ENGL 316 Winter ’26: Postcolonial Literature and Culture
Re-Reading The Tempest
Dr Janelle Rodriques
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:30 - 12:20, SAV 131
Hello!
In this class, we will be reading - and reading around - William Shakespeare's The Tempest. In addition to Shakespeare's play, we will be reading criticism around the figures of Caliban, Ariel, Prospero and Miranda that focuses on each of these character's position in the colonial relation. We will then read adaptations of the play - one a drama, one a novel - to discuss and analyse how this play continues to be a useful lens through which to see colonisation across the Americas (with a focus on the Caribbean) to this day. In essence, we will be answering the question, 'What does The Tempest have to do with colonialism and its afterlives?'
Required Reading*
Shakespeare, William, The Tempest (any edition is fine, but try and get one with sufficient annotations, and a good critical introduction)
Césaire, Aimé, A Tempest (translated into English from French)
Nunez, Elizabeth, Prospero's Daughter
*You will definitely have more reading than this, but these are the books you will have to buy/borrow for class! The rest will be uploaded to the class’ Canvas page.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- Identify and analyse the main characters of William Shakespeare’s The Tempest - motives, motivations, shortcomings, etc;
- Articulate how each of these characters relates to power, domination, and control of resources;
- Explain how this matrix constitutes what is known as ‘the colonial relation;’
- Discuss how and why The Tempest is/can be a useful lens through which to view both ‘colonialism’ and ‘postcoloniality;’
- Write brief (~1200-word) critical literary analysis.
Contact Information
The best way to contact me is by email, at jar0118@uw.edu. Office hours will be conducted via Zoom, by appointment, on Mondays and Wednesdays. Please make appointments through Calendly, here: https://calendly.com/jar0118/jr-office-hours.
The meeting ID for these meetings is 840 166 7334. The passcode is 541804.
Please allow up to three (3) business days for an email response, and be mindful that I do not check my emails before 10 am, after 6pm, nor on weekends and public holidays. I will not be responding to emails regarding this class after the quarter is concluded. I will communicate with you (as a group) chiefly through Canvas announcements.
As students, you control the notifications that you receive from Canvas. Go to your Canvas account (under your personal icon) in the menu on the left, and review your notifications to ensure that Canvas alerts you when an announcement is posted, an assignment is due, a grade is released, a submission comment is posted, and for any other events/changes that may be pertinent.
Please read all information presented in the announcements, modules and assignments, and check for updates frequently – at least every 48 hours. We have a fixed schedule, and assignments have due dates. Refer to the course schedule for more information.
Instructional Methods
Instructional methods may include, but are not limited to
- Interactive, in-person lessons in which we engage with assigned texts through critical discussion
- Audio recordings and instructional videos
- Readings, assignments and quizzes
- Discussion posts
- Consultations
- Group work
I am not overly reliant on - and do not prefer - lecturing in my pedagogical practice. What you put into this class, you'll most likely get out.
Words of advice:
- Read ALL instructions and announcements as soon as they are posted. Read the syllabus!
- Attend class.
- Review the resources provided because they will help you to better understand the information and task at hand.
- Ask questions if you are unsure about anything. Really, honestly, help me help you.
- SET YOURSELF A WEEKLY SCHEDULE and stick to it.
- Get assignments done as soon as possible.
In the event of group assignments, groups will be randomly assigned through Canvas. Let me know – with enough advance time – if you need help administering them.
Technology Requirements
Please ensure that you have the latest versions of Zoom and Panopto installed on your computer. You may need Panopto for video recordings, and Zoom in case of a return to online instruction. Both of these programs are integrated into this class' Canvas page, therefore can be accessed from the left-hand menu.
Please plan ahead, so that you will have adequate technological access. 'Not having a computer' or 'computer crashes' are not acceptable excuses for late work. Do not wait until the last minute to complete assignments, and have a back-up plan in place in case you have technical problems.
