THTR101 Introduction to Theatre Course Syllabus Bethany Lutheran College
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
THTR101 Introduction to Theatre Course Syllabus Bethany Lutheran College THTR 101 Instructor: Peter Bloedel 3 credits Office: YFAC 208 Spring 2019 Phone: x369 MWF 10:30am Email: [email protected] Room: YFAC 101 Office Hours: let’s make an appointment I. Course Description This class is designed to acquaint students to the various elements and procedures utilized in the theatre arts. Play and text readings, the viewing of live performances, and critical writing assignments will be used to enhance understanding and appreciation for the art. Required texts: Theatre: Brief Version, 9th ed. By Robert Cohen Types of Drama, 8th ed. Barnet, Burto, Ferris, and Rabkin, ed. ‘Night Mother by Marsha Norman Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand – The play is lengthy. Here is a link to the Brian Hooker translation https://www.scribd.com/document/259079348/Rostand-Cyrano-de-Bergerac-Trans-Brian-Hooker II. Course Objectives / Learning Outcomes By the end of the semester students should be able to: • Identify correctly various roles of individuals involved in theatrical productions. [THTR-LO #1; CO #9] • Identify correctly significant plays throughout the history of Western Theatre. [THTR- LO #3; CO #3] • Discuss coherently the action, themes and characters of assigned plays. [THTR- LO #3, #4; CO #3, #4] • Articulate informed response toward theatre productions and the art in general. [THTR- LO #4; CO #4] III. Expectations A. Students will make every effort to be in class on time, and notify the instructor in advance if they will be absent. Each unexcused absence will result in a lowering of your grade. Excused absences might be allowed with the understanding that they will be cleared by the instructor well before (not minutes before) the class period in which the absence will occur. B. Students will make sure that electronic device (i.e. cell phones, laptops, etc) use is limited to classroom appropriate uses. C. Texting in class is equally rude. Trust me its obvious when you’re doing it, no one looks at their lap and smiles unless they are texting...and if they do perhaps they shouldn’t. D. Students will prepare in advance for class by reading the assigned materials. E. Students will be attentive and respectful of all speakers (instructor, fellow students, guest speakers, etc.) and tailor their responses accordingly. The instructor reserves the right to ask disruptive or disrespectful students to leave the classroom. F. Students will accept their ethical responsibility in researching, preparing, and presenting their material in this class. G. Students will complete all assignments by the assigned class time. Failure to do so will result in a grade reduction. H. Students will follow the specific requirements for each assignment. All materials handed in will be word-processed and completed to the directions provided. I. Students are expected to make intelligent contributions during class periods. Class participation will affect the final grade. For example, spending sixteen weeks taking up space in a room without speaking will reflect negatively on your participation grade. J. Plagiarism of any kind will not be tolerated in this class. The MLA Handbook has defined plagiarism as follows: 1. Repeating another’s sentences as your own 2. Adopting a particularly apt phrase as your own 3. Paraphrasing someone else’s argument as your own 4. Presenting someone else’s line of thinking as though it were your own 1 In short, to plagiarize is to use someone else’s work as your own, without crediting or citing the source. Direct word- for-word copying is permissible if the material appears in quotation marks and if the source is cited. Rephrasing and summarizing is permissible if the source is cited. The first offense of plagiarism will result in a “0” on the assignment in question. The second offense will result in an “F” in the class, and could be grounds for dismissal from the college. K. The student is responsible for seeing out-of-class theatrical productions both on and off campus. The two BLC productions (Kiss Me Kate, and Letters to Anne of Green Gables) are required and are free of charge for Bethany students. The Guthrie production of Edmond Rostand’s Cyrnao de Bergerac is also required and will cost students $20. We will be seeing Cyrano at the Guthrie on the evening of Wednesday, March 20. Please mark your calendars immediately for that date. Viewing these productions is mandatory, and is extremely important that all students see them. IV. Course Logistics A. The method of teaching this class will be lecture, supplemented liberally with student discussion. Readings for the texts are assigned regularly and should be read by the date indicated on the daily schedule. B. Each student is required to complete 15 hours of work in the scene shop or in the costume shop for a production, for the semester. Details will be discussed in class. C. A final creative project will be required at the end of the term. Details will be forthcoming. V. Standards for Evaluation A. Minimum percentage grade scale is as follows: A 95+ B- 80+ D+ 67+ A- 90+ C+ 77+ D 63+ B+ 87+ C 73+ D- 60+ B 83+ C- 70+ F 59 - B. What the grades mean: A: This is a superior grade and is given to work that has far exceeded the specific requirements of the assignment. Additionally, students receiving this grade must have shown both insight and initiative in completing the graded task. B: This is a very good grade and is given to work that has carefully and thoroughly met the specific requirements of the assignment and shows evidence of extra effort. C: This is an average grade and is given to work that has met the specific requirements of the assignments. D: This is a below average grade and is indicative of work not completed. It is given when the specific requirements of an assignment are not met. F: This is a failing grade and is given to work that is wholly an inadequate representation of college-level work. 0: This is a grade given when an assignment is not turned in. Most work will be assigned some points. Try to avoid not doing your assignments. C. The grading system in this class will be weighted this way: Exuberant class participation/discussion and attendance: 15% (Attendance points are separate from participation points. i.e.- If you are granted an excused absence for a class, and there is a play discussion on the day you miss, you will not be given participation credit for that discussion. You must be present for participation credit.) Exams (2): 30% Quizzes and study sheets: 15% Scene shop hours: 15% Writing assignments: 12.5% Final project: 12.5% 2 .