The Art of Being “Better Strangers”: Shakespeare’s Comedies

Lifelong Learning | Registration opens 4/28/2026 1:00 PM EDT

5/26/2026 (one day)
9:00 AM-9:15 AM EDT on Tue
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The Art of Being “Better Strangers”: Shakespeare’s Comedies

Lifelong Learning | Registration opens 4/28/2026 1:00 PM EDT

Among the most famous and discussed plays of all time, Shakespeare’s stories of love, and often disguise, are woven deeply into our cultural fabric.  In a few weeks’ time, we will explore Shakespeare’s theater, style, recurring themes, and five of his classics – from the magical to the problematic.  We will see the challenges of romance, virtuous men, strong willed women, quick talking clowns, and a few nasty villains. 

 

The plays will include As You Like It (where the quote in the course’s name comes from), The Taming of the Shrew, Much Ado About Nothing, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and All’s Well That Ends Well.  Our discussions will be supplemented with brief sections of filmed productions.  A copy of each play will be available as a downloadable pdf.

Young, Michael
Michael Young

With a Ph. D. in Writing and Literature from the University of Cincinnati, Michael Young has taught at schools such as the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, Kansas State University, Robert Morris University, and La Roche University .  His Masters is from Kansas State and Bachelors is from Duquesne University. 

 

He is an award-winning teacher and author of creative non-fiction, along with publications as a poet and short story writer. Recently, he added professional educational consultant to his resume.   In addition, he has many articles and essays in peer reviewed journals, anthologies, and encyclopedias – including a couple in the MLA Approaches to Teaching series.  His scholarly works range from Writing Pedagogy, Shakespeare, American Literature, Canadian Literature, Pedagogy, to Media (Cinema and Television), plus presentations at more than 90 conferences – including those in History and Sociology – such as CCCC, NCTE, NEMLA, and MMLA. He has been awarded a number of grants, notably by the Canadian Government, and has been included in Who's Who in America.