Help with Canvas can be found here: https://itconnect.uw.edu/tools-services-support/teaching-learning/canvas/canvas-help-for-students/
Panopto video tutorials can be accessed here: https://howtovideos.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Folders/DepartmentHome.aspx?folderID=4b9de7ae-0080-4158-8496-a9ba01692c2e
See also, the webpage for UW-IT: https://itconnect.uw.edu/help/
Attendance and Participation
Regular and active participation in all scheduled activities of this course is critical in establishing a solid foundation of knowledge, and therefore doing well. I will be tracking attendance via Canvas to provide correlation between said attendance and your academic performance, but this will not be graded. Please see UW's attendance policy here: https://registrar.washington.edu/registration/policies-procedures/
In general, short holidays, weekends, and campus closures DO NOT affect the schedule of assigned activities. If you miss a class, please either consult with your peers, or arrange an office hours appointment to catch up.
Assignments and Grading
Your assignments – and their due dates – are listed at the bottom of the Canvas ‘Syllabus’ page under 'Course Summary. I will explain the requirements for each assignment in class, in advance of the due date. If there is anything that needs clarification, please let me know.
Please consult the 'Assignments' page (and your Canvas calendar) regularly, to stay abreast of your responsibilities and deadlines. For each day (including weekends) that your assignment is late, there will be a 5% deduction from your grade. After 5 days, your assignment will not be graded, and will be awarded a 0% mark.
Rubrics can be found in the ‘Files’ tab on Canvas, and I will go over my expectations in class. Of course, you may also arrange an office hours appointment to discuss any and all of these assignments. If you need additional assistance with your writing skills, COME SEE ME! In addition, please visit the Odegaard Writing and Research Centre at https://depts.washington.edu/owrcweb/wordpress/
Much of the feedback I provide for your assignments will be delivered via SpeedGrader. Should there be any changes to these grades and expectations, I will notify you via Canvas.
PLEASE NOTE: I reserve the right to assign surprise quizzes during class. If you are not present on the day the quiz is administered, you will not be able to make it up.
Assignment Breakdown
Your final grade for this course will be calculated as follows, subject to change:
Key Themes Reader Response Paper 15%
Essay Outline 15%
Glossary 15%
Essay First Draft 20%
Peer Review 10%
Final Essay 25%
There will be no final exam for this course.
Essay
The most important assignment in this class will be the 5-page/1200-word critical literary analysis essay. I have scheduled class time to discuss my expectations/your concerns, but I cannot recommend enough that you plan ahead, and arrange office hour appointments with me, to discuss your ideas and plans. While I am happy to comment on essay plans with you, I will not read and comment on full drafts before they are submitted. You will have two opportunities to write this paper, the first one of which will be peer reviewed - anonymously, by one of your classmates - the second of which will be graded by me.
When grading your essays, both you and I will use criteria described in the ‘Essay Grade Criteria’ document, located in ‘Files.’ You may also consult the 'UniEdin English Literature Writing Guide,’ also in ‘Files.’ That is also where you can find some guidelines for your reader response papers and general writing.
Grade Scheme
The following grading standards will be used in this class. I will be grading on a 100-point system, which I will convert to grade points at the end of the quarter:
A 100 % to 90.0%
B <90.0 % to 80.0%
C <80.0 % to 70.0%
D <70.0 % to 60.0%
F <60.0 % to 0.0%.
To convert your percentage grades to GPA points, I will multiply the percentage by 4. Therefore, a 72% grade will be 0.72x4, which is 2.88, 2.9.
You may also find this UW grading table useful:
[Source: https://www.washington.edu/students/gencat/front/Grading_Sys.html]
Course Evaluation
You will have two formal opportunities to provide anonymous feedback during this course: one in the middle of the quarter, and one at the end. Outside of these, I really do encourage constructive, regular feedback, via email or in class, about your experiences with the class structure and material. PLEASE DO speak up at any given time during the quarter if there are things you don't understand, or would like to do differently. I cannot help you if I do not know.
Course Interactions, In-person and Online
Communicate respectfully and write professionally in all communications within this course, including presentations, assignments, discussions and emails. This means that you should use correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalisation and other mechanics of writing for any assignment you are given, or email you send, or post you make.
Be respectful and treat everyone as you would want to be treated yourself.
Wait to respond to a message that upsets you and be careful of what you say and how you say it. By default, think before you speak or post – could the same point be made another way? Do your words have the potential to offend others?
Be considerate. Avoid rude or threatening language, inflammatory assertions, personal attacks, and other inappropriate communication.
