ECTS credits ECTS credits: 6
ECTS Hours Rules/Memories Student's work ECTS: 99 Hours of tutorials: 3 Expository Class: 24 Interactive Classroom: 24 Total: 150
Use languages Spanish, Galician, English
Type: Ordinary Degree Subject RD 1393/2007 - 822/2021
Departments: English and German Philology
Areas: English Philology
Center Faculty of Philology
Call: First Semester
Teaching: With teaching
Enrolment: Enrollable
This subject has as its general goal the study and critical analysis of English literature in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, as well as the abilities to speak and write on the texts from that period.
1. Historical, social and cultural context.
2. Introduction: English Renaissance literature
3. The prose of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries (analysis of a selection of texts).
4. William Shakespeare.
5. The History Plays. Richard III.
6. The Comedies. The Merchant of Venice.
7. The Tragedies. Macbeth.
8. The Pastoral Plays: The Tempest.
Basic bibliography:
Primary Sources (Obligatory reading):
William Shakespeare (Preferably Cambridge, but also Oxford or Penguin):
-Braunmuller, A.R. ed. Macbeth. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2008.
-Mahood, M. M. ed. The Merchant of Venice. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2003.
-Orgel, Stephen. ed. The Tempest. Oxford Shakespeare: Oxford University Press, 2008.
-Siemon, James R. ed. King Richard III. The Arden Shakespeare, 3rd series. London: Arden, 2009.
Secondary Sources (Recommended reading):
Biographies:
-Ackroyd, Peter. 2006. Shakespeare: the biography. London: Vintage Books
-Weir, Alison. 2008. The Life of Elizabeth I. New York: Ballantine Books.
Histories of English Literature:
-Alexander, Michael. A History of English Literature. London: Macmillan, 2000.
-Carter, Ronald and John McRae, The Routledge History of Literature in English.
Britain and Ireland. 2ª edición. London & New York: Routledge, 2006.
-Rogers, Pat. The Illustrated History of English Literature. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1987.
-Sanders, Andrew. The Short Oxford History of English Literature. Oxford: Oxford
University Press, 1994.
On Shakespeare’s Plays:
-Chernaik, Warren. The Cambridge Introduction to Shakespeare´s History Plays. Cambridge UP, Cambridge, 2007.
- Crystal, David.2016. The Oxford Dictionary of Original Shakespearean Pronunciation. Oxford & New York: OUP.
-De Grazia, Margaret and Stanley Wells (eds.) The Cambridge Companion to Shakespeare. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2001.
-Dollimore, Johnathan and Alan Sinfield, eds. Political Shakespeare. New Essays in Cultural Materialism. Manchester: Manchester UP, 1985.
-Garber, Marjorie B. Dream in Shakespeare. From Metaphors to Metamorphosis. New Haven: Yale UP, 1974.
-Gurr, Andrew. 2009. The Shakespearean Stage 1574-1642. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
-Hartnoll, Phyllis and Peter Found (eds.) The Concise Oxford Companion to the Theatre. Oxford, Oxford University Press, 1992.
-Hidalgo, Pilar, Aránzazu Usandizaga, Rafael Portillo y Bernd Dietz. Historia Crítica del Teatro Inglés. Alcoy, Editorial Marfil S.A., 1988.
-Maguire, Laurie E. Studying Shakespeare: A Guide to the Plays. Oxford: Blackwell, 2004.
Miola, Robert S. (ed.) Macbeth. A Norton Critical Edition. W.W: Norton & Company. New York and London, 2004.
-Scott Kastan, David (ed.) A Companion to Shakespeare. Oxford, Blackwell, 1999.
-Sinfield, Alan (ed.) Macbeth: Contemporary Critical Essays. Macmillan, London, 1992.
-Smith, Emma. Shakespeare´s Histories. Blackwell. Oxford, 2004.
-Stanton, Sarah and Martin Banham (eds.) The Cambridge Guide to Theatre. Cambridge. Cambridge University Press, 1996.
-Wells, Robin H. Shakespeare's Politics and the State. London: Macmillan, 1986.
-Wells, Stanley, ed. The Cambridge Companion to Shakespeare's Studies. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1986.
Electronic resources:
Shakespeare's works for reading:
http://shakespeare.mit.edu/
Glossary of terms:
https://www.shakespeareswords.com/
Available online at the Faculty's library:
A Shakespeare glossary / C.T. Onions ; enlarged and revised throughout by Robert D. Eagleson.
