Syllabus and itinerary

ENGL 8900

Imperial London: Women, Theatre, and Empire
Spring Break Study Abroad March 15-22 2019

Dr. Tanya Caldwell

tmcaldwell@gsu.edu
(You all have my cell number in your Whatsapp Imperial London contact group)

Three of England’s longest reigning monarchs have also been the greatest symbols and agents of the different stages of British imperial reach and of the Commonwealth that evolved from empire. They were also women and history’s presentation of their power as such is fraught with contradictions. As objects of the culture of conspicuous consumption and exoticization, women, especially those of conquered territories, were also among the greatest victims of empire and its aftermath, however. Focusing primarily but not solely on theatre as a platform for the spectacle of English imperial power, we will probe these issues on site, in London, the heart of British empire, and at Stratford-Upon-Avon, where Shakespeare literally set the stage for English glory. To enhance the experience of this graduate-level study abroad, you will each have a chance to engage in tailored archival research, depending on your broader research interests and the parameters of this class.

Syllabus and itinerary:

Saturday March 2:       Mandatory orientation and introductory lecture

Friday March 15:        Leave Atlanta

Saturday March 16:     Arrive London; National Portrait Gallery; Covent Garden

Sunday March 17:       Mme Tussaud’s; Stroll Brick Lane; dinner at Bengali restaurant

Monday March 18:     Globe tour; travel to Stratford; RSC Taming of the Shrew

Tuesday March 19:     830am class discussion; Shakespeare family homes tours; travel to                                        London; Waitress at Adelphi Theatre

Wednes March 20:      830am class discussion; Tower of London; TBA

Thursday March 21:    Tailored archival work: e.g V&A, British Library, theatres

Friday March 22:        Return to ATL or further travel

 

Readings:

Monica Ali, Brick Lane
Aphra Behn, Oroonoko & The Rover

Christina Rossetti, Goblin Market

William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice

Hannah Cowley, The Town Before You

Excerpts from Alexander Pope, The Rape of the Lock 

Suggested further reading:

Zadie Smith, Swing Time

 

Assignments:
Blog post: 30%; Participation: 20%; Final paper due at end of full semester: 50%