Never post a message that is in all capital letters – it comes across to the reader as SHOUTING!
Use boldface and italics sparingly, as they can suggest sarcasm.
Refrain from replies to postings that are simply gratuitous, such as 'Me, too!' Try to add value, in your responses
Always practise good grammar, punctuation, and composition. This shows that you have taken the time to craft your response and that you respect your classmates' work.
Use spell check!
Proofread your emails.
Work Submission Requirements
File Formats: Typically students are expected to use: DOCX, PPTX, and PDF. Remember that is your responsibility to ensure that I am able to open your assignment. Students will have 24 hours to correct any file that cannot be opened or viewed.
Labelling: When saving assignments, please include the Assignment or Project name/number as well as your name (typically first initial and last name). In the case of your first essay (for peer review), leave out your name, but make the assignment clear. Example: 'ENGL316Essay 1.'
Late Assignments: Assignments are due by the date in the assignment schedule. Any time you feel you might be falling behind in the course, it is best to contact me immediately to discuss your situation. Please note that no assignments will be accepted after the final day of class, and/or five days after the due date (including weekends).
Extenuating Circumstances: If you have extenuating circumstances that prevent you from completing projects, quizzes or participating in the class, please contact me as soon as you are able to make alternative arrangements. Alternative arrangements are made at my discretion.
Institutional Policies
Academic Integrity
All work for this class must be your own and must be written exclusively for this class. Cheating and plagiarism are serious violations of Chapter 478-121 WAC: Student Conduct Code for the University of Washington and will be treated according to the procedures outlined therein. You are responsible for asking your instructor any questions you may have about honest use of sources or proper documentation.
Sexual Harassment/Mandatory Reporting (Title IX)
Title IX and other federal and state laws collectively prohibit discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, pregnant or parenting status, and LGBTQ identity. These laws impose legal requirements and protections that serve as a foundation from which UW has created policies, practices, services, and programs that work in concert to advance equity for students, staff, and faculty of all identities. Please visit The Office of the Title IX Coordinator for more information.
Should you feel comfortable enough with me to disclose knowledge of any acts of violence towards you or your peers, I will of course take them seriously. However, I am unable to maintain your confidence in matters of potentially criminal harassment and/or assault; I am legally obligated to report my knowledge of such disclosures, after our discussion. This notice does not mean that I do not support you; it is merely a declaration of my legal obligations.
Religious Accommodations
Washington state law requires that UW develop a policy for accommodation of student absences or significant hardship due to reasons of faith or conscience, or for organised religious activities. The UW’s policy, including more information about how to request an accommodation, is available at Religious Accommodations Policy
Accommodations must be requested within the first two weeks of this course using the Religious Accommodations Request Form
Schedule (10 Weeks)*
*Please note that this is still in draft form
WEEK 1
Jan 6 – Intros, Syllabus – what is PoCo?
Jan 8 – Intros to play (TBD)
WEEK 2
Jan 13 – Shakespeare, The Tempest
Jan 15 – The Tempest
Key Themes assignment due
WEEK 3
Jan 20 – Play, focus on Ariel
Jan 22 – Play, focus on Caliban
WEEK 4
Jan 27 – Lamming
Jan 29 – Essay Planning
Essay Outline due
WEEK 5
Feb 3 – Rodo
Feb 5 – Retamar
WEEK 6
Feb 10 – Césaire, A Tempest
Feb 12 – A Tempest
Essay 1 due
WEEK 7
Feb 17 – A Tempest
Feb 19 – Wynter, Sylvia. "Beyond Miranda’s Meanings: Un/silencing the ‘Demonic Ground’ of Caliban’s ‘Woman.’" Out of the Kumbla: Caribbean Women and Literature, eds. Carole Boyce Davies and Elaine Savory Fido. Trenton: Africa World Press, 1990, pp. 355-372.
Peer Review due
WEEK 8
Feb 24 – Nunez, Prospero's Daughter
Feb 26 – Prospero's Daughter
WEEK 9
Mar 3 – Prospero's Daughter
Mar 5 – Prospero's Daughter
Glossary due
WEEK 10
Mar 10 – Working on Essay 2
Mar 12 –
Final Essay due Sunday, March 15, at 21:00.