For those Shakespearean works to be dealt with in the subject:
http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/tempest/
https://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/richardiii/
https://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/macbeth/
https://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/merchant/
Section ‘study questions’ is specially recommended
How to write literary analysis:
https://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/macbeth/how-to-write-literary-an…
Highly recommended:
EzProxy service (remote access to 12000 magazine titles, more than 51000 e-book titles and 42 databases, all accessible through reBUSCa and Portico):https://www.usc.gal/gl/servizos/biblioteca/utilidades/ezproxy.html
The following skills and abilities are to be developed by the student:
Reading, comprehension and analysis of literary texts.
Ability to write a critical essays.
Ability to give oral presentations on literary issues.
Relating literary texts to the society in which they were produced.
Command of the tools and concepts needed for literary analysis.
Basic, general and specific competences of the verified memory of the degree at http://www.usc.es/gl/centros/filoloxia/graos/grao_ingles/grao_ingles.ht… CB1, CB2, CB3, CB4, CB5, CG3, CG5, CG6, CG7, CG8, CG9, CE5, CE6, CE7, CE8, CE9, CE10
The participation of the student, which will be fostered with diverse activities, illustrations and practical explanations, is the basis for the teaching method to be used in class.
Although it is true that part of the contents of the subject are susceptible to a more theoretical explanation, we will try to combine the theory with a much more practical approach. Therefore, illustrative materials such as ppts, documents, screenings of scenes from films, TV shows and/or documentaries, information and contents on the internet, etc. will be used.
In general, we have taken our didactic strategy from the model of Baker and Westrup known as PPP: three consecutive phases of presentation, practice and production. In the presentation phase (2 theory hours per week), the lecturers offer a theoretical- practical approach to the contents. For the practice phase (1 hour per week), the students will do some activities related to the theoretical-practical content of each unit. Finally, for the production phase, the students will be required to produce autonomous activities such as those indicated in the assessment section of this program and which contribute to the final grade of the continuous evaluation of the subject.
Students will have to do the activities designed by the lecturers for the continuous evaluation and take the final exam in the first and/or second opportunities.
The mark of the continuous evaluation counts as 40% of the final mark of the subject and the final exam counts as 60%.
IMPORTANT: It is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY TO SCORE 3 MINIMUM (out of 6) in the final exam for the mark of the continuous evaluation to be taken into account. If you fail to score this minimum, then you fail the subject.
For students who are officially exempt from attending lectures the exam will count as 100% of the final mark of the subject in both opportunities.
Also in both opportunities, those students whose schedule of the subject coincides partially or totally with that of another subject (proof must be presented, e.g. scanned copy of the registration) and/or repeaters may CHOOSE one of the following assessment systems:
a) Just the final exam: 100% of the final mark of the subject.
b) The standard assessment: the mark of the continuous evaluation of the current academic year 2025-2026 (40% of the final mark of the subject) and the final exam (60% of the final mark of the subject).
c) Only those students re-taking the subject: the mark of the continuous evaluation of the previous academic year (2024-2025) (40% of the final mark of the subject) and the final exam (60% of the final mark of the subject). If a student does not have a grade from continuous assessment from the previous academic year, the mark from the immediately preceding year in which they obtained one may be retained.
Additionally, these students MUST communicate their decision to the course coordinator (cristina.mouron [at] usc.es (cristina[dot]mouron[at]usc[dot]es)) via institutional email (USC e-mail address) by 23:59 on Friday, OCTOBER 3RD. Otherwise, they will be assessed considering the standard assessment system: the mark of the continuous evaluation of the current academic year 2025-2026 (40% of the final mark of the subject) and the final exam (60% of the final mark of the subject).
The mark of the continuous evaluation will be kept for the second opportunity.
The assessment system will be the same in both opportunities.
The exams and assignments must be written in English. Correct language will be taken into account when marking these activities.
IMPORTANT: the repetition of basic grammatical mistakes in the final exam will result in a direct fail of the exam.
For cases of fraudulent conduct over exercises or tests, what is included in the "Normativa de avaliación do rendemento académico dos estudantes e de revisión de cualificacións" will apply: " Fraudulent exams, tests or tasks required for the evaluation of a subject will imply a fail in the corresponding opportunity, regardless of the disciplinary process that may be opened against the offending student. Among others, plagiarised works or those obtained from sources accessible to the public without reworking or reinterpretation and without quotation to authors and sources will also be considered fraudulent". Therefore, the detection of the smallest fraud will mean a zero in the subject and the established disciplinary measures will be taken.
