Description

Introduction to Shakespeare is designed to help your student discover the world of Shakespeare through plays full of drama, comedy, and timeless themes that still shape stories today. This class makes Shakespeare approachable and enjoyable, helping students strengthen their reading comprehension, literary analysis, and critical thinking skills while seeing how Shakespeare’s work continues to influence modern culture, drama, and storytelling.

Whether your student has read some of Shakespeare’s plays or none at all, this class will build on his knowledge and confidence in reading comprehension and analysis. Students will read three complete plays representing the major genres—comedy, history, and tragedy—while learning to appreciate the historical context and enduring relevance of Shakespeare’s work.

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Read and comprehend Shakespearean language with confidence
• Analyze dramatic structure and literary devices in Shakespeare’s plays
• Understand the historical and cultural context of Elizabethan drama
• Identify and distinguish between Shakespeare’s major genres (comedy, history, tragedy)
• Apply close reading techniques to complex texts
• Write literary analysis papers with clear argumentation
• Recognize Shakespeare’s influence on modern storytelling and culture
• Approach college English and writing courses with confidence

What’s Included

• Weekly live instruction covering three complete Shakespeare plays
• Discussion-based classes with short lectures on historical context
• Close reading practice to understand Shakespearean language and structure
• Genre exploration including comedy, history, and tragedy
• Midterm assessment to evaluate learning progress
• Literary inquiry paper with instructor guidance and feedback
• Final exam combining practical and theoretical knowledge
• Final grade submitted to parents for their records

Who This Class Is For

This course is perfect for students who:

• Have never read Shakespeare or only read one or two plays
• Find Shakespeare’s language difficult or intimidating
• Want to prepare for college-level English courses
• Are interested in drama, storytelling, and theatrical performance
• Want to strengthen their literary analysis and critical thinking skills
• Enjoy exploring how classic literature influences modern culture

Class Details

Credit: Half Credit in High School English/Language Arts

Recommended Grade Range: High School (9th-12th Grade)

The class will meet weekly over Zoom on Thursdays from 2:00-3:00 PM Central Time according to the schedule below. The format will be discussion-based with short lectures focused on the historical context of each play. Students will read three complete plays representing the major genres: comedy, history, and tragedy.

About the Instructor

Camille Floyd holds a B.A. in English Literature from Lipscomb University and recently completed postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford. A large portion of her course work focused on Medieval and Elizabethan literature, and she is passionate about helping students understand and appreciate Shakespeare’s plays.

Required Materials

Students will need copies of the following plays:

• A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare
• Henry V by William Shakespeare
• Hamlet by William Shakespeare

Additional course materials will be provided by the instructor, including:

• Historical context materials and reading guides
• Literary analysis examples and worksheets
• Paper writing guidelines and resources

Students should have:

• Computer or laptop with reliable internet connection
• Word processing software (Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or similar)
• Notebook and writing materials for planning and note-taking

Schedule of Class Meetings

All Thursdays, all scheduled from 2:00-3:00 PM Central Time.

1. Jan 15 – Course Introduction, Syllabus, & Understanding Shakespeare’s World
2. Jan 22 – Reading a play: Mind the Gap & Basic Structure
3. Jan 29 – Comedy, Introduction to A Midsummer Night’s Dream & Act 1
4. Feb 5 – Act 2-4 A Midsummer Night’s Dream
5. Feb 12 – Act 5 A Midsummer Night’s Dream
6. Feb 19 – History Plays, Introduction to Henry V & Act 1
7. Feb 26 – Acts 2-4 Henry V
8. Mar 5 – Act 5 Henry V
9. Mar 12 – Spring Break (Midterm Due – No Class)
10. Mar 19 – Tragedy, Introduction to Hamlet & Act 1
11. Mar 26 – Acts 2-3 Hamlet
12. Apr 2 – Act 4 Hamlet
13. Apr 9 – Act 5 Hamlet
14. Apr 16 – How to write a Literary Inquiry Paper
15. Apr 23 – Shakespeare’s Modern Influence and Paper Writing
16. Apr 30 – Paper Due and Final Exam

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I can’t attend the live Zoom sessions?

All the sessions will be recorded and posted for enrolled students to watch at their convenience. You can use the recordings to review or catch up if you missed a session.

Students who can’t make the schedule above can still participate in the class assignments and group discussions by watching the recordings and communicating in the group on My Compass Classroom.

What kinds of assignments and assessments are included?

Assignments include reading three complete Shakespeare plays, participation in class discussions, a midterm assessment, a literary inquiry paper, and a final exam. All are designed to help students think deeply, read closely, and develop confidence in literary analysis.

Will my student receive a final grade?

Yes! The instructor, Camille Floyd, will provide a suggested final grade based on submitted assignments, participation, midterm, paper, and final exam. Since this is a live homeschool course, the parent has the final authority and may use this grade as part of their student’s official transcript or records.

Is there a minimum enrollment required?

All live classes are subject to minimum enrollment in order to hold. If minimum enrollment is not reached before the first scheduled session, all students will be notified and refunded completely.

Do you offer refunds on live classes?

We think you will love this class. If you don’t, you may request a refund but must do so no later than before the second scheduled class after your enrollment (purchase) date. This gives you the chance to experience an entire live class session to make your decision.

How long will I have access to the class?

Recording access expires 6 weeks after the last live session. Students are free to continue working through the course on their own during this time. However, no submissions will be graded after the final class meeting, or as directed by the instructor.