Shakespeare, Elizabethan Theatre and the Tudors are an integral part of the syllabus of German grammar schools. For teachers this often poses quite a challenge since Shakespeare's plays aren't only difficult reading matter but as classical texts they are often considered a rather "shop-soiled subject". In the seminar we will read and discuss two of Shakespeare's plays: Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth. At the centre of attention will be methods of teaching these two plays in a manner that targets the interests of today's pupils, relying not least on the timelessness of Shakespeare's themes. Furthermore, we will look at Shakespeare's work environment (the Elizabethan Stage) and at the historical context in general (the Elizabethan and Jacobean Age) and together design worksheets and tasks for the classroom. Students are expected to read the two plays, to actively participate in seminar work and to design lesson plans of their own, concentrating on specific aspects of Shakespeare, his time, and work. Furthermore, they will have to present and to discuss their course design in a written paper.
