Episode 1: “Kids and Parents, Parents and Kids”
A Weekly Remote Learning Seminar for ages 14 – 20
Meet online Wednesdays 2-330pm
February 3 – May 5
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Brett Reeves, Educator
to Register for This Course
Henry IV, Part 1
Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Irons, Maxine Peake
Directed by Richard Eyre
Merchant of Venice
Al Pacino, Lynn Collins, Mackenzie Crook
Directed by Michael Radford
Hamlet
Ethan Hawke, Julia Stiles, Bill Murray, Liev Schreiber
Directed by Michael Almereyda
OUR MISSION
What if the greatest screenwriter of our time died 400 years ago?
In this remote learning seminar, we take a deep dive into the Bard by watching thoroughly modern movies with recognizable actors (Tim Hiddleston, Julia Stiles, Bill Murray, Lynn Collins, Ethan Hawke). We engage with three works that deal with relations between kids and their parents (Henry IV, The Merchant of Venice, Hamlet).
First, we read each play and share our ideas. Then we watch a film version and share our ideas. We tease out the difference between characters and “character” and between plot (what happens) and theme (the ideas). We write about the movies and use the movies as a springboard to express our own ideas.
We develop our skills at reading, writing, and analysis. We get better.
THE STRUCTURE OF OUR SEMINAR
This remote learning experience is designed for active reading, active viewing, active learning, and active participation in the exchange and development of ideas. Meetings are conducted through Google Meet once a week, 60-90 minutes each.
* We are accepting young persons ages 14-20. No previous experience required.
* We limit enrollment to 6 participants per cohort. Every participant will participate.
* We meet once weekly via Google Meet to read, view, and talk our way through the plays.
* Our sessions run 60-90 minutes.
* We view key scenes from multiple productions.
* We continually write and reflect on the plays, and we each produce a final project using text, images, and video.
* We meet for 14 sessions. We spend 12 sessions exploring. During the last two sessions we present our projects.
* Instructor provides Review Guide for each play and Feedback on written submissions.
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Brett Reeves, Educator
to Register for This Course
THE PLAY’S THE THING…
Shakespeare created fascinating characters and showed viewers what “character” was. He hammered out powerful plots and plots within plots, and he made ideas live, so much so that people still gather round, not just to listen but to talk back.
Henry IV, Part 1
Prince Hal loathes his father but longs to please him. King Henry is sickened by his son’s antics but hopes he’ll turn himself around. Meanwhile, rebels are banging at the castle door.
Stream: Henry IV, Part 1 (2012) Streaming Online
Text: Henry IV, Part 1 | The Folger SHAKESPEARE
The Merchant of Venice
Business tycoon Antonio borrows money from Shylock, a Jewish financier. If Antonio can’t pay the loan back, he has to let Shylock cut off a pound of flesh from his body. Everybody, including Shylock’s daughter, Jessica, and the fair Princess Portia, has skin in the game.
Stream: The Merchant of Venice (2004) Streaming Online
Text: The Merchant of Venice | The Folger SHAKESPEARE
Hamlet
A college student is called home because his father has been murdered. Meanwhile, his uncle has married his mother. His girlfriend Ophelia is a basket case. Hamlet can’t decide whether to kill himself or kill his father’s killer.
Stream: Hamlet (2000) Streaming Online
Text: Hamlet | The Folger SHAKESPEARE
****Finding the Text and Films****
We are using the text published by the Folger Shakespeare Library.
Other editions may vary.
* Free Digital Texts and Supplementary Materials: The Folger SHAKESPEARE.
* Print Editions with Annotations available for $9.99: The Folger SHAKESPEARE.
* Streams available free or for rent/purchase starting at $1.99 ReelGood.com.
* DVD versions available through many local libraries.
ABOUT BRETT REEVES, EDUCATOR
Reading Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part 1 in college convinced me I wanted to spend my life in literature. Dr. Leon Stokesbury made the text come alive with his reading and made my brain tingle with his commentary. At UT-Austin, I was privileged to study Shakespeare with Dr. Eric Mallin and Dr. Elizabeth Richmond-Garza. These distinguished professors helped deepen my experience and broaden my views on what made the Bard so worthy of bardolatry. I served as Graduate Assistant to Dr. John Rusckiwiez in his popular undergraduate course, Shakespeare and His Discontent. I directed a studio production of Henry IV, part 1 in 2017 with a teenage cast.
I’ve been a writer, editor, and educator for over 30 years. My published work includes journalism, textbooks, academic writing, advertising, historical nonfiction, poetry, and music. I’ve written and recorded my own songs and co-written songs with other artists. As an educator, I specialize in Writing, Literature, and the Liberal Arts. I focus on the participants, who they are and how they can benefit from our time together.
I know that anyone who cares about learning can learn.
I earned my Master of Arts degree in English from the University of Texas at Austin plus 36 hours of additional coursework. During the past few years, I have offered private courses to the Austin homeschooling community and also through Hill Country Academy and Austin Community College.
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Brett Reeves, Educator
to Register for This Course
COST, SCHEDULE, ACCREDITATION
Taking Shakespeare to the Movies
Cost is $120 pre-paid or three monthly payments of $50.
Tuition assistance is available by request.
There are 14 meetings in the term.
COHORT meets Wednesdays 2-330pm, September 2 – December 9.
No meeting Thanksgiving Week.
Instructor will provide a Certificate of Completion and Syllabus for those who want to claim credit as high school or early college English.
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Brett Reeves, Educator
to Register for This Course
OUR WEEKLY SCHEDULE AND AGENDA
Please note, participation is key.
Meeting 1
Discuss Shakespeare’s life and times and major works.
* Homework: Read synopsis and play, HIV. Prepare interpretation of your assigned scene.
Meeting 2
Discuss HIV themes. Participants present interpretation.
* Homework: watch HIV, complete review guide
Meeting 3
Discuss HIV production. Review select scenes from other productions.
* Homework: Read selected criticism. Write a review-analysis of HIV production
Meeting 4
Participants present abstracts of HIV reviews. Roundtable discussion.
* Homework: Read synopsis and play, Merchant. Prepare interpretation of your assigned scene.
Meeting 5
Discuss Merchant themes. Participants present interpretation.
* Homework: watch Merchant. complete review guide
Meeting 6
Discuss Merchant production. Review select scenes from other productions
* Homework: Read selected criticism. Write a review-analysis of Merchant production.
Meeting 7
Present abstracts of Merchant reviews. Roundtable discussion.
* Homework: Read synopsis and play, Hamlet. Prepare interpretation of your assigned scene.
Meeting 8
Discuss Hamlet themes. Participants present interpretation.
> Homework: Watch Hamlet. Complete review guide.
Meeting 9
Discuss Hamlet production. Review select scenes from other productions.
* Homework: Read selected criticism. Write a review-analysis of Hamlet production.
Meeting 10
Present abstracts of Hamlet reviews. Roundtable discussion.
* Homework: Begin personal project (developed in consultation with instructor).
Meeting 11
Review personal projects and scenes from other productions.
* Homework: Produce a draft of personal project.
Meeting 12
Review personal projects and scenes from other productions.
* Homework: Revise personal project with comments from advisor and peers.
Meeting 13
Present personal projects.
Meeting 14
Present personal projects.
Click Here to Email
Brett Reeves, Educator
to Register for This Course