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BerkeleyX: AP® English Literature & Composition – Part 3: Plays

Enhance your reading and writing skills as you interpret and learn about plays in preparation for the AP® English Literature & Composition exam.

7 weeks
4–5 hours per week
Self-paced
Progress at your own speed
This course is archived
Future dates to be announced
AP® English Literature & Composition – Part 3: Plays

About this course

Skip About this course

This course prepares you to read more deeply and write more clearly about works of literature. This course will focus on great pieces of drama and how we read and interpret them. We will discuss the works of William Shakespeare and Edmond Rostand. Through an engaging collection of videos, authentic readings, and support material from a variety of sources, you will learn to appreciate literature from different genres.

You will broaden your vocabulary while you sharpen your academic and creative writing skills. Interaction with other students will help you to refine your thinking about the reading and writing as well. You will learn to write under time pressure, and have the opportunity to complete practice assignments that are similar to those you will find on the AP examination.

There are no prerequisites; you don’t have to take the AP exam to join the course. If you want to learn about literature and writing, this course is for you.

At a glance

  • Language: English
  • Video Transcript: English
  • Associated skills:Vocabulary, Writing, Creative Writing

What you'll learn

Skip What you'll learn
  • How to read and interpret great pieces of drama
  • Cultural and historical background of Shakespeare,Rostand, and Albee
  • Academic writing skills
  • Test-taking strategies

Syllabus

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Week 1: Introduction to Drama, Shakespeare 1
Overview of form and vocabulary
How can we understand plays?
Shakespeare: Moonlight Magic
Why do we still read Shakespeare?

Week 2: Shakespeare 2
Shakespeare's Fairies: Puck and Oberon
What are some techniques for reading plays?
Practice Test 1: Multiple Choice

Week 3: Rostand 1
Practice Test 2: Essay/Free Response
Cyrano de Bergerac: The Man Behind the Nose

Week 4: Rostand 2
Cyrano: Themes and Motifs
How do we come up with writing ideas?
Practice Test 3: Multiple Choice

Week 5: Albee 1
Introduction to George and Martha
How can we refine our written ideas?
Practice Test 4: Multiple Choice

Week 6: Writing about Drama & Albee 2
Defending a thesis with evidence
How can you succeed on the AP exam?
Practice Test 5: Essay/Free Response

Week 7: Final Exam Part 3

Ways to take this course

Choose your path when you enroll.

Certificate

Free

Price

$139 USD

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Access to course materials

Unlimited

Limited

World-class institutions and universities

edX support

Shareable certificate upon completion

Graded assignments and exams

Read our FAQsin a new tab about frequently asked questions on these tracks.

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