Casper College Course Syllabus s4

Casper College Course Syllabus THEA 2010: Theatrical Backgrounds Drama I

Fall 2015

Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Credit Hours: 3 Class Time: 1:00-1:50 PM Days: M-W-F Room: KT 118

Instructor: Dr. William Conte Office Phone: 268-3117 Email: Office Hours: KT 103 [email protected] M-Th 10:00 AM-1:00 PM or by appt.

Course Description: First semester of a one-year course. A study of plays from the major periods of dramatic literature. This course will cover from the Greeks through the Restoration.

Prerequisites: THEA 1000 or THEA 1010.

Goal: On the foundations established in THEA 1010, students will have expanded their knowledge and understanding of theatrical literature, theory, history, and practice from Antiquity through the Early Modern Era. Students also will have added to their repertoire of plays and will have improved their command of the literature of the periods under consideration.

Outcomes: By means of the study of theatrical history, theory, and literature, students will possess the ability to solve problems using critical thinking and creativity; demonstrate knowledge of diverse cultures and historical perspectives; appreciate aesthetic and creative activities; and use appropriate technology and information to conduct research.

Course Objectives: Students will be able to recognize and discuss the impact of science, technology, philosophy, religion, and politics on the history and development of the theatre; they will understand the differences in the use of theatre over time and across the world; they will be able to analyze dramatic literature in terms of its historical context and recognize its relevance in our world today; and they will be able to ask and answer questions about the theatre as both cultural artifact and ongoing cultural process.

Methodology: Lecture, demonstration, live presentation, and video constitute the methodology of this course.

Evaluation Criteria: Two (2) content-based examinations (midterm and final); three (3) response papers. Each assignment is worth 20% of your grade. Students who show consistent evidence of preparation and who participate regularly will receive a half-grade bonus at the end of the term. Response may take the form of a literary/historical analysis, a description of the concept and mise-en-scene of one of the plays, a performance of a scene or monologue from one of the plays, with written justification of the actors’ choices, or a plan for costume or set designs. Essay prompts and assignment formats will be discussed well in advance of deadlines, and students will have the opportunity to consult with the instructor in class as they develop their projects. Casper College may collect samples of student work demonstrating achievement of the above outcomes. Any personally identifying information will be removed from student work.

Required Texts: Stages of Drama, Carl H. Klaus et al. eds.; The Oxford Illustrated History of Theatre, John Russell Brown ed.; A Source Book in Theatrical History, A.M. Nagler ed.

Class Policies: Last Date to Change to Audit Status or to Withdraw with a W Grade is November 12. Students are expected to arrive on time and to be prepared for class by having completed the readings assigned for that particular session. Students are expected to meet the deadlines for all written assignments; late papers will be penalized a full letter grade. Without presenting evidence of a medical or family emergency, no student will be allowed to reschedule the midterm or the final examination. Cheating of any kind will be met with an automatic grade of F for the assignment and referral to the Behavioral Intervention Team. PLEASE DO NOT SEND OR RECEIVE TEXT MESSAGES DURING CLASS: IT IS RUDE. Casper College may collect samples of student work demonstrating achievement of the above outcomes. Any personally identifying information will be removed from student work.

Student Rights and Responsibilities: Please refer to the Casper College Student Conduct and Judicial Code for information concerning your rights and responsibilities as a Casper College Student.

Chain of Command: If you have any problems with this class, you should first contact the instructor to attempt to solve the problem. If you are not satisfied with the solution offered by the instructor, you should then take the matter through the appropriate chain of command starting with the Department Head/Program Director, the Dean, and lastly the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Academic Dishonesty - Cheating & Plagiarism: Casper College demands intellectual honesty. Proven plagiarism or any form of dishonesty associated with the academic process can result in the offender failing the course in which the offense was committed or expulsion from school. See the Casper College Student Code of Conduct.

ADA Accommodations Policy: It is the policy of Casper College to provide appropriate accommodations to any student with a documented disability. If you have a need for accommodation in this course, please make an appointment to see me at your earliest convenience.

Course Schedule: Week 1 (Aug. 24): Mon., Course Introduction; Wed. and Fri., lecture on Greek Theatre (OHT “Greek Theatre” 13-48; SD 1656-1662 “On the Nature and Elements of Tragedy”; SBTH 3-16). Week 2 (Aug. 31): For Mon. read in SD Agamemnon; for Fri. read The Bacchae. Week 3 (Sept.7): NO CLASS Sept. 7; for Wed.-Fri. read in SD Lysistrata. Week 4 (Sept. 14): Mon., lecture on Roman Theatre (OHT “Theatre in Roman and Christian Europe” 49-62; SBTH 18-34) for Wed. read in SD A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Wedding. Week 5 (Sept. 21): Mon., lecture on Medieval Theatre (OHT “Theatre in Roman and Christian Europe” 62-92; SBTH 39-58); for Wed. read in SD The Second Shepherds’ Play. Week 6 (Sept. 28): Ludus de Passione (“The Play of the Passion”) (handout). Response Paper #1 due Friday. Week 7 (Oct. 5): Mon.- Wed., lecture on the Humanist Revival (OHT “Italian Renaissance Theatre” 107-141; “Spanish Renaissance Theatre” 142-172; SBTH 57-67, 71-102); for Fri. read Fuente Ovejuna (“The Sheep Well”) (handout). Week 8 (Oct. 12): Mon., Midterm review; Midterm Examination Wed. 10/14. Week 9 (Oct. 19): NO CLASS Oct. 19. Wed, lecture on the Enlightenment (OHT “French Renaissance and Neo-Classical Theatre” 220-251, SBTH 167-196 ). Response Paper #2 due Fri. Week 10 (Oct. 26): For Mon. read in The Cid (handout) For Fri. read in SD The Misanthrope. Week 11 (Nov. 2): Wed.-Fri., lecture on Elizabethan Theatre (OHT “English Renaissance and Restoration Theatre” 173-219; SBTH 113-158; SD “On Time and Place, On Comedy and Tragedy 1662-1664). Week 12 (Nov. 9): For Mon. read in SD Dr. Faustus. For Fri. read in SD Much Ado About Nothing. Week 13 (Nov. 16): For Mon. read in SD Volpone. Week 14 (Nov. 23): Monday, pause for breath. Thanksgiving Recess: NO CLASS 11/25-27. Week 15 (Nov. 30): For Mon. read in SD The Rover. Week 16 (Dec. 7): For Mon. read in SD The School for Scandal. Week 17 (Dec. 14):Final Examination. Response Paper #3 due.