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Theater in London 6 creditsJuly 16-August 12, 2016Contemporary British Drama undergraduate: ENGL?388.62 or THEA 397.47graduate: ENGL 780.51 or THC 710.56???? Shakespeare undergraduate: ENGL 352graduate: ENGL 715.68Professor Sylvia TomaschDepartment of EnglishHunter CollegeOffice: 1306 HWOffice phone: 212 772-4052Email: stomasch@hunter.cuny.eduLondon mobile: 075 5454 8661This four-week, six-credit program will explore the diversity of theatrical offerings in London and vicinity, providing a wide-ranging and historically rich understanding of British theater as it is practiced today in both traditional and experimental venues. This program provides students with multiple opportunities for experiencing world-class theater as we attend 12 performances of works ranging from Shakespeare and other early drama to classic and contemporary plays.Also included in the schedule are guided tours of the Globe and Royal Shakespeare Company theaters and meetings with actors, directors, producers, scholars, and critics in order to explore the often hidden mechanics of theatrical production. Also planned are a walking tour of Shakespeare’s London and a trip to his birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon, to take advantage of the RSC’s summer season and visit sites important in his life. New this year is a visit to Hampton Court Palace. Because 2016 is the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, we’ll be sure to take advantage of other opportunities as they arise. Most classes, performances, trips, talks, and tours will be scheduled Monday through Thursday, allowing time both for study and for exploration of London and beyond. Students will be housed in the PURE Student Living residence, centrally located between Clerkenwell and The City, close to tube stations and bus lines and near trendy Angel, Shoreditch, and Brick Lane. This location includes 24-hour security, wireless internet access, laundry facilities, kitchens, and common spaces. Classes will be held in a meeting room at PURE. Everyone will also gather for at least two group meals, a welcome dinner and a farewell get-together, at local London restaurants. RequirementsPunctual, positive, and well-prepared attendance and participation are expected at all class meetings, performances, tours, workshops, meals, and other group events. More than one unexcused absence will lower your grade; three absences may mean failing both courses. You are expected to come to class with relevant texts in hand, prepared to participate in a lively, informed, constructive, and intelligent manner. Supplementary materials, such as play reviews and video clips, will be posted on Blackboard. You are expected to check the site regularly, so it is your responsibility to make sure you have access to and can receive emails through Blackboard. (15%)Informal writing assignments include: 1) regular posts on the Blackboard Discussion Board Forum after every performance. 2) a response to your visit to either the British Library or the Museum of London, where you will find objects or exhibits associated with Shakespeare and his times. Each post should be 1-3 paragraphs in length. Approximately half of your responses should begin an original thread and half should respond to others’ posts. You may not wait until the very end of the program to post all at once; the point is to keep thinking about the plays and the issues as you go along. These posts, done regularly, will help tremendously in the formal writing assignments. (15%)Formal writing assignments include:1) four short reviews (3-4 pages each) to be completed during the London portion of the program and (with one possible exception) handed in at the start of the first class meeting of each week, beginning with Week Two: hard copy, one per week. Each will focus on one play of the previous week; one must be on a Shakespeare play. See due dates on syllabus. (10% each)2) a research essay, to be submitted in hard copy and standard format: MLA Style, stapled, printed in 12-point type with standard margins. Length is 10-12 pages for undergraduates, 12-15 pages for graduate students. (30%)N.B. Proper MLA format required. No late work will be accepted.Important Information Academic dishonesty. Hunter College regards acts of academic dishonesty (e.g., plagiarism, cheating on examinations, obtaining unfair advantage, and falsification of records and official documents) as serious offenses against the values of intellectual honesty. The College is committed to enforcing the CUNY Policy on Academic Integrity and will pursue cases of academic dishonesty according to the Hunter College Academic Integrity Procedure.Academic Accommodation. In compliance with the American Disability Act of 1990 (ADA) and with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Hunter College is