Learn how Julius Caesar focuses on how even noble men like Brutus become corrupted by the lust for power and harm their country under the pretense of doing good for it. At the same time, the play subtly presents the will of Christ as the ultimate force which drives history, using flawed men as its instruments for good.
How to get the most out of Julius Caesar with Henry M. Russell, PhD:
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First, read the course materials below before the first class meeting.
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Then have a notebook ready and available for class notes each live session.
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Read assignments before class meetings
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Watch that week’s recording if you need to revisit information from our live session.
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Do the assignments, quizzes, and any extra work assigned for that week.
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Once the course is completed to the parent's and professor’s satisfaction, there is a Certificate of Completion at the end to be filled in for your records.
Total classes: 7
Duration: 55 minutes
Prerequisite: Ability to read the books, underline and take notes and ask questions.
Suggested grade level: 9th to 12th grades.
Suggested credit:1/2 semester credit. Combine with Henry V for 1 full credit
Instructor: Henry M. Russell, PhD
Instructor email: maryshire@gmail.com
Course description: Julius Caesar focuses on how noble men like Brutus become corrupted by the lust for power and attack their country under the pretense of doing good for it. Such a theme is constantly relevant to political life. At the same time, the play subtly presents the will of Christ as the ultimate force which drives history, using flawed men as its instruments for good. There is great enjoyment in seeing how Shakespeare roused the spirits of his many fellow Catholics by telling the truth in his time, while remaining largely immune from censorship or martyrdom. Dr. Russell, who has taught and written on the Catholic Shakespeare since 1992, will show that, only when we bring a carefully Catholic view to the plays, do they make complete sense and do not break down into a mere series of unanswered questions and scattered themes.
Course outline:
Week I: View The Catholic Shakespeare bio, embedded on Moodle
Week II: Act I
Week III Act II
Week IV: Act III
Week V: Act IV
Week VI: Act V
Week VII: General Topics
Course materials: Any edition with Act, Scene divisions and line numbers is fine.
Homework: Expect to spend about one and one-half hours per week outside of class on reading and notetaking. There will be weekly automated-graded quizzes available for immediate feedback, as well as two exams, one in the middle and one at the end of the course. Please come to class with thoughts and questions about what you have read.
- Teacher: Henry Russell