Frederick
Community College
DR101 Introduction to Theatre
Fall 2008
Instructor
Information:
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Name: Julie Herber |
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E-mail: jherber@frederick.edu |
Phone Number:
301-639-2408 |
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Campus Mail Box Number: #211 located in room A109 in the
Administration Building |
Course
Information:
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Credits: 3 |
Last Day to Drop: November 3, 2008 |
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Prerequisites:
EN52, EN50A |
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Meeting Day(s): |
Meeting Time(s): |
Course
Description:
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This course introduces the history or drama and the theatre
through reading, viewing and discussing plays. |
Core
Learning Outcomes:
Students
completing this course will be able to:
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1.
1.
Write and speak effective, organized, clear, and
grammatically correct English appropriate for the subject of theatre, the
purpose of the class, and the other students in class. |
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2.
2.
Demonstrate the ability to understand and interpret both
written texts and oral presentations in English. |
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3.
3. Understand
the critical role of listening in communication. |
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4.
4. Research,
analyze, compare, synthesize, and draw inferences from readings and other
research materials in order to make valid judgements and rational decisions. |
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5.
5. Demonstrate
a disposition toward critical thinking. |
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6.
6. Demonstrate
a general knowledge of the history, culture, society and relationships within
the parameters of the theatre |
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7.
7. Display
historical awareness and demonstrate an understanding of contemporary issues
within their historical and cultural context with regards to classic and
contemporary theatre. |
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8.
8. Use
the technology of a changing world. |
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9.
9. Evaluate
historical, cultural, political and ethical issues related to the application
of technology as it pertains to theatre. |
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10. 10. Have
access to computer systems, video and other instruments of modern technology
appropriate to demonstrate an understanding of theatre. |
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11. 11. Be able to identify and evaluate moral
issues and conflicts in the realm of theatre. |
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12. 12. Display
academic honesty. |
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13. 13. Value
the importance and responsibility of the individual. |
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14. 14. Understand
the need for lifelong learning and its applicability to their educational
goals. |
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15. 15. Acknowledge
a plurality of cultural and personal values and will demonstrate respect for
the right of others to express their viewpoints. |
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16. 16. Be able to examine a global issue/event
from multiple perspectives. |
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17. 17. Recognize
the importance of language in understanding cultural differences. |
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18. 18. Be able to work cooperatively in groups
with diverse membership and contribute to the group’s efforts with ideas and
suggestions. |
Additional
Outcomes: (if desired)
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The Essential Theatre, Oscar G. Brockett. |
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The Bedford Introduction to Drama, Jacobus, etc. |
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Videos, websites and plays: |
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A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen (in the Bedford Collection) Lysistrata by Aristophanes (in the Bedford Collection) Twighlight: Los Angeles by Anna Deavere Smith (text will
be available electronically) |
Tests / Papers /
Projects
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Point Value
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Final
Grade Scale |
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2 Reviews (100 points each) |
200 |
A 450-500 B 400-449 C 350-399 D 300-349 |
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Final Exam/Project |
100 |
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Class Assignments |
200 |
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Total
Points |
500 |
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Grades for all class assignments will be posted on the
Blackboard site as they are graded. By week six, students will be able to
assess their performance by viewing grades from the first five assignments. |
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All assignments are due by the due date and time. Late assignments will have 5 points
subtracted per week. |
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Class |
Subject |
Content |
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1 |
Introduction, Audience |
Chapter 2 |
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2 |
Producers, Directors and Acting |
Chapters 12 & 13 |
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3 |
Theatre Spaces
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Chapter 10, pgs. 283-291 |
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4 |
Lysistrata by
Aristophanes |
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5 |
Production Design |
Chapter 10, pgs. 291-302, Chapters 14 & 16 |
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6 |
The Playwright
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Chapter 11 |
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7 |
Twilight:
Los Angeles by Anna Deavere Smith |
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8 |
Review Week |
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9 |
Greek, Roman and
Medieval Theatre
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Chapter 4 |
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10 |
Renaissance |
Chapter 5 |
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11 |
Melodrama to
Realism
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Chapter 6 |
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12 |
A Doll’s
House by Henrik Ibsen
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13 |
Reevaluation and Subsidization |
Chapter 8 |
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14 |
Contemporary Diversity |
Chapter 9
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15 |
Final Projects
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Your e-mail will be available to all students in this class.
If you wish your home e-mail to remain confidential, please find a site such as
“hotmail” or the like to create a new e-mail address that you may use for the
purposes of this class.
Each Friday, assignments will be posted to the Blackboard.
Typically, assignments are due the following Thursday, however, please be make
sure to check, as the assignment due dates may change. There may be weeks that
there are certain parts of an assignment due throughout the week.
Many of our assignments can be completed on the assignments
board in Blackboard. Some, however, will need to be submitted separately
(reviews, etc.) Please attach any papers and reviews to the Digital Dropbox. Assignments emailed to me will not be graded.
Students must attend at least 2 theatrical productions
throughout the semester and submit a review for each. These performances must be a professional or college production. These two reviews are MANDATORY for passing
this course.
The review should be 2-3 pages and should
include all of the following:
1. A BRIEF synopsis -- one or two paragraphs is
enough.
2. A critique of the lead actors or in the case
of a small cast, all of the actors.
3. A critique of the lighting
4. A critique of the stage setting
5. A critique of the costume design
7. A critique of the sound design
8. Your overall thoughts about the play
Please follow these guidelines. The more
specific you can be, the better. Pick up a New York
Times or a Washington Post and read their theatre reviews to get an idea of how
a review should read if you have never seen one.
Details regarding the final projects will be
distributed by the 13th week of class.
One page theatrical reviews by the student will
be accepted for extra credit after completion of the mandatory assigned
reviews. These performances may include community theatre productions. Extra
point reviews will be worth a maximum of 20 points each. Students may not
receive credit for more than two. Notification must be given to the instructor
before attending the performance.