Code: THTR 135 Title: Musical Theater

SYLLABUS

CODE : THTR 135 TITLE : Musical Theater

DIVISION : Arts & Communication DEPARTMENT : Theater

COURSE DESCRIPTION : The history of the American Musical Theater will be studied in depth, beginning with the imported Operetta and English Music Hall tradition and ending with current trends in the theater. Students will be presented with a thorough discussion of Vaudeville, Minstrel Shows, Musical Comedy and Musical Theater with an emphasis on the most important shows, performers, composer/lyricists, directors, choreographers and other theater professionals. There will also be a discussion of the impact of major social events upon the creative community, including the two World Wars, the Great Depression (including the WPA) and the social upheavals of the 1960s.

PREREQUISITES : None

COREQUISITES : None

CREDITS : 3 LECTURE CREDITS : 0 LAB CREDITS : 0

LAB HOURS : 0

REQUIRED MATERIALS : None.

ADDITIONAL TIME REQUIREMENTS : Students are required to listen to ten complete cast recordings of Broadway musicals and write a one page opinion report on each. This assignment will take approximately two hours per week.

Also, students are required to attend one performance of a Broadway musical in New York and to write an opinion report on the performance. This assignment, including travel time, will take approximately six hours.

INTENDED COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES/COURSE GOALS (CORE COMPETENCIES) :

Upon the successful completion of this course, the student will be able to understand and examine the unique importance of the Musical Theater and the influence it holds on all other aspects of American culture.

Students who complete this course will have demonstrated competence in the following BCC Core Competencies:

Musical Theater

Communication and Creative Expression – The student will demonstrate an understanding of how the musical theater has woven self expression into an artistic, creative and emotional form, by the combination of music and drama.

Historical/Societal Analysis – The student will demonstrate an understanding of and appreciation for the cultural importance of the musical theater through a concentrated study of the lives of the most significant composer/lyricists and performers.

November 2005 SYLLABUS Information and Technological Literacy – The student will be required to collect, analyze, organize and evaluate information from a variety of sources in order to present to the class a introduction to assigned pieces.

Personal Development – The student will demonstrate an appreciation of the discipline, concentration and competitive nature of a professional career in the theater.

UNIT TOPICS AND/OR UNIT OUTCOME (OBJECTIVES) : OPTIONAL

Students will be tested to identify the significance of the most important shows, performers, composer/lyricists, directors, choreographers and other theater professionals.

GRADING STANDARD :

MUSICAL THEATER

Attendance and Class Participation 125 points Performance Review 125 points “Special Friend” Presentation 125 points Three Tests 75 points each

FINAL GRADE

POINTS GRADE

450 – 500 A 435 – 449 B+ 400 - 434 B 385 – 399 C+ 350 – 384 C 300 - 349 D 0 - 299 F

DEPARTMENT POLICIES :

COLLEGE POLICIES : For information regarding:  Brookdale’s Academic Integrity Code  Student Conduct Code  Student Grade Appeal Process

Please refer to the STUDENT HANDBOOK AND BCC CATALOG .

NOTIFICATION FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES : Brookdale Community College offers reasonable accommodations and/or services to persons with disabilities. Students with disabilities who wish to self-identify, must contact the Disabilities Services Office at 732-224-2730 or 732-842-4211 (TTY), provide appropriate documentation of the disability, and request specific accommodations or services. If a student qualifies, reasonable accommodations and/or services, which are appropriate for the college level and are recommended in the documentation, can be approved.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT/LABS :

Instructor John Bukovec

November 2005 SYLLABUS Instructor Keith Heimann

November 2005