug 31 Oedipus the King by Sophocles (139-158)

Sep 7 Oedipus the King by Sophocles (158-185)

Response Paper #1 due!

Sep 14 Hamlet by Shakespeare (717-770)

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Sep 21 Hamlet by Shakespeare (770-829)
Response Paper #2 due!

Sep 28 Tartuffe by Molière (1233-1262)

Response Paper #3 due!

Oct 5 Tartuffe by Molière (1262-1290)

Analytical Essay due!

Oct 12 Faust I by Goethe (1697-1762)

Oct 19 Faust I by Goethe (1762-1812)

Response Paper #4 due!

Oct 26 Woyzeck by Büchner (89-109)

Response Paper #5 due!

Nov 2 The Good Person of Szechwan by Brecht (579-629)

Nov 9 The Good Person of Szechwan by Brecht (620-651)

Response Paper #6 due!

Nov 16 Death of a Salesman by A. Miller (753-789)

Research Paper Proposal due!

Nov 23 Library Session (meet in the lobby of the McDermott Library at 7 pm sharp!)

Nov 30 Death of a Salesman by A. Miller (789-824)

Response Paper #7 due!

Dec 7 Research Paper due by 7 pm in JO 5.510!

The class schedule is tentative. I will make changes in objectives, assignments, and due dates for
this course if necessary.

Academic Integrity

The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility and academic honesty.
Because the value of an academic degree depends upon the absolute integrity of the work done
by the student for that degree, it is imperative that a student demonstrate a high standard of
individual honor in his or her scholastic work.

Scholastic Dishonesty: Any student who commits an act of scholastic dishonesty is subject to
discipline. Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, collusion,
submitting for credit any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another

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person, taking an examination for another person, or any act designed to give unfair advantage to
a student or the attempt to commit such acts.

Plagiarism, especially from the web, from portions of papers for other classes, and from any
other source, is unacceptable and will be dealt with under the university’s policy on plagiarism
(see general catalog for details). This course will use the resources of turnitin.com, which
searches the web for possible plagiarism and is over 90% effective.

I encourage you to review these and other university policies on your own. Please visit
http://go.utdallas.edu/syllabus-policies. Feel free to ask if you have any questions or concerns
regarding any of the university’s policies.

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