Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
MWF 11:00-11:50 AM
JO 4.102
SPRING 2006
COURSE OBJECTIVES__________________________________________________
This is a survey course designed to provide the student with an understanding and
appreciation of theatre as a living art form and as a social force in the world. This course
will focus on the narrative and interpretive properties of the theatre and stress the
importance of the form as a collaborative art. In addition to discussions of dramatic
structure, design, and realization, students will read full play texts and have the
opportunity to engage the theatrical process via a group production project.
It is important that you keep up with the reading as I will assume that assignments have
been read by the due date. Keeping up will maximize your performance in the class and
enable lecture/discussion time to provide you with supplementary material and examples
as opposed to a simple reiteration of the text. Additionally, knowing the textbook
material coming in will provide a groundwork for entering into “deeper” discussions of
the art of theatre.
Arnold, Stephanie. The Creative Spirit, 3rd Edition. McGraw-Hill: New York, 2004.
*Text is available at the on and off-campus bookstores
Students should also have a 3/12 inch floppy disc, a CDR or a thumb drive (i.e. memory
stick, USB drive) for storing written work and an active UTD e-mail account.
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COURSE REQUIREMENTS______________________________________________
Grading will be based upon the following:
1. Class attendance: final grade will be lowered 1/3 letter for each unexcused absence.
To receive an excused absence, a doctors’ form is required immediately upon the
student’s return to class.
2. Completion of all required readings. (NOTE: for all chapters with plays texts, the
reading assignment includes that text – so read the plays.)
3. (5%) In-class activities (scene writing exercise and verse acting)
4. (10%) Regular pop quizzes (based on lecture information and readings). Quizzes will
be given at any time during the class period and may not be made up for any
reason. A missed quiz due to tardiness will result in an unexcused absence.
5. (10% each) Analyses: each student must attend two theatre performances and write a
short analysis (2-3 pages) on each. A program and/or ticket must accompany each
analysis. Analyses must be typed, double-spaced, MLA format, on unruled paper,
and turned in IN CLASS. NO LATE PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED. A lecture
on how to write an analysis will be given in class, and an accompanying handout
will be provided. College level work is expected.
GRADING______________________________________________________________
In-class activities 2x25 points 50 points
Quizzes 5x20 points 100 points
There is Never a Reference Point analysis 100 points
An American Dream Play analysis 100 points
Theatre Project 200 points
Midterm Exam 200 points
Final Exam 250 points
In this class, there will be NO discrimination based on race, ethnic origin, religion,
gender, age, sexual orientation, or physical challenge.
EMAIL POLICY___________________________________________________________
Please note my office hours above. Once I have an office home for this term, I will give you
the room number and location. The above office hours will be consistently held. I will be
available following class each week, or I can meet with you at an alternative time by
arrangement. I am also quite willing to review work and answer questions via email. Do not
hesitate to contact me/send drafts, etc. HOWEVER, as I am only human and not a HAL-9000
computer, please do not send work for review the night before its due date. This is too late.
ATTENDANCE POLICY_________________________________________________
This is a survey course. As such, each discussion will build not only upon the readings
but upon former discussion. In class quizzes and participation count for a substantial
portion of your grade. Therefore, the importance of regular, punctual attendance cannot
be overstated. Each student is allowed 2 unexcused absences. The third will result in the
lowering of your final score by one full letter grade, each additional unexcused absence
lowers your score 1/3 letter grade per absence. Two tardies (10 minutes or more) will
count as one absence.
PLAGIARISM POLICY___________________________________________________
Plagiarism is a serious offense. The possible consequences range from failing the assignment
to failing the course, or worse. Each incident of plagiarism at UTD must be reported to the
administration. If you are not sure how to properly cite a quoted or paraphrased source, or if
you need help with the format of a citation, check with the New Century Handbook and/or
with your teacher. Although you can (and, in fact, should) seek help and advice from friends,
classmates, tutors, and others, be sure that your written work is your own. This is easier to
spot than you might think, so don’t try it!
See the Undergraduate Catalog for information about the consequences of Scholastic
Dishonesty, or view the policy here: http://www.utdallas.edu/student/slife/dishonesty.html.
DROP POLICY_________________________________________________________
See here for details on deadlines and procedures for dropping:
http://www.utdallas.edu/student/class/current/newpolicywpwf.htm
CLASS CONDUCT______________________________________________________
This class is highly driven by discussion and sharing of ideas. It is important at all times
that instructor and students alike feel free to openly discuss their views and give their
input. I will not tolerate rudeness, belittling or other forms of “verbal bullying” in the
classroom. If your behavior is disruptive you will be asked to leave.
Do not leave your trash in the classroom. Make sure that any drinks you bring are in re-
sealable containers. No food in the class without prior consent, please.
CLASS ITINERARY_____________________________________________________
9 January INTRODUCTION
11 January Reading due; Arnold, “The Nature of Theatre”” and Chapter 1: “The
Impulse to Perform”
20 January Reading due; Arnold, “The Nature of Performance” and Chapter 3: “The
Playwright’s Vision” including Joe Turner’s Come and Gone by August
Wilson (65-125)
3 March MIDTERM
13 March Reading due; Arnold, “The Nature of Genre: Structure and Genre” and
Chapter 12: “The Elements of Drama and Dramatic Structure”
29 March Project
1 April Project
14 April Project
17 April Project
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