Theatre 332 (W): Sex & Race in Plays & Films: Dramatizing Diversity
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Theatre 332 (W): Sex & Race in Plays & Films: Dramatizing Diversity (GER 4C & 6) di·ver·si·ty n 1. a variety of something such as opinion, color, or style 2. ethnic variety and socioeconomic and gender variety, in a group, society, or institution 3. discrepancy, or a difference from what is normal or expected Professor: FJ Tanglao-Aguas, PBK224, Office Hours: X:XX-Y:YYPM, [email protected]. 1-2684, on FB and Twitter Course Description: Study of socio-cultural history and aesthetics of plays and films dramatizing cultural, ethnic, racial, and national pluralism in order to perform/produce a play/show/film. This dual approach prepares students to critically analyze and assess the position and value of cultural pluralism in constructing national identity and society. Through this study, students should be able to discern the relationship between (a) media portrayal and (b) societal consideration of diversity, empowering them to express their self-discerned position artistically. Fulfillment of GER 4C: 1. The course is designed to explore cultural pluralism and diversity as students investigate the milieu of plays and films dramatizing diversity. 2. Course material emphasizes critical events, institutions, ideas, or literary/artistic achievements; and 3 . Material exhibits the intersections and divergences of inter and cross-cultural experiences in a plethora of societies. Fulfillment of GER 6: 1. Students will study the artistic process of creating works of theatre, performance art, and film. 2. Students will engage in written and practical project assignments requiring artistic choices. 3. Students apply their comprehension of creative theatre and film theory by creating works of film and theatre. Attendance Policy: Attendance is mandatory. Appropriate deductions from participation grade: Absence (3%), Tardy beyond 15 minutes, below half of class (2%), and 15 minute Tardy (1%). For an absence to be excused, students must present a letter from the Dean of Students. Course Requirements: Students must submit and complete all requirements in order to pass the course. Late work attains a deduction of a third of a letter grade for every day that it is late. There is no make up work for quizzes and class participation. For group work, students submit grade for all team members including themselves for inclusion in instructor’s grade calculation. • Project 1, producing diversity: 20% Students produce and perform in a play, film, or performance exhibiting their understanding of critical theory and creative techniques of film and theatre. • Project 2, analyzing plays and communities of diversity: 20% Students are grouped to research and report on the sociopolitical history of a selected play/film and the community from which it emanates in American society. • Project 3, teaching diversity: 20% This is an individual written proposal project. Students justify the inclusion in the course syllabus of a play/film and the community of diversity it dramatizes (of their own selection.) The project entails the writing of a course unit proposal detailing how the student would teach their selected play/film and community. Students have the opportunity of presenting their self-designed unit to the entire class. • 10 Critical Analysis Essays: 20% Students write ten 2-paged thesis papers on a topic or question regarding the assigned play and theoretical reading of the week. • In-Class Creative Exercises and Discussions 20% Students are graded on the quality of their oral arguments exhibiting critical analysis skills and theoretical comprehension. Required Texts: Imagined Communities by Benedict Anderson Edward Said Reader, edited by Moustafa Bayoumi and Andrew Rubin New Native American Drama by Hanay Geiogamah Zootsuit and other Plays, by Luis Valdez Model Apartment by Donald Margulies Topdog/Underdog by Suzan Lori Parks When the Purple Settles by Francis Tanglao-Aguas 3 Dramatizing Diversity/Tanglao-Aguas Spring 2007 Course Schedule: (Please attend class ready to discuss reading material listed