DRAM 1310 001: UNDERSTANDING THEATRE

MWF 11:00-11:50 AM
JO 4.102
SPRING 2006

Professor: Adrian Cook

Office: JO 3.902
Phone: 214-763-1332 (cell)
Office Hours: 12:00-1:00 PM MWF or by special appointment
E-mail: alc023000@utdallas.edu OR adriancook@gmail.com (preferred)

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.

Most importantly, the aim of Understanding Theatre is to produce informed and

appreciative audience members and to entice students to patronize Dallas theatre on a
regular basis.

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.

REQUIRED TEXT and MATERIALS______________________________________

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.

ANALYSIS ONE: There is Never a Reference Point

At UTD February 17-19 (DUE 20 February)
ANALYSIS TWO: An American Dream Play
At UTD March 31-April 9 (DUE 10 April)

6. (20%) Theatre Project: Students will complete a group theatre project

based upon that described in Chapter 15 in our book. Groups will be assigned by
midterm. More details to follow. Due by 19 APRIL
7. (20%) Midterm exam: 3 MARCH
8. (25%) Final exam: 1 May, 11:00 AM

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

TOTAL possible 1000 points

________________________________________________________________________

A = 90-100% 900-1000 points

B = 80-89% 800-899 points
C = 70-79% 700-799 points
D = 60-69% 600-699 points
F = 0-59% 0-599 points
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In this class, there will be NO discrimination based on race, ethnic origin, religion,
gender, age, sexual orientation, or physical challenge.

EMAIL POLICY___________________________________________________________

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO UTD STUDENTS: As of August 1, 2004, all email

correspondence with students will be sent ONLY to the student's U.T. Dallas email address.
U.T. Dallas provides each student with a free email account that is to be used in all
communication with university personnel. This allows the university to maintain a high
degree of confidence in the identity of all individuals corresponding and the security of the
transmitted information. The Department of Information Resources at U.T. Dallas provides a
method for students to forward email from other accounts to their U.T. Dallas address and
have their U.T. Dallas mail sent on to other accounts. Students may go to the following URL
to establish or maintain their official U.T. Dallas computer account: http://netid.utdallas.edu/

OFFICE HOURS and INSTRUCTOR AVAILABILITY_______________________

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 WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. Plagiarism is the representation of another

person’s work as your own, whether you mean to or not. For example, copying or
paraphrasing passages from another writer’s work without acknowledging that you’ve done
so is plagiarism. Allowing another writer to write any part of your essay is plagiarism.
Copying or purchasing a paper from any source is plagiarism.
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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.

We will begin our discussions promptly; please come ready to participate!

DISABILITY SERVICES ____________

Disability Services provides for the special needs of students with disabilities. Students
are urged to make their needs known to Disability Services as soon as they are admitted
to the university. The Office of Disability Services is located in the Student Union, (972)
883-2070. If you have special needs, you must make them available to me in writing.
The University of Texas at Dallas is an equal opportunity/affirmative action
university.
It is the policy of The University of Texas at Dallas that, to the extent provided by
applicable law, no person, including students, faculty, staff and temporary workers, shall
be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or be subjected to
discrimination under any program or activity sponsored or conducted by the university on
the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sex, veteran status, sexual
orientation or disability.
A complete policy statement regarding the UTD Equal Employment Opportunity/
Affirmative Action Program may be found at:
www.utdallas.edu/utdgeneral/business/admin_manual/pdf/d11300.pdf.
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CLASS ITINERARY_____________________________________________________

NOTE: The following is subject to change at the instructor’s discretion.

9 January INTRODUCTION

11 January Reading due; Arnold, “The Nature of Theatre”” and Chapter 1: “The
Impulse to Perform”

13 January Reading due; Arnold, Chapter 2: “Theatre and Society”

16 January Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – NO CLASS

18 January Special lecture topic: How to Analyze Theatre

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)

23 January Discuss Joe Turner’s Come and Gone.

25 January Reading due; Arnold, Chapter 4: “The Art of the Actor”

27 January Reading due; Arnold, Chapter 5: “The Director”

30 January Reading due; Arnold, Chapter 6: “The Designers”

1 February Design activity

3 February Reading due; Arnold, Chapter 7: “The Musical Theatre”

6 February Reading due; Arnold, “The Nature of Style…” and Chapter 8:

“Understanding Style: Realism”

8 February Reading due; Arnold, Chapter 9: “Expressing a Worldview Through

Realism”

10 February Discuss And the Soul Shall Dance

13 February Valentine’s Day Topic: Performing Verse

15 February Reading due; Arnold, Chapter 10: “Understanding Style:

Theatricalism”

17 February Reading due; Arnold, Chapter 11: “Expressing a Worldview Through

Theatricalism”
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20 February Critique Due: There is Never a Reference Point (discussion of

the production)

22 February Discuss Angels in America: Millennium Approaches

24 February Writing exercise (Headline Scenes)

27 February Scene readings

1 March Midterm Review

3 March MIDTERM

6 March -10 March SPRING BREAK – NO CLASS

13 March Reading due; Arnold, “The Nature of Genre: Structure and Genre” and
Chapter 12: “The Elements of Drama and Dramatic Structure”

15 March Chapter 12 con’t.

17 March Reading due; Arnold, Chapter 13: “Genre”

20 March Reading due; Arnold, Chapter 14: “Choosing a Genre: Comedy”

22 March Discuss Dog Lady

24 March Reading due; Arnold, Chapter 15: “The Project”

27 March Discuss Buried Child

29 March Project

1 April Project

3 April – 7 April Professor Cook performing in London – no class (please do

group work on your projects) – initial design presentations due
12 April

10 April Critique Due: An American Dream Play (discussion of the

production)

12 April Initial Design Presentations due

14 April Project

17 April Project
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19 April Project Presentations

21 April Project presentations

24 April Project presentations

26 April Project presentations

28 April Final review

1 May FINAL EXAM 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

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