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March 29, 2005
New course eases pain of Hamline Plan “H”
The Hamline Plan causes woes for all CLA students. The most notorious letters are the “N” and the “F,” but what about that pesky “H”?
Last week, the English department announced that it will be offering a new class next fall. The department chose to create the class to ensure more choices for students and hopefully increase course enrollment within the department. The new course, entitled “Shakespeare for Scientists,” will be a more convenient way for biologists, chemists, mathematicians, and physicists to earn their Hamline Plan “H.” The course will not count toward an English major and reflects many of the ideals behind the “Physics for Poets and Sex and the Brain” courses offered each term.
English department chair Veena Deo shared the suggested curriculum, which includes Baz Luhrmann’s
Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet starring Ethan Hawke, Hugh Hefner’s interpretation of Macbeth, as well as the Academy Awardąwinning Shakespeare in Love.
That’s right, no books. Most of the department agreed that it was too much to ask science-oriented students to actually read prose in iambic pentameter. Instead, students will watch modern-day cinematic interpretations of several of Shakespeare’s works and engage in class discussion. Writing assignments are also expected to be kept at a minimum č just a few short movie reviews.
Junior biology major Fareena Jaffer said she thought the new course sounded great.
“Finally, an easy was to earn my humanities credits. Why should I struggle through reading and analyzing real books when classical literature is totally irrelevant to what I am going to do with my life?”
Physics professor Andy Rundquist said, “I am glad to see the English department opening doors to the science scholars.”
“Shakespeare for Scientists” is expected to be a popular course, so students wishing to register for the course should be sure to wake up early on their designated registration day.
Posted by msveum at March 29, 2005 12:50 PM
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