Shakespeare for Future Teachers
This undergraduate course provides preservice teachers with a comprehensive study and critical analysis of the sonnets and plays of William Shakespeare that are commonly studied in secondary English classes. Through an exploration of his life, times, language, and literature, students will consider the ways in which Shakespeare’s contributions have influenced American life, both past and present. Future teachers will consider the current cultural relevance of Shakespeare’s works in light of modern movements such as #Metoo and Black Lives Matters and question its role in perpetuating the study of canonical literature. The course will include an exploration of texts that have been inspired by the original plot and characters in order to supplement the study of Shakespeare’s plays with materials that are contemporary and culturally relevant. At the completion of the semester, preservice teachers will be equipped with a variety of teaching strategies and resources to engage the minds and hearts of students in an intensive study of the universal themes that have contributed to the staying power of Shakespeare’s works in the secondary English curriculum.
