Shakespeare in Performance
Departments: English and Comparative Literature
Professors: Patricia Denison
I don't know how exactly this happened, but I wandered into this class on the first day as a first-year without any concept of the fact that the class would be populated almost exclusively by seniors.
Professor Denison warmly invited me to sit in on that first class, and told me at the end that I could stay.
Now, as a junior, I realize what a gesture that was. The difference in competence between a first-year and a senior's writing in an English class is huge, but Professor Denison gave me a chance to prove myself in a setting that was fun and interesting, albeit a bit loose in its organization.
I earned a B+ at the end of the semester, and Professor Denison announced to the class while we sat in her apartment that I was the only first year there.
For me, Prof. Denison embodies the warmth, encouragement, and attention to individuals that Barnard is all about. Along with a couple of other phenomenal English teachers, Professor Denison seduced me into and English major with a theater concentration, and has proven herself to be a thoughtful, helpful and caring advisor.
I agree that if you appreciate a dry and empirical experience, the class is not for you. However, if you can adapt to the conversational and elegant way that Prof. Denison shows her love for Shakespeare's work, she will not only enchant you, but will remember your face as well as your work long after the class is over.
Weekly assignment to watch a performance, short midterm paper analyzing a passage from a Shakespeare play and a thesis on a character an a theme in various performance settings.
Although Denison is one of the nicest professors (quite frankly she is always smiling) and did have us over to her gorgeous apartment for our last session, the class was a disappointment. Denison did attempt to keep the energetic class discussions on track, but her overwhelming politeness seemed to hold her back. Without fail, after starting class fifteen minutes or more late the discussion would turn towards the tedious and trifle. She includes some great films, but the list of plays is almost completely tragedies. Though we handed in weekly response papers and a draft (with few helpful comments and a lot of underlining), she was shockingly harsh on our final papers. What's more disappointing then the mediocre grades is that I learned virtually nothing in this class.
Very light for a 4 point class. 1 page weekly responses. About 1 play and 1 film a week. 10 page final paper.
Directory Data
| Dept/Subj | Directory Course | Professor | Year | Semester | Time | Section |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGB / ENTH | ENGB ENTH BC3136: Shakespeare in Performance | Patricia Denison | 2010 | Fall | W / 11:00-12:50 PM | 1 |
| ENGB / ENTH | ENGB ENTH BC3136: Shakespeare in Performance | Patricia Denison | 2009 | Spring | W / 2:10- 4:00 PM | 1 |


Gold
Silver