for that session.) Theoretical Readings Film Screenings/Play Readings Deadlines & Assignments 1 Jan 25 Course Introduction Finding the Circle: American Indian Dance Theatre (video) 2 Jan 30 Feb 1 IMAGINED COMMUNITIES When The Purple Settles by Francis Essay #1 1&2. Introduction & Cultural Tanglao-Aguas (play reading and Roots video) 3. Origins of National Passing Through film screening Consciousness 4. Creole Pioneers 3 Feb 6 Feb 8 IMAGINED COMMUNITIES Topdog/Underdog by Suzan-Lori Essay #2 5. Old Languages, New Models Parks 6. Official Nationalism & Imperialism 4 Feb 13 Feb 15 IMAGINED COMMUNITIES Foghorn a play by Hanay Essay #3 7. The Last Wave Geiogamah (in New Native 8.Patriotism & Racism American Drama, play) Project 1 49 a play by Hanay Geiogamah (in New Native American Drama) 5 Feb 20 Feb 22 IMAGINED COMMUNITIES 4 Little Girls a film by Spike Lee Essay #4 9. The Angel of History 10. Census, Map, Museum Body Indian a play by Hanay Project 1 11. Memory and Forgetting Geiogamah (in New Native American Drama) 6 Feb 27 Mar 1 EDWARD SAID El Norte screening Essay #5 4. Orientalism, p63-113 2. The Palestinian Experience Topdog/Underdog by Suzan-Lori Project 1 Parks 7 Mar 6 Mar 8 EDWARD SAID The Colored Museum by George C. Essay #6 6. Islam as News Wolfe (filmed play production) 10. Interiors I Don’t Have To Show You No Stinkin’ Badges a play by Luis Valdez 8 Spring Break Week 9 Mar 20 Mar 22 EDWARD SAID M. Butterfly by David Henry Hwang Essay #7 4 Dramatizing Diversity/Tanglao-Aguas Spring 2007 14. Intellectual Exile: & David Cronenberg (Film) Expatriates & Marginals Project 2: Community Reports 11. Yeats and Decolonization Better Luck Tomorrow a film by Justin Lin 10 Mar 27 Mar 29 Michel Foucault The Model Apartment by Donald Essay #8 Selection from History of Margulies (play reading) Sexuality Project 2: Community Reports Zootsuit by Luis Valdez Projecting Culture: Perceptions of Arab and American Films a film by Carroll Hodge 11 Apr 3 Apr 5 Michel Foucault Essay #9 Selection from History of Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision a Sexuality film by Freeda Lee Mock Project 2: Community Reports 12 Apr 10 Apr 12 Savage Nights a film by Cyril Essay #10 Collard 13 Apr 17 Apr 19 Y Tu Mama Tambien a film by Alfonso Cuaron 14 Apr 24 Apr 26 Walls a play by Jeannie Barroga 15 May 1 May 3 Project 3: Project 3: Teaching Diversity Submissions Teaching Diversity Briefings 5 Dramatizing Diversity/Tanglao-Aguas Spring 2007 Course Bibliography and Viewing List: “The Menace of Multiculturalism” by Alvin J. Schmidt (ISBN: 0275955982, Praeger) “The End of Racism” by Dinesh D’Souza (ISBN: 0684825244, Free Press) “Imagined Communities” by Benedict Anderson (ISBN: 0860915468) “Orientalism” by Edward Said (ISBN: 039474067X) “The Foucalt Reader” by Michel Foucalt (ISBN: 0394713400, Pantheon) New Native American Drama: 3 Plays By Hanay Geiogamah (ISBN: 0806116978, University of Oaklahoma Press) Zootsuit and other plays by Luis Valdez (ISBN: 1558850481, Arte Publico Press) I Don’t Have to Show You No Stinkin’ Badges by Luis Valdez When the Purple Settles by Francis Tanglao-Aguas (ISBN: 9719345802, Bathala Press, Manila) Topdog/Underdog by Suzan-Lori Parks (ISBN: 1559362014, TCG) Roar by Betty Shamieh (ISBN: 0881452556 Broadway Play Publishers) Wit by Margaret Edson Porcelain & A Language of Their Own by Chay Yew (ISBN: 0802135005, Grove Press) The Model Apartment by Donald Margulies (ISBN: 0822207672, DPS) M. Butterfly [film]: by David Henry Hwang Surname Viêt, given name Nam [film]: by Trinh, T. Minh-Ha (Thi Minh-Ha), 1952- Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision [film]: By Freeda Lee Mock Do the Right Thing [film]: by Spike Lee Better Luck Tomorrow [film]: by Justin Lin 4 Little Girls [film]: by Spike Lee The Colored Museum [filmed play]: by George C. Wolfe Passing Through [film]: by Nathan Adolfson El Norte [film]: by Gregory Nava The Hungry Woman and Heart of the Earth by Cherrie Moraga (West End Press, 097053440X) Walls by Jeannie Barroga (Blackboard) “Covering Islam: How the Media and the Experts Determine How We See the Rest of the World” by Edward Said (ISBN: 0679758909) .