This course offers an introduction to some of Shakespeare’s greatest and most popular works, with no prior experience expected or required. We will read nine plays over the course of the semester, including comedies such as Much Ado about Nothing and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, tragedies such as Hamlet and King Lear, histories including Henry V, and romances such as The Tempest and A Winter’s Tale. Our coursework will cultivate critical skills in reading and writing about language, literary form, and historical context. We will also explore how Shakespeare’s plays can be performed through an in-class performance assignment. In the final weeks of our class, we will discuss research methods while developing original research papers. Additional requirements include a midterm exam, attendance, and participation in discussion.