For continuous assessment, students must complete the following tasks. Each task will be graded according to the specific criteria included. The maximum grade for each task is also indicated:
• 1 group oral presentation (up to 1 point): Work in groups of 4/5 students for in-class presentation. Individual grading. Evaluation criteria: depth and quality of the information; clarity, coherence, and engagement in the content; good oral expression; effectiveness of the oral delivery during the classroom presentation.
• 1 short essay on the film Shakespeare in Love (up to 0.5 points): To be completed in class. Evaluation criteria: knowledge of theoretical content; level of quality achieved; precision and clarity in the expression of ideas; capacity for critical analysis; ability to integrate and relate content; accuracy and coherence in written expression.
• 1 interpretative reading (up to 0.5 points): To be completed in class. Evaluation criteria: correct pronunciation, clear diction, and adequate intonation.
• 2 essays on film adaptations of two works from the syllabus designated by the instructor (up to 1 point each): To be completed in class. Evaluation criteria: knowledge of theoretical content; level of quality achieved; precision and clarity in the expression of ideas; capacity for critical analysis; ability to integrate and relate content; accuracy and coherence in written expression.
Deadlines, instructions, and guidelines for the tasks will be made available on the Virtual Campus well in advance.
The design of continuous assessment tasks supports the development of autonomy and personal initiative (General Competence CG6 of the degree), as students take responsibility for their own learning by actively engaging in the assessment process.
In addition to the assignments designed for the continuous assessment grade, specialized seminars and/or lectures on a historical and/or cultural topic may be proposed outside of regular class hours. Attendance is not mandatory, but it may be taken into consideration when the final grade for the course is very close to the next higher grade.
The activities of the continuous evaluation must be completed by the due date determined by the lecturers. Otherwise, the task will not be considered for the continuous evaluation.
IMPORTANT: ATTENDANCE AND ASSESSMENT
Attendance: Students MUST attend at least 75% of the total hours for the course to be eligible to pass the subject and sit the final exam.
According to the “Regulamento de asistencia a clase nas ensinanzas oficiais de grao e máster da USC” (USC Regulations on Class Attendance in Official Undergraduate and Master’s Programmes) (approved on 25 November 2024), absences from class and assessment activities may be justified as follows:
Article 3.2 – Justified Absences from Class
The following will be considered valid reasons for absence:
a) Sitting official exams or selection procedures for public administration posts, with certification from the relevant authority.
b) Participation in university governing bodies or external academic bodies as a student representative, with appropriate documentation.
c) Hospitalisation or non-deferrable medical appointments, with certification from the relevant health professional or institution.
d) Illness preventing physical presence, duly documented.
e) Academic strikes or collective actions that block access to classrooms.
f) Serious illness or death of a close relative (up to second-degree), with proof.
g) Compliance with public duties, duly justified.
h) Official mobility restrictions due to weather alerts or states of emergency.
i) Participation in elite or high-performance sporting activities, in accordance with regional or USC-specific regulations.
j) Any other force majeure duly substantiated.
3.3. Students must notify their lecturer within five working days of the end of the circumstance preventing attendance. If there is a disagreement, the final decision will rest with the faculty's management or the relevant committee.
3.4 – Attendance Compliance
Attendance will be considered fulfilled without justification if absences do not exceed 10% of total programmed hours (including both lecture and interactive sessions), except in activities explicitly marked as compulsory.
Article 5 – Absence from Assessment Activities
1. The reasons for justified class absences listed above also apply to absences from assessment activities. However, in the case of elite athletes, flexibility will only apply when there is a direct conflict with o fficial competitions or training sessions, properly certified by the relevant sports federation.
2. In cases of justified absence, students have the right to reschedule the assessment. The new date will be set by the course instructor, preferably in agreement with the student, and must be before the closing of grade records. Whenever possible, at least two working days must pass between notification and the new assessment date.
The subject comprises 15 weeks:
Weeks 1-3: Units 1-4
Weeks 4-6: Unit 5
Weeks 7-9: Unit 6
Weeks 10-12: Unit 7
Weeks 13-15: Unit 8
Since this is an ECTS subject, the student will need 150 hours (lectures and autonomous work included) to pass the subject.
It is strongly recommended that students read the required literary texts before they are discussed in class, using fully annotated editions such as those published by Oxford, Cambridge, Norton, Arden, etc., paying special attention to the footnotes.
It is also recommended to complement the content covered in class with the relevant recommended bibliography and with the online materials suggested in the Virtual Classroom.
Students are advised to resolve any doubts during class whenever possible, or otherwise during office hours.
