English 117E Shakespeare
Autumn 1998
TA - Melissa Stevenson
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Section Times and Places - The Scene: Office Hours - Backstage:
Monday 3:00-3:50 Girvetz 2124 Wednesdays 10:00 - 11:00
Monday 4:00-4:50 Girvetz 2115 And by appointment
Wednesday 9:00-9:50 Building 387 Room 104 Office: South Hall 2432Q

Getting in Touch - “Wherefore Art Thou?” (Romeo and Juliet 2.2):
E-mail (most efficient): 6500mcs1@ucsbuxa.ucsb.edu
Telephone (10am-10pm only): 968-9576
Other messages: My box in South Hall 2623

Section - “I Do Desire We May Be Better Strangers” (As You Like It 3.2):
Section is your chance to hear and be heard by your peers and to share your excitement, disgust, joy, confusion, or elation regarding Shakespeare. I anticipate that the focus of this section will be discussion and not lecture so its quality depends upon your willingness to participate. As such come prepared to class with the text read and questions or comments ready. In addition, I may occasionally assign very short writing exercises designed to facilitate discussion and take up very little of your time (less that 30 minutes). Be sure to bring your text every week. Even if you have not finished the play please come to section prepared to listen to the views and ideas of your classmates. Attendance is mandatory and more than two absences may result in your being dropped from the class. The quality and quantity of your participation will also be reflected in your final grade.

Performance - “The Play’s The Thing” (Hamlet 2.2):
In the interest of reminding ourselves that we are dealing with plays, groups of students will be assigned to present a scene (or part of a scene) of their own choosing to the class each week. The scene may be simply read, or, for those with a flash of the dramatic, acted out with props and costumes. In addition to the performance the group will be expected to explain their choice of scene to the class as a jumping off point for our discussion.

The Internet and Films - “O, Brave New World!” (The Tempest 5.1):
I hope to create an e-mail alias for the class so that discussion can continue outside of section. I will also be using this mailing group to disseminate any new information or changes regarding section or office hours. Participation in this format will be considered class participation.

In addition, I and several of the other TAs anticipate setting up optional evenings to view recent films of the plays that we will be reading in class.

Papers - “Books Be Then The Eloquence ... Of My Speaking Breast” (Sonnet 23):
As your papers come due I will hand out a set of guidelines regarding paper structure and due dates. I will also add additional office hours at this time.

Final Word - “We Few, We Happy Few, We Band Of Brothers” (Henry V 4.3):
Welcome. I hope that you enjoy this class and that we can work together to make it a positive learning experience for all of us. Feel free to contact me (as above) if you have any questions, comments, or concerns about the plays we are reading, your papers, or section in general.

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“I shall th'effect of this good lesson keep / As watchman to my heart.”
Hamlet 1.3