committed to ensuring educational parity and accommodations for all students with documented disabilities and/or medical conditions.? It is recommended that all students with documented disabilities (emotional, medical, physical and/or learning) consult the Office of AccessABILITY located in Room 1124 East to secure necessary academic accommodations.? Required textsBelow are the major required texts to purchase or rent. You must read or view the texts before each class discussion. Be sure to see the schedule for other required materials (e.g., reviews, video clips, etc.), which will be posted throughout the program.Texts not yet available will likely be so in London after the plays’ openings. Samuel French’s Bookshop and Foyle’s are the two London bookstores most likely to have the scripts: ; and . In addition, individual theaters often sell the scripts of specific performances, so it’s worthwhile checking there as well. These scripts may differ from “classic” versions of the texts; in these cases, you’ll want the scripts whenever possible.Listed below are the suggested editions. You may use another edition, but remember that the responsibility for finding page numbers, etc., will be yours. About e-texts: while these may be cheaper and have the advantage of portability, often there are important downsides to them, including lack of pagination and editorial apparatus (e.g., introductions, glossaries, maps, chronologies, etc.) that make the reading process fuller and more accessible. In addition, you’ll want to bring your texts for possible consultation during the performances, which is often possible only with print. N.B.: In no case may you bring required materials to class or a theatre solely on your phone.Marcia L. Ferguson, A Short Guide to Writing about Theatre (Longman, 2008)*Bertolt Brecht, The Threepenny Opera (Student Editions), trans. John Willett and Ralph Mannheim (Bloomsbury Metheun Drama, 2005)Anton Chekhov, Young Chekhov: Platonov, Ivanov, The Seagull, trans. David Hare (Faber & Faber, 2015)Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields, The Play that Goes Wrong (Bloomsbury, 2015)*Federico Garcia Lorca, Yerma (Student Editions), trans. Gwynne Edwards (Bloomsbury Metheun Drama, 2013) George Orwell, 1984 (Signet, 1964). N.B.: this is a suggested edition of the novel, but others will do.William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Macbeth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and The Taming of the Shrew (N.B.: any scholarly edition of these play is acceptable, such as Norton, Folger, Bedford, Oxford, etc.)no script available: Unreachable*These are standard editions, with helpful apparatus; there also may be scripts of the current productions available in London.About theater in LondonPerformances of plays will be at the theaters listed on the schedule, along with the closest tube stations. For specific directions, check Transport for London (websites below). Most performances begin at 7:30 pm. Tours, workshops, etc. start at various times. All exceptions are noted in bold.Tickets to each performance or event will be distributed 15-20 minutes before curtain time at the theater if they haven’t been handed out in class. Make sure you allow sufficient travel time to reach the venue, find me, get your ticket, get seated, etc. At the theatre: dress and decorum for attending the theater (“theatre”) in London tend to be a bit more formal and less exuberant. So dress “up” slightly and clap politely (even enthusiastically), but don’t automatically scream or leap to your feet for a standing ovation. In addition, bring the text, whenever possible, as well as a small notebook to take notes during intermissions, etc.N.B. For important information about your stay in London, see the section at the end.ScheduleIn addition to the performances, other activities, such as class meetings and tours, are listed below. Some changes may occur as we go along, so be sure to check Blackboard regularly. As plays open, other required materials, such as reviews and video clips, will be added to the schedule and posted on Blackboard. The usual time for class meetings (at PURE City) is 9 am; the usual time for performances is 7:30 pm. Be aware of exceptions, as well as times for other events; these are noted in bold. N.B. Always carry pen and paper (preferably in your small notebook) to all events, including group meals, performances, tours, etc., for taking notes to use in our discussions and your postings, reviews and essay.WEEK ONESa7/16Arrive PURE7:00Welcome dinner: Little Bay Farringdon171 Farringdon Road Clerkenwell, London EC1R 3ALSuggestion: walk from PURESu7/17on your ownShakespeare/Tudor exhibits/artifacts at either: British Library: or Museum of London: : continue watching Unreachable website: M7/189 amClassDiscuss museum visitsPrepare for 1984Read: Ferguson, pp. 29-46 