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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Introduction to Who Wrote Shakespeare by University of London

4.7
stars
245 ratings

About the Course

This free course from the University of London explores critical thinking, and the interpretation of texts, through the Shakespeare authorship question. Using doubt about Shakespeare’s authorship as our playground, we will explore the key concept of authorship attribution, while developing skills in literary analysis, interpretation, and argument. Through forensic exploration of key texts, you will learn why Shakespeare’s authorship is questioned, and what evidence is cited on both sides of the debate. For those of you interested in exploring the works of Shakespeare from a new angle, or just wanting to hone your analytical thinking skills, this course offers an introduction to a fascinating area of interest. Those of you already interested in the Shakespeare authorship question will be encouraged to question your own assumptions in fruitful ways. Whether undertaken as a standalone course, or as preparation for the University of London BA in English, this course will be food for thought....

Top reviews

TA

May 18, 2020

Ros Barber did a wonderful job, opening my eyes to all kinds of possibilities! The experts she brought in were very knowledgeable as well as entertaining! Thanks to Coursera for making this a reality!

LS

Sep 13, 2020

A very well done, interesting and thought-provoking course that not only teaches the basics of the "non-Stratfordian" approach to the study of Shakespeare, but also encourages critical thinking.

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101 - 120 of 120 Reviews for Introduction to Who Wrote Shakespeare

By Tara A O

May 19, 2021

I absolutely loved this, Ros Barber: *new idol* 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

By SAYAD B S

Sep 4, 2020

i have no money. can you give certificate without money?

By Carol T

May 25, 2022

Intriguing and engaging. Thanks very much!

By Peter P

Mar 22, 2023

Fun class, and eye-opening, recommended

By SWAPNIL B

Dec 16, 2020

Helpful & interesting course

By Doria A

Nov 21, 2021

Simply excellent.

By Ishika S

Apr 21, 2022

It was amazing

By Ana G

Jan 29, 2024

Excellent!

By Sheila J

Oct 13, 2022

excellent

By ساره ي ا

Jan 10, 2021

thank

By Jim O

Jan 14, 2021

Intense course. Not for the mildly curious. Roz Barber's knowledge of the subject matter is truly encyclopedic. The quizzes at the end of each chapter are tough (maybe a little too tough) , so pay attention and think.

By Matias V

May 22, 2021

Great course! Although I was a little shocked that there was not a single woman being interviewed in the module conclussions. Are there no female scholars in this matter?

By Andy M

Jun 21, 2023

interesting course, good instructor. the material was varied while trying to be fair.

By Guillermo C F

Sep 7, 2020

Interesting course to learn more about Shakespeare's authorship.

By Carol C

Jan 22, 2024

Very interesting course. I enjoyed it a lot.

By Abin G S

Aug 12, 2020

Good course. Hoping for more.

By john c

Jun 9, 2021

I was just curious about the question, Who Wrote Shakespeare, not being attached to any view as to whether or not Shakespeare, as we are told about, was the sole author of the plays. The course seems to me to be mostly a somewhat gleeful and sometimes seemingly sarcastic debunking of lots of evidence cited in support of Shakespeare as the author. Given, it is just an introduction, but I would have liked some space given to debunking some of the suggested alternatives to Shakespeare to give the programme more balance, as the constant, negative, many times equally questionable, proofs that the facts are wrong, meant that the course, instead of presenting an uplifting, reasoned proposition for an open-minded learner, turned into a repetitive diatribe against the Stratfordians. The final statements, that I wholly concur with, about celebrating the continuing new understandings and new knowledge emerging from having a questioning approach was sadly missing from the majority of the course. The only celebratory statement came from Mark Rylance video when he talked about the delight he finds in the exploration of authorship and the backgrounds rather than just a destruction of another groups ideas. That the imagination is best stirred by celebratory, eclectic understandings and explorations, whether it be from a well-based truth, a questionable suggestion or an oft-repeated myth, rather than from an argument based on negativity, discredited ideas and academics reputations. In summary the course is an introduction to and addresses a very interesting issue but the fact that it seems to be almost totally driven by a minutely reasoned, monochromatic unrelenting naysaying philosophy, addressed principally to aggressive Stratfordians or people with a predilection to cognitive dissonance, rather than a open-hearted, open-minded, joyful exploration of the many possibilities that exist. Personally, although giving lots of information and offering many disputed facts, for me the whole has not been enjoyable or uplifting and certainly did not feel like I was in a playground - more like a boxing ring. Close reading and critical thinking can be fun, enlightening and both intellectually and spiritually enhancing, as can uncertainty but I nearly drowned in the deluge of negativity only being rescued by the optimism of Mark Rylance.

By Olivia T

Sep 4, 2022

Obviously created by someone who knows their history, HOWEVER it also seems biased. She only interviews non-Stratfordians, and arguments given in the lectures always end with the non-Stranfordian counterpoints, creating the idea that Stratfordians might not have a good counterpoint.

By Phil G

Mar 1, 2021

This course is laughable. Some critical thinking would be good, but there's not much in evidence here. It's absurdly one-sided. I recommend taking a look at this for a more serious discussion of the issue: http://bloggingshakespeare.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Shakespeare_Bites_Back_Book.pdf.

To add insult to injury, the Coursera website won't let me unenroll.

By Ali H

Feb 5, 2021

the explanation is not clear at all. I had to do my own research and do twice the work load to finish this course.