Module: Shakespeare's World

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Shakespeare's World
Module Code	LIT1023 (ITS: EL201)
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	English
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module will introduce students to one of the great periods in the history of English literature (c. 1580s-1600s) through a selection of works by William Shakespeare. The course will explore some of the comedies, tragedies, and history plays of Shakespeare. Contemporary stage and filmic adaptations of some of the plays will also be studied, and issues in relation to genre, language and critical approaches will be explored and problematised.

Learning Outcomes

1. 1DDFDE18-F634-0001-50AB-5FC0BAB0B3A0
2. Describe how Shakespeare innovated conventions of language and genre.
5. 1
6. 1DDFDE18-F89C-0001-D252-1330ADC0B810
7. Articulate an awareness of selected critical approaches to Shakespeare’s writing.
10. 2
11. 1DDFDE18-FBC6-0001-84A8-1520D4801DC0
12. Recognise links between text and performance.
15. 3
16. 1DDFDE18-FD51-0001-AFC8-15D31EE0182A
17. Communicate a critical response to stage and/or film production of some of the prescribed plays.
20. 4
21. 1E263046-74C3-0001-98D5-19D01942C910
22. Demonstrate an understanding of the conventions and preoccupations of Shakespearean drama.
24. 20,7,6,19,11,9,10
25. 5

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	22	Lectures (and seminars)
Independent Study	103	Independent Learning
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	10939	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	60%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Kit Fryatt	Module Teacher	Gearoid O'Flaherty, Paula Murphy

Section Breakdown
CRN	12027	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Kit Fryatt	Module Teacher	Gearoid O'Flaherty, Paula Murphy

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Essay	Essay	40%	n/a
Formal Examination	Exam	60%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Shakespeare, Hamlet

Shakespeare, Twelfth Night

Shakespeare Henry IV Part One

Shakespeare, Julius Caesar

Shakespeare, The Tempest

Critical Approaches to Shakespeare

Shakespeare, Language and Genre

Shakespeare in Performance on Stage/Screen

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Pascale Aebischer: 2010, Jacobean Drama: A Readerâ€™s Guide to Essential Criticism, Palgrave Macmillan, London and New York,
A.R. Braunmuller and Michael Hattaway (eds.): 2003, The Cambridge Companion to English Renaissance Drama, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge,
Lisa Hopkins and Matthew Steggle: 2006, Renaissance Literature and Culture, Introductions to British Literature and Culture series, Continuum, London,
Russell Jackson (ed.): 2007, The Cambridge Companion to Shakespeare on Film, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None