This programme, delivered by the Shakespeare Institute, offers an unrivalled opportunity for the study of Shakespeare at graduate level. It develops a critical but appreciative understanding of Shakespeare’s contribution to literary and theatrical history, and the place his works occupy in today’s cultural landscape.
The dynamism of Shakespeare studies owes much to the sheer diversity of critical, theatrical, and historical approaches. It offers sustained study in a variety of fields, drawing on the special interests of a dedicated team of Shakespeare scholars.
The programme has gained a strong reputation both in Britain and abroad. It has proved invaluable for students heading towards a variety of careers, and it provides a solid foundation for research at a higher level.
Programme content
You will study six modules:
Plays and Poems of Shakespeare
This module forms the core of the MA programme, and is taught over two terms. It explores the whole of the canon of Shakespeare's plays through student presentations and group discussion. It engages in the detailed examination of Shakespeare’s works, and enables you to develop critical thinking in the light of current criticism. Your presentation of your ideas leads to group discussion.
History of Performance
This module examines the relationship between Shakespeare's plays and the performances they have generated from his time to ours. It re-examines the performativity of the texts, explores their adaptation by directors and performers from the Restoration to the present and assesses the impact of different technologies of performance from Renaissance stages to contemporary film. The archives of the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Shakespeare Centre library provide the essential materials for the research component of this work.
Textual Studies in Shakespeare
What do we mean when we refer to ‘the text of Shakespeare’? This module investigates the production of the text in the theatre and in print, explores controversies surrounding the interpretation of this material, and introduces students to the techniques of editing. Topics include: the relationship between a modern edition of a play and the earliest printed texts, the nature of the printing process that first mad the plays available to readers of books, the characteristics of Shakespeare's dramatic composition, the treatment of the text in the theatre (including censorship, revision and adaptation), and Shakespeare as a collaborator. Plays studied include usually include: Hamlet, Troilus and Cressida, Sir Thomas More, Romeo and Juliet, Richard II, King Lear, Measure for Measure, The Merry Wives of Windsor, and Timon of Athens.
History of Shakespeare Criticism
Shakespeare criticism from Ben Jonson to the plethora of approaches available today has constantly sought to redefine Shakespeare and his significance to the reader. The module traces the main developments in Shakespeare criticism, in the context of the wider development of intellectual culture from the sixteenth century to the present.
Research Skills in Shakespeare
Classes introduce the research techniques applicable in the fields associated with Shakespeare studies, and explore the rich resources available through the University and in Stratford-upon-Avon. This knowledge is applied in a Bibliographical Essay, which prepares towards the Dissertation.
You will also complete a 12,000 word dissertation.
Weekly seminars
In addition to coursework, students attend the general Shakespeare Seminars| held once a week during term-time, at which Institute fellows and a range of visiting speakers present papers. There is opportunity to question the speaker after the paper has been delivered. Attendance is expected of all Institute members. Speakers have included Stanley Wells, Laurie Maguire, Edward Pechter, Clare McManus, M.J. Kidnie, Russ Macdonaold and Ann Thompson.
Visiting the Shakespeare Institute
We welcome prospective students to visit the Shakespeare Institute|. We usually arrange visits to coincide with two of our weekly Thursday seminar series a term which gives you a good opportunity to experience the Shakespeare Institute and to meet our staff and student.