Pedagogical Pragmatism and Student Research in the Early Modern Period

Abstract

Not surprisingly, many undergraduates do not realize there is a difference between Anglo-Saxon and early modern English. I once overheard a student say that she refused to take Shakespeare because she didn’t understand “that old English stuff.” Her comment made me unhappy, not because she was misinformed and perhaps uninterested, but more because it reflected the trend of many American English departments’ decision to offer and require fewer courses before the nineteenth century because of lack of student interest. Even when they are available, many students enroll as a last resort and just hope to pass because they believe they cannot understand the language. I teach both Renaissance Literature and two Shakespeare courses and do not have enrollment issues because my department produces a large number of teachers, and one of the state requirements is a drama course.