7:30Performance: 1984Playhouse TheatreTube: Embankment, Charing CrossTu7/199 amClassDiscuss 1984Reviews: Prepare for MacbethSupplementary materials (posted)Video excerpt: Shakespeare in Love (posted)Read: Ferguson, ch. 3W7/2010:15 amTours: Globe Theatre and Rose Theatre (Bankside), plus Elizabeth Dressing demonstration2:00Performance: Macbeth4:30?Post-performance Q&AGlobe TheatreTube: Blackfriars, Mansion, St. Paul’s, othersTh7/219 amClassDiscuss Globe/Rose visitDiscuss MacbethReviews: Prepare for Stratford visit, including HamletSa7/23Visit to Stratford-upon-Avon7:00 am Train to Stratford-upon-Avon Tube: Marylebone Station (change at Leamington Spa)10 am Hidden History and BirthplaceShakespeare’s Birthplace2:00check in: YHA Stratford-upon-AvonHemmingford House, Wellesbourne Rd.4:15Tour: From Page to Stage RSC The Other Place7:15Performance: HamletRoyal Shakespeare Company TheatreOvernightYHA Stratford-upon-AvonN.B.: Do not bring anything that you cannot carry around with you in a small backpack or shoulder bag. Breakfast is included on Sunday; linens are provided but no towels or toiletries (towels may be rented for a small fee).Su7/249-10 amBreakfast, then check outYHA11 amRSC Shakespeare’s Structure: Making a SceneRSC Swan Theatre6:46 Train to London Marylebone StationStation: Stratford-upon-Avon (change at Leamington Spa)WEEK TWOW7/279 amClassDiscuss Stratford visitDiscuss HamletReviews:Prepare for Unreachable[reminder: you should have been checking the website (above) every day until the performance]Review: Due: Review #17:30Performance: UnreachableRoyal Court TheatreTube: Sloan SquareTh7/289 amClassDiscuss UnreachableReviews: Prepare for A Midsummer Night’s Dream7:30Performance: Midsummer Globe TheatreTube: Blackfriars, Mansion, St. Paul’s, othersF7/299 amClass Discuss MidsummerReviews:Prepare for Yerma7:30Performance: YermaYoung VicTube: Waterloo, SouthwarkWEEK THREETu8/29 amClassDiscuss YermaReviews:Prepare for Platonov and IvanovDue: Review #26:00Pre-performance talk: The Taming of the Shrew7:30Performance: Taming Globe TheatreTube: Blackfriars, Mansion, St. Paul’s, others W8/311:45 amPerformance: Platonov4:00Performance: IvanovNational TheatreTube: Waterloo, Southwark, othersTh8/49 amClassDiscuss Taming Reviews:Discuss Platonov and IvanovReviews:Prepare for The SeagullRead: Ferguson, pp. 46-50, ch. 43:30Tour: National Theatre7:30Performance: SeagullNational TheatreTube: Waterloo, Southwark, othersWEEK FOURM8/89 amClassDiscuss SeagullReviews:Prepare for Hampton Court Palace visitPrepare for The Threepenny OperaDue: Review #37:30Performance: Threepenny OperaNational TheatreTube: Waterloo, Southwark, othersTu8/9Visit to Hampton Court Palace10:06train to Hampton CourtTube: Waterloo Station11tour of house, maze, and gardens4:43 or on your owntrain to London Waterloo Station Station: Hampton Court W8/109 amClassDiscuss Hampton Court Palace visitDiscuss Threepenny OperaReviews: Prepare for The Play that Goes Wrong12 onIndividual meetings about final paper7:30Performance: The Play that Goes WrongDuchess TheatreTube: Covent Garden, Temple, HolbornTh8/119 amClassDiscuss: The Play that Goes WrongReviews:Further discussion of final paperSumming upDue: Review #4 (or see below)1 pmFarewell lunch: Cote Brasserie57 White Cross Street, London EC1Y 8AASuggestion: walk from PUREF 8/12Depart PUREPOST-LONDONSu8/14by 5 pmDue: Review #4 (email only if not submitted on 8/11) Due: Final posts (only for Week Four)M8/29by 5 pmDue: Essay (hard copy) 1306 HWLondon InformationYour residence will be at PURE City, 15 Bastwick Street, London EC1: . For information about this residence, including what is provided in the way of linens, etc., see: . (You’ll likely need to bring your own hangers.) Tube: Barbican, Farringdon, Angel, Old Street.PURE City is located in Clerkenwell, one of the ancient parts of London, named for a parish clerk’s well that existed in the Middle Ages. Wikipedia has an informative page on the area: . And here’s an individual take, with very nice photos of places you might see daily: meetings will be held in the first floor Screening Room at PURE City, starting promptly at 9 and generally ending at 12, including a short break. Be sure to bring paper (small notebook) and pen (not just an electronic device) to every class session. Beverages, but not food, are allowed. Free internet access is available at PURE City. Be aware that, as at home and everywhere else, public wifi is not totally secure; you may want to bring your own ethernet cable for use in the residence. See the PURE website for further information.Electronic devices, like computers and phones, only need a UK plug adapter, but small appliances like hair dryers also require a current converter (110 US/230 UK). Even so, any US appliance with a heating element may be in danger of burning out as ordinary converters may not be sufficiently powerful.London’s a