To enhance understanding of the literary period and its authors, students are encouraged to engage with films, plays, documentaries, online information, etc. Likewise, students will be encouraged to attend any theatrical or cinematic events related to the work of William Shakespeare that may take place at the USC or in the city of Santiago de Compostela.
It is very important that students pay attention to messages from the teaching staff on the Virtual Classroom and in their institutional email (i.e. the USC e-mail address) regarding instructions on classes, assignments, etc.
The course will be taught in English, though Galician and Spanish may be used occasionally.
Fraudulent practice in any course activity will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
IMPORTANT: CLASSROOM CONDUCT REGULATIONS
In accordance with Article 36(c) of the Lei Orgánica do Sistema Universitario (LOSU) (Organic Law of the University System: LOSU), which lists as a student obligation: “to comply with the guidelines set by teaching staff and university authorities”, the following classroom rules apply:
1. The use of mobile phones is not allowed during either lecture or interactive sessions, except when used as a work tool following the instructions given by the lecturers. Students will be held responsible for any legal and academic consequences that may arise from inappropriate use . Tablets and laptops may only be used for note-taking and accessing materials from the Virtual Campus. Use of any electronic device during assessment activities is not permitted unless explicitly authorised by the lecturers.
2. Students must arrive no later than 10 minutes after the beginning of class; otherwise, they will not be allowed to enter.
3. No food consumption is allowed in the classroom during the classes.
4. To be counted as attending a session, students must remain in the classroom until the end, except in cases of justified reasons such as sudden illness.
According to the "Regulamento polo que se establecen as normas de convivencia da USC" (USC Code of Conduct; 30 March 2023), students must take the following into account:
1. Article 44: Repeatedly disrupting the normal development of class activities may be considered a serious offence and may result in sanctions, including suspension for up to one month or the loss of the right to sit exams in the affected course.
2. Aricle 43: Inappropriate behaviour in class may also lead to the initiation of disciplinary proceedings.
IMPORTANT: Emails that do not come from the student's corporate address (USC address) will not be answered.
The USC has additional tutorial support service to help diversity (students with specific needs). https://www.usc.gal/gl/servizos/area/inclusion-participacion-social. E-mail: sepiu.santiago [at] usc.es (sepiu[dot]santiago[at]usc[dot]es).
Cristina Mouron Figueroa
Coordinador/a- Department
- English and German Philology
- Area
- English Philology
- Phone
- 881811832
- cristina.mouron [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Lecturer
Martin Fernandez Fernandez
- Department
- English and German Philology
- Area
- English Philology
- m.fernandez.fernandez [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: Intern Assistant LOSU
| Tuesday | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 13:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | English | C12 |
| 14:00-15:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | English | C12 |
| Thursday | |||
| 09:00-10:00 | Grupo /CLIS_03 (P-Z) | English | C09 |
| 11:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLIS_02 (G-O) | English | C09 |
| 12:00-13:00 | Grupo /CLIS_01 (A-F) | English | C09 |
| 01.09.2026 09:30-13:30 | Grupo /CLIS_03 (P-Z) | C06 |
| 01.09.2026 09:30-13:30 | Grupo /CLIS_01 (A-F) | C06 |
| 01.09.2026 09:30-13:30 | Grupo /CLIS_02 (G-O) | C06 |
| 01.09.2026 09:30-13:30 | Grupo /CLE_01 | C06 |
| 01.09.2026 09:30-13:30 | Grupo /CLE_01 | C07 |
| 01.09.2026 09:30-13:30 | Grupo /CLIS_03 (P-Z) | C07 |
| 01.09.2026 09:30-13:30 | Grupo /CLIS_01 (A-F) | C07 |
| 01.09.2026 09:30-13:30 | Grupo /CLIS_02 (G-O) | C07 |
| 01.09.2026 09:30-13:30 | Grupo /CLIS_02 (G-O) | C08 |
| 01.09.2026 09:30-13:30 | Grupo /CLE_01 | C08 |
| 01.09.2026 09:30-13:30 | Grupo /CLIS_03 (P-Z) | C08 |
| 01.09.2026 09:30-13:30 | Grupo /CLIS_01 (A-F) | C08 |
| 06.04.2026 09:30-13:30 | Grupo /CLIS_03 (P-Z) | D11 |
| 06.04.2026 09:30-13:30 | Grupo /CLIS_01 (A-F) | D11 |
| 06.04.2026 09:30-13:30 | Grupo /CLIS_02 (G-O) | D11 |
| 06.04.2026 09:30-13:30 | Grupo /CLE_01 | D11 |