Studying Shakespeare: An Introduction



Overview

An introduction to Shakespeare's work at the various stages of his career, including examples of all the genres he used: comedies, tragedies, history plays and poems. We shall study and discuss the texts in detail and consider their literary, historical and cultural contexts.

Shakespeare was born into a century of enormous changes and conflicts: the Reformation, the secular and professional theatre replacing the religious drama of the medieval period, the predominance of printed literature and the increase in literacy. His plays were attended and enjoyed by all classes of the population and were even performed for Queen Elizabeth and King James I at court. 

They are still produced continually by amateur groups and repertory theatres all over the country and in the UK and abroad by, among others, the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company. His friend and fellow dramatist Ben Jonson wrote that 'he was not of an age but for all time' and so it has proved.

Programme details

Course starts Tuesday 30 September 2025

This is an in-person course which requires your attendance at the weekly meetings in Oxford on Tuesdays, 10:30am-12:30pm.

Week 1: Introduction Richard II

Week 2: Richard II

Week 3: Henry IV Part One and last scene of Henry IV Part Two

Week 4: Richard III

Week 5: The Merchant of Venice

Week 6: Hamlet

Week 7: Hamlet

Week 8: Measure for Measure

Week 9: King Lear

Week 10: King Lear and Sonnets

Certification

Academic credit

Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme (CATS Points)

Please note, students who do not register for assessment and accreditation during the enrolment process will not be able to do so after the course has begun. If you wish to gain credit from completing this course you must register to do so before the course starts.

Only those who have registered for assessment and accreditation will be awarded CATS points for completing work to the required standard. Please note that assignments are not graded but are marked either pass or fail.

Learn more about the Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme.

If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education at the Department you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee for assessment and accreditation.

Digital certificate of completion 

Students who are registered for assessment and accreditation and pass their final assignment will also be eligible for a digital Certificate of Completion. Information on how to access the 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 attended. You will be able to download the certificate and share it on social media if you choose to do so.

Fees

Description Costs
Course fee (with no assessment) £300.00
Assessment and Accreditation fee £60.00

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. See details of our concessionary fees for short courses.

Tutor

Dr Priscilla Martin

Priscilla Martin teaches English Literature 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 further knowledge and understanding of Shakespeare's work.

Course objectives

  • To study the prescribed texts in detail.
  • To increase awareness of their literary, historical and cultural contexts.
  • To practise discussion of literature in conversation and writing.

Teaching methods

The tutor will provide an introduction to the chosen topics for each meeting. Student participation will be welcome and encouraged. Class presentations always interest the group and can be credited for students who have registered for assessment and accreditation.   

Learning outcomes

  • Further knowledge and appreciation of Shakespeare's plays and poems.
  • Understanding of their literary, historical and cultural contexts.
  • Practice in discussing and writing about literature, especially drama and poetry.

Assessment methods

Only those students who have registered for assessment and accreditation, in advance of the course start date, can submit coursework/assignments for assessment.

Assessment

The summative assessment is an essay of 1500 words, details of which will be given in the first meeting of the course.

There is also a formative assessment of 500 words, to be submitted during the course. A class presentation with notes may substitute for the formative piece and will be interesting to the other members of the group.

Application

How to enrol

Please use the 'Book now' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an enrolment form.

How to register for accreditation and assessment

To be able to submit coursework and to earn credit (CATS points) for this course, if you wish to do so, you will need to register and pay an additional £60 fee. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online. 

Students who do not register for CATS points during the enrolment process will not be able to do so after the course has begun.

If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education at the Department you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee.

Level and demands

The Department's Weekly Classes are taught at FHEQ Level 4, ie 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.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support