great walking city, but for other modes of getting around London check the official government site, Transport for London: . Most on-line sites have maps and links for directions.London public transportation is modern and efficient, but the train system (the “Tube” or “Underground”) does NOT ordinarily run 24 hours as it does in New York. Buses tend to be cheaper than the Tube and usually run after midnight, while the Tube stops at midnight during the week and 12:30 am on Fridays and Saturdays. (Extended tube hours may be in place on some lines this summer.) You should always check your return times before you go out at night or you might be stuck with a hefty taxi fare. (Taxis are much more expensive in London than in New York.) Double-decker buses come often and move quickly. About London public transportation: Cards are the equivalent of New York Metrocards and can be used on both the underground and buses. You can buy either an Unlimited Ride or a pay-as-you-go card to which you add money via your credit card. Helpfully, Oyster Cards may be purchased at the airport (both Gatwick and Heathrow) upon your arrival and then used to take the Tube right into the city (for a slight extra fee). Keep your card handy, as you need to present it when entering and departing the Tube. About Oyster cards: . US cell phones (“mobiles” in the UK) cannot simply be used outside the country without incurring massive roaming/data charges. Contact your carrier before leaving the US to be sure you’ll have adequate access at moderate cost. One option is to purchase a dedicated mobile, which can be done at any number of stores in London. (Some stores require that you have a UK or European bank account and purchase a plan for several months, but not all, so do your research before leaving home.) Another option is to adapt your US cell phone to the UK system by purchasing a SIM card (changing SIM cards is easier on some phones than others). In any case, be sure you understand the regulations of your carrier before leaving home.Staying in contact is vitally important when travelling abroad. We’ll exchange cell phone numbers and email addresses. In addition, everyone should submit one copy of the first page of your passport for me to hold throughout our program. You should, of course, keep a copy yourself, separate from your actual passport, as well as copies of your credit cards and another important information, such as medication prescriptions. (Think ahead: what would you need to know if anything got lost or stolen? This is not likely, but you want to be prepared.)Safety should always be a consideration, though in general London is safer than New York. PURE City has 24-hour security and is in a well-travelled part of the city (though quiet in the evenings and on weekends). Be as sensible as you are in New York (e.g., do not carry your passport on a daily basis, do not flash cash, try to walk in company at night, be aware of your surroundings, etc.).Currency: The UK uses British Pounds Sterling, for which you’ll need to exchange US dollars. I suggest buying some pounds at the airport in a Bureau de Change when you arrive; look for a “fee-free” exchange. In the UK, banks and agencies like American Express usually have better exchange rates than street kiosks, private exchanges, or train stations. (Exchange rates vary, so it’s worth comparing. At this writing $1 = ?.64, which means every time you spend a pound, you’re spending almost 1.5 dollars.) In general, you can withdraw cash in local currency from ATM machines, but be aware of extra charges you may incur from your home bank. Credit cards: You can use most credit/debit cards, but many add a hefty “foreign exchange” surcharge to the exchange rate (some American Express and Capital One cards do not). Not all US credit cards work abroad, as many still don’t have the required embedded chips nor are they “contactless.” As always, contact your credit card issuer and inquire. London summer weather can be quite changeable. Often, it will feel more like a New York spring than summer, and it’s not uncommon to have a month of truly beautiful days with somewhat coolish evenings (carrying a light sweater is always a good idea, especially for inside theaters). However, in the past few years European countries have had some severe heat waves, for which they are not prepared, having no tradition of air-conditioning. Also, rain is always a possibility anywhere in the UK, so it’s a good idea to carry a small, light travel umbrella.A final note: While you’re encouraged to explore London and even travel further – in fact, the schedule is devised to help you do just that – throughout your trip you are representing our class and Hunter College (and, for that matter, New York City and the US). You’re expected to act accordingly. ................
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