What is Theatre? - Syllabus

Information Texts Objectives Assignments
Due Dates Evaluation Attendance Calendar

 

General Information
M,W & F@ 11:00am-11:50pm 159 Performing Arts Center
Instructor: Win Lewis Office: 235 Performing Arts Center
Phones: Office: 457-5247 Home: 453-0880 ( Not after 10 PM )
E-Mail : wlewis@winona.edu
Office Hours: Please See: Win's Schedule

 

Day to Day - Calendar

Texts:

Required - Theatre Alive , An Introductory Anthology of World Drama
Edited with historical introductions by Norman A. Bert

Required - Theatre Brief : by Robert Cohen

The proposed course is designed to satisfy the requirement in:

Fine and Performing Arts
a. explore the language, skills, and materials of an artistic discipline;
Through lecture and discussion the class will examine the components and conventions of creating and producing theatre. They will explore how theatre developed from a ritualistic religious ceremony to an artistic expressions that explores human kind.
b. use the methods of an arts practitioner to actively engage in creative processes or interpretive performances;
Students will participate in group projects that begin with the examination, interpretation or creation of a script. Then as a group, they will present their scripts to their classmates as works in progress. They will meet outside of class time with the instructor for evaluation and group discussion on their script and to receive feedback on their work in progress. On one of four performance days they will present their work in progress to the class. The final step it this group project is a personal and group evaluation form submitted from the WEB. (d)
c. understand the cultural and gender contexts of artistic expression;
During the semester the students will read play scripts from many of the key time periods of the growth of Western theatre. Though small group and large group discussion the students will use these plays to help them understand the culture and beliefs that brought about the creation of these scripts.
d. engage in reflective analysis of their own art work or interpretive performance and respond to the works of others.

The students are expected to attend a minimum of two productions outside of normal class time. They are then expected to write a critique on one of these productions based on what has been discussed in class and covered in their text.
Each student as part of their final project must fill out a project evaluation form on themselves and the other members of their group. This form is their chance to explore the process they have been through and to evaluate their contributions and the contributions of the other members of their production team.

Class Objectives:

1. To examine how to define “THEATRE”.
2. To investigate what the building blocks of theatre are.
3. To determine if and why theatre is different than other forms
of “Artistic” & “Social” communications and activities.
4. To become acquainted with the theatrical processes.
5. To explore how theatre comments and reflects on society

Assignments

1. Cartoon Project - Short Paper Interpreting “a cartoon” as “Theatre”
2. Critique - One Critique on a WSU Production, a touring production or a local production approved by Instructor.
3. Shakespeare Project - Project done in small groups ( 3 or 4 ) adapting, interpreting or exploring a short Shakespeare speech.
4. Final Project - Group presentation of an original play witten and prensentedto the class by each group.
5. Eight Play Readings - A Dolls House, Oedipus Rex, Everyman, Othello,
The Hypochondriac, Uncle Tom's Cabin, The Bald Soprano,
and Hairy Ape, (The Hairy Ape is extra credit )
6. Attendance at THAD productions West Side Story and Anna Christie.
( Information about these productions will be included on the quizzes and exams. )
7. Readings From Text as Assigned on Calendar

Assignment Due Dates

All written assignments for this class will have specific due dates. I expect all assignments on the assigned day. I will not accept assignments past 5.00PM on the due date unless I have been talked to the student about their problem before the deadline. If the assignment is not finished, please turn in what you have. Re-writes are permitted on all written projects as long as they are turned in. All written assignments must be typed, double spaced, using a font no larger than 12 point, with margins no larger than one (1) inch. PLEASE spell and grammar check but also remember the checkers are not perfect. After doing the checks please do a final proof reading.

Evaluation

What Points Total Total Points
Goals Form 20 points Total 20 Points
Seven Quizzes ( Lowest Quiz Score Dropped) 50 points ea. Total 300 points *
You May Not Make up a Missed Quiz - Please Don't Ask
Mid Term Exam 100 Points Total 100 points
Cartoon Project 100 points Total 100 points
Shakespeare Project 100 points Total 100 points
One Critique 100 points Total 100 points
Final Project Form on Blackboard 20 Points Total 20 Points
Final Project 130 points Total 130 points
Final Exam 150 points Total 150 points
    Total 1020 Points

* Lowest Quiz Score Will Be Dropped

All Tests and Quizzes are comprehensive
covering "Any Material Discussed, Read or Seen".

Extra Credit: There is one extra credit project for this class
which is a Quiz on Hairy Ape- this will replace your second lowest quiz score

Grading Scale
1020 - 900 Points A
899-800 Points B
799-700 Points C
699-600 Points D
599-0 Points F

Class Participation and Attendance:

First, this is a discussion and lecture course where the students are expected to take an active part in the day-to-day class activities. We will watch videos and discuss what has been seen. Attendance will be taken daily. Each student is permitted two (2) unexcused absences. After two (2) unexcused absences you will loose thirty (30) points from your final grade for each additional absence.

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact the instructor as soon as possible to make necessary accommodations.

Instructor Courses Calendar
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© E.M.Lewis IV, 07/98 Revised 7/02