Shakespeare wrote two tetralogies about the period of English history beginning with the closing years of the reign of Richard II, who was deposed and probably murdered in 1399, and the Battle of Bosworth in 1485, which initiated the Tudor dynasty. The first tetralogy in order of composition, Henry VI Parts One, Two and Three and Richard III, deals with the saintly but ineffectual Henry VI, who became King in infancy and was no match for the villainous Richard III, whose other victims were the 'Princes in the Tower'. This interpretation of events was naturally favoured by the Tudors but has since been challenged. But it produces exciting drama, in which virtue does not necessarily lead to political success.
Shakespeare’s Histories
This is an In-person course which requires your attendance to the weekly meetings which take place in Oxford.
Overview
Programme details
Course starts: 1 October 2024
Week 1: Introduction - Richard II
Week 2: Richard II
Week 3: Richard II
Week 4: Henry IV Part One
Week 5: Henry IV Part Two
Week 6: Henry V
Week 7: Henry V
Week 8: Richard III
Week 9: Richard III
Week 10: Richard III
Concluding discussion.
Recommended reading
All weekly class students may become borrowing members of the Rewley House Continuing Education Library for the duration of their course. Prospective students whose courses have not yet started are welcome to use the Library for reference. More information can be found on the Library website.
There is a Guide for Weekly Class students which will give you further information.
Availability of titles on the reading list (below) can be checked on SOLO, the library catalogue.
Preparatory reading:
- This is Shakespeare / Smith, Emma
Digital Certification
To complete the course and receive a certificate, you will be required to attend at least 80% of the classes on the course and pass your final assignment. Upon successful completion, you will receive a link to download a University of Oxford digital certificate. Information on how to access this digital certificate will be emailed to you after the end of the course. The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course you attended. You will be able to download your certificate or share it on social media if you choose to do so.
Fees
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Course Fee | £285.00 |
| Take this course for CATS points | £30.00 |
Funding
If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:
Tutor
Dr Priscilla Martin
Priscilla Martin teaches English Literatue and Classics. Her publications include books on Chaucer, Langland, Shakespeare, Iris Murdoch, articles on the Gawain-poet, Tyndale and twentieth-century novelists; and a novel.
Course aims
To read the prescribed plays closely and consider their dramatic, cultural and historic contexts.
Course objectives:
To deepen knowledge and appreciation of Shakespeare's work and to sharpen skills in reading, discussing and writing about literature.
Teaching methods
The classes will consist of introductions to the material by the tutor followed by group discussions. Student participation is welcomed and encouraged.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course students will be expected to have a detailed knowledge of the prescribed history plays and their contexts. They will also have practised thier skills in reading and discussing drama. Those who choose to produce written work will find that it deepens their understanding of the plays and sharpens their critical skills.
Assessment methods
Assessment will be based on written work. Its content, style and claoty will be evaluated.
Coursework is an integral part of all weekly classes and everyone enrolled will be expected to do coursework in order to benefit fully from the course. Only those who have registered for credit will be awarded CATS points for completing work the required standard.
Students must submit a completed Declaration of Authorship form at the end of term when submitting your final piece of work. CATS points cannot be awarded without the aforementioned form - Declaration of Authorship form
Application
To earn credit (CATS points) for your course you will need to register and pay an additional £30 fee per course. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online.
Please use the 'Book' or 'Apply' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an Enrolment Form (Word) or Enrolment Form (Pdf)
Level and demands
The Department's Weekly Classes are taught at FHEQ Level 4, i.e. first year undergraduate level, and you will be expected to engage in a significant amount of private study in preparation for the classes. This may take the form, for instance, of reading and analysing set texts, responding to questions or tasks, or preparing work to present in class.
Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS)
To earn credit (CATS points) you will need to register and pay an additional £30 fee per course. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online. Students who register for CATS points will receive a Record of CATS points on successful completion of their course assessment.
Students who do not register for CATS points during the enrolment process can either register for CATS points prior to the start of their course or retrospectively from the January 1st after the current full academic year has been completed. If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee.