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Syllabus

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Lander University
Theatre 450 Course Syllabus

Department of Mass Communications and Theatre
Semester:  Fall 2006
Professor:  Dr. Dale Osborn Rains
Office Hours:  12:45-1:15 pm and by appointment 3:45-4:15 pm on Wednesdays in CC 254.
Home Phone:  864/833-1649
E-Mail Address:  rains1649@charter.net

Course Web Page: http://lutheatre.tripod.com 

Note: If you do not have access to the Internet at home, you may use the computers in the Jackson Library to do your Web homework.

The course web page listed above will be used for two purposes.

(1)   Announcements: Any announcements of importance for the next class meeting will be posted on the first page of the web page during the week and before 12:00 on Friday each week. Always check the web page by 12:00 noon on Friday so that you will not miss any important information for the following class day.

(2)   Assignments: Several reading assignments given in the syllabus will be found on the Web. The syllabus will give you the information as to where to find these assignments.

I.                   Course
¨
      Theatre 450. Theatre History, Literature, Theory and Criticism.
¨      3 sem hrs. 1:15-3:45 pm, Wednesdays
¨      Room # CC 254.

II.            Catalog Descriptions:

250: Study of historical developments in the theatre, including the physical development of the theatre, dramatic theory, form, structure and style. Playwriting, playwrights, representative plays, acting, actors, styles of production from the time of Greek Classicism through the Medieval period. Students are expected to demonstrate competence in knowledge of theatre as a social and aesthetic experience and how it functions in everyday life. Required for major. Three semester hours.

                350: A continuation of Theatre 250 with emphasis upon the Neoclassical Period through the Romantic period. Prerequisite THTR 250. Required for major. Three semester hours.

                450: A continuation of Theatre 350 with emphasis upon Realism and its derivatives and departures. Prerequisite: THTR 350. Required for majors. Three semester hours.

III.            Course Text Books:

¨       Edwin Wilson and Alvin Goldfarb, Living Theatre: A History.

¨       Edwin Wilson and Alvin Goldfarb, Anthology of Living Theater.

 

IV.                   Course Status and Program Objectives

 

(Only the goals relevant to this course are listed here. See the Lander Catalog for a complete list of General Education goals and program goals.)

 

General Education Category:  Not applicable

Status in Major: Theatre Emphasis major program requirement.

 

COURSE GOALS

MAJOR PROGRAM OBJECTIVES ADDRESSED BY COURSE GOALS

The student will be able to describe the major developments in theater history, including English-language theater in the 19th century, the realistic movement in Europe and America, alternatives to realism in Europe and America, European and Latin-American theater in the 20th century, English-language theater in the 20th century, contemporary theater in Europe and the Americas, African theater, Asian theater.

The Mass Communication and Theater graduate is expected to have:

 

4) an understanding of the historical, ethical, and legal issues related to the student’s chosen emphasis area.

The student will be able to describe the major developments of all the above periods in terms of scenic practices, acting, staging, theater architecture, theatre design, lighting, directing, play writing, theater management, audiences, rehearsal and performance.

4) an understanding of the historical, ethical and legal issues related to the student’s chosen emphasis area.

The student will be able to describe the major developments of all the above periods in terms of dramatic form, structure, style, theory and criticism.

2) an ability to analyze and critically evaluate a variety of messages produced in a number of different media.

The student will be able to interpret and evaluate dramatic works in terms of artistic worth, to utilize the techniques of critical analysis, to establish relationships among social, political, religious, economic, technological, and artistic forces in the development of the theater and its dramatic works, to interpret and evaluate differing viewpoints held by various theatre scholars in regard to the evidences that have lead to those viewpoints.

 

2) an ability to analyze and critically evaluate a variety of messages produced in a number of different media.

 

V.          Course Rationale

 

Students of theater including actors, dancers, scenographers, technicians, and dramaturgs as well as those persons who are simply interested in theater for art’s sake must be aware of the history, literature, and criticism of the theater in order to appreciate their art for what it was and to appreciate what it is now and can be in the future. Such appreciation will make them better theatricians, regardless of their specific interest in theater.

VI.           Course Methodology:

The course teaching strategies will include lectures, discussions, group work, video presentations, Power Point presentations, research, critiques, and tests.

VII         Assignments

¨      Read and discuss assigned textbook material.

¨      Read (or view) and discuss designated play scripts and videotape presentations.

¨       Report on each play script read and each videotape play viewed.

¨       One major research paper on an assigned topic. (Term Paper Topic: You will write a paper of at least five typewritten pages in length comparing and contrasting the plays of the realistic movement with the plays that are considered alternatives to realism.

¨      Tests as scheduled.

¨      Final examination. (Note: There will be no exemption from the final examination.) 

 

VIII.                Evaluations

·         Value of graded work:

·         Value of grades:

 

¨       Tests 40%

¨       90-100 = A

¨       Play/video reports & acting exercise 10%

¨       80-89 = B

¨       Research paper 25%

¨       70-79 = C

¨       Final examination 25%

¨       60-69 = D

 

¨       0-59 = F

 IX.              Class policies

¨       Class periods: The class will meet one day a week for 150 minutes. This time will be divided into three fifty-minute periods.

¨      Absences and tardies: The student will be allowed unexcused absences for six fifty-minute class periods. For example, if the student misses one entire class, that absence will be counted as three, but if a student misses only one of the three fifty-minute periods, he/she will be debited for only one fifty-minute absence. (Note: Students are responsible for the material covered and for all assignments, whether or not they are present or absent.) Three tardies will count as one fifty-minute absence.

¨      Deadlines: No credit will be given for assignments submitted after their deadlines.

¨      Research: Much of the research the student will do for research assignments will be done using the book, periodical, and video facilities of the library. Because the internet may or may not be a reliable source for the student’s research, the internet may be used for research only if the URLs are shared with the professor far enough in advance for him to check them out to be sure the sources are sufficiently reliable. The professor must approve any other sources consulted for research.

¨      Lander’s Honor Code: I remind you of Lander University’s Honor Code (see the 2002-03 Catalog and the student hand book. There will probably be no need to invoke the honor code, but if the need should arise, be assured that it will indeed be invoked.

¨      Plagiarism: Plagiarism is the presentation of words or ideas of others as if they were one’s own words or ideas. Plagiarism will not be allowed, and anyone guilty of plagiarism will be given a zero for any assignment containing plagiarism. Remember, always cite your sources.

¨      Lander’s Inclement Weather Policy: (1) “While it is obvious that you need to be in class if you intend to get any benefit our of your attendance at Lander University, it is obvious as well that there are times when you do well not to attend. I would like to encourage you not to risk life and limb to come to campus in bad weather. You are the one to decide if the weather is bad enough for you to stay home. You are responsible for your learning. I am confident that you use this policy in a responsible manner. (2) Whenever classes are canceled, Lander will inform TV and radio stations. The easiest way for you to find out, however, is to call 388-8000, the Lander Automated Telephone system. Should classes be canceled, that message will precede any other. (3) Since many of you live in residence halls, the University will never close altogether but will provide all services to the extent possible.” (From “Syllabus Guidelines” issued by Lander University.”

¨      Play-script assignments: The play scripts assigned will be found in Anthology of Living Theater or online as assigned.

¨      Learning disabilities: If a student has a learning disability and needs reasonable accommodations to complete his/her work satisfactorily , the student must consult with Mr. Lafayette Harrison in LC 345. The student must provide him with documentation. He will then alert professors of your special needs.

¨      Cell phones, etc. Cell phones and other unapproved electronic devices (e. g., pagers, IPods, MP3 Players, and the like) are to be turned off before the class (lab, clinical, etc.) and shall remain off for the duration of the class. If there is an extenuating circumstance which requires the cell phone to be on during a class, the student must obtain permission prior to the class from the instructor to leave the phone on vibrate. Cell phones are not to be visible or used at any time, especially not during quizzes or exams. Each instructor reserves the right to further restrict use of cell phones in class and to determine the consequences of not following this policy. Use of any of the above mentioned devices during an exam will be viewed by the instructor as an attempt to cheat.

¨      Mid-Term Grades. Mid-term grades will be posted on WebCat. Students should realize that this grade is only used to indicate their approximate progress at the point in time that the grade is issued.

 

Classes and Assignments

 

Date

Period

Class Activity

Assignment

Aug 23

1

Introduction to Course

 

2

Discussion: From Pre-Historic Times to Medieval Europe

 

3

Discussion: The Renaissance

 

Aug 30

1

Discussion: Theater and the Puritans

Read: Chapter 9, pp. 277-279

2

Discussion: English Restoration Theater

Read:  Chapter 9, pp. 280-307

Web: Restoration>Restoration Drama

3

Discussion: 18th Century English Drama

Read: Chapter 10 pp. 308-348

Web: Restoration> 18th Century Drama

Sep 06

1

Discussion: The Rivals

Read: The Rivals (Web:  Restoration>The Rivals)

Web: English Theater>Restoration>Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Due: Report on The Rivals

2

Discussion: Realism

Read: Text, pp. 403-406

3

Discussion: Ibsen and Realism

 

Sep 13

1

Test 1

Covering:

(1)     Pre-Historic Times Through the Renaissance,

(2)     Theater and the Puritans,

(3)     English Restoration Theater,

(4)     18th Century English Drama,

(5)     Sheridan and The Rivals.

2

Discussion: A Doll’s House

 

 

 

Read: A Doll’s House
Web:
Ibsen>Biography

Web: Ibsen>About a Doll’s House

Web: Ibsen>Character Descriptions

Web: Ibsen>Themes
Web: Ibsen>Essay: Nora and Antigone

Due:  Report on The Rivals

3

Discussion: Anton Chekhov

 

Sep 20

1

Discussion: The Cherry Orchard

Read: The Cherry Orchard

Web: Chekhov>Biography

Web: Chekhov>Cherry Orchard>Context

Web: Chekhov>Cherry Orchard>Character

Web: Chekhov>Cherry Orchard>Analysis

Web: Chekhov>Cherry Orchard>Themes

Web: Chekhov>Cherry Orchard>Facts

Due:  Report on The Cherry Orchard

2

Discussion: Realistic Acting and Scenography

Read: Text, pp. 214-218

3

Discussion: Departures from Realism

Read: Text, pp. 418-430,441-446

Sep 27

1

Discussion: A Dream Play

Read: A Dream Play

Web: Strindberg>Biography

Web: Strindberg>Self Interview

Web: Strindberg>Dream Play>Essay
Web: Strindberg>Dream Play> Strindberg on A Dream Play

Due:  Report on A Dream Play

2

3

Discussion: Other Departures from Realism/Brecht

Read: Text, pp. 446-453

Oct 04

1

Discussion: The Good Woman of Setzuan

Read: The Good Woman of Setzuan

Web: Brecht>Biography

Web: Brecht>Epic Theater

Web: Brecht>Dramatic Theater

Web: Brecht>Theory of Drama

Web: Brecht>GWS>Questions
Web: Brecht>GWS>Analysis

Due:  Report on The Good Woman of Setzuan

2

Discussion: Post-War Experimental Theater

Read: Text, pp. 480-495

3

Discussion: Krapp’s Last Tape

Read: Krapp’s Last Tape

Web: Beckett>Introduction

Web: Beckett>My Friend

Web: Beckett>Biography

Web: Beckett>KLT Introduction

Due:  Report on Krapp’s Last Tape

Oct 11

1

Test 2

Covering:

(1)     Ibsen and Realism, 

(2)     A Doll’s House,

(3)     Anton Chekhov,

(4)    The Cherry Orchard,

(5)     Realistic Acting and Scenography, Departures from Realism,

(6)     Sheridan,

(7)     A Dream Play

(8)     Other Departures from Realism

(9)     Brecht

(10) The Good Woman of Setzuan

(11) Post War Experimental Theater

(12) Beckett

(13) Krapp’s Last Tape

2

Discussion: Early American Theater

Read: Text, pp. 446-453

3

Discussion:  Post War Developments in American Theater

Read: Text, pp. 501-518

Oct 18

1

Discussion: Contemporary American Theater

Read: Text, pp. 520-547

2

Discussion: The Glass Menagerie

Read: The Glass Menagerie

Web: Williams>Biography

Web: Williams>Context

Web: Williams>Characters

Web: Williams>Themes

Web: Williams>Questions
Web: Williams>Facts
Due:  Report on The Glass Menagerie

3

Oct 25

1

Test 3

Covering:

(1)     Early American Theater,

(2)     Post War Experimental Theater,

(3)     Post War Developments in American Theater,

(4)     Beckett,

(5)     Krapp’s Last Tape,

(6)     Williams,

(7)     The Glass Menagerie

2

Discussion: Joe Turner’s Come and Gone

Due: Term Paper
Read:
Joe Turner’s Come and Gone
Web: Beckett>Biography

Web: Beckett>Introduction

Web: Beckett>Style

Web: Beckett>Characters (Individual)

Web: Beckett>Historical Context

Web: Beckett>Themes

Due:  Report on Joe Turner’s Come and Gone

3

Discussion: Alternative American Theater

Read: Text, pp. 546-560

Nov 01

1

View: Rebecca

 

2

3

Discussion: Rebecca

 

Nov 08

1

Discussion: The Mystery of Irma Vep

Due:  Report on Rebecca

Read: The Mystery of Irma Vep
Web: Ludlum>Study Guide

Due:  Report on Irma Vep

2

3

Nov 15

1

Test 4  (In library)

Covering:

(1)     Contemporary American Theater,

(2)     Wilson,

(3)     Joe Turner’s Come and Gone,

(4)     Alternative American Theater

(5)     Rebecca

(6)     Ludlum

(7)     Mystery of Irma Vep

2

3

Nov 22

Thanksgiving Holiday

Nov 29

1

Discussion: Blue Heart

Read: Blue Heart

Web: Churchill>Biography

Web: Churchill>Churchill’s Feminism

Due:  Report on Blue Heart

2

3

Dec 06

FINAL EXAMINATION: 2:00 pm

 

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