HomeMy WebLinkAboutTHR-111
Bergen Community College
Division of Arts, Humanities & Wellness
Department of the Performing Arts
Course Syllabus
Oral Interpretation of Literature THR-111
Date of Most Recent Syllabus Revision: December 5, 2018
Course Typically Offered: Fall _X_ Spring ___ Every Semester ____ Other _____
Syllabus last reviewed by: BCC General Education Committee ________________
Curriculum Committee __October 20, 2010_________
Basic Information About Course and Instructor
Semester and Year:
Course and Section Number:
Meeting Times and Locations:
Instructor:
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Course Description
Oral Interpretation of Literature explores the development of performance and vocal
techniques in the oral presentation of all types of literature. The use of variety in
pitch, volume, tempo, and attitude is stressed in communication the author’s meaning
through the reader to the audience. Following specific guidelines, most of the
literature is selected by each student.
3 lectures, 3 credits
No prerequisites and/or co-requisites.
Student Learning Objectives: As a result of meeting the requirements of this course,
students will be able to
1. Develop a historical and sociological perspective of reader’s theatre and the ability
to interpret the written word.
2. Develop a clear understanding and application of the International Phonetic
Alphabet.
3. Identify and discuss significant works of literature as it relates to oral
interpretation. Critique and analyze selected literary works verbally and through
written assignments.
4. Analyze selected reader’s theater masterpieces, by considering the words and
structural elements as related to performance techniques.
5. Construct a reader’s theatre piece from evaluating poetry and prose and its ability
to be adapted to oral interpretation.
6. Review a reader’s theatre production, appraise the artistic merits, compare it to
others of the same show, support and defend their opinions with historical
precedence and accepted performance practice.
In support of the above-mentioned goals, the course will include reading, writing,
listening, viewing and discussion assignments from the textbook and from outside
sources (e.g., DVDs, videos, scores and audio recordings). Students are strongly
encouraged to take an active part in class discussions and writing assignments.
Objectives will be assessed as follows:
1. The historical and sociological perspective of reader’s theater will be
determined through students’ participation in class discussions and on the
midterm and final exams.
2. A keen understanding of the International Phonetic Alphabet and its function
in oral interpretation of literature.
3. Awareness of important individuals and their contributions will be determined
through Midterm and Final exams, and the completion of a final presentation,
whose components are a written outline and an oral presentation.
4. Ability to consider poetry, prose and theatre scripts for a performance through
class discussions, written responses, and on midterm and the final
examination.
5. Ability to analyze the multiple artistic considerations in reader’s theatre will
be assessed through response essays and class discussions.
6. Ability to construct a proposal for a reader’s theatre piece will be assessed
through a final performance.
Course Content
Oral Interpretation of Literature –explores the development of performance and
vocal techniques in the oral presentation of all types of literature. The use of variety
in pitch, volume, tempo, and attitude is stressed in communication the author’s
meaning through the reader to the audience. Following specific guidelines, most of
the literature is selected by each student.”
Technological Literacy
Technological literacy and/or information literacy is one expectation of this course.
Students will be encouraged to use such technology as the internet and contribute
points of information using PowerPoint during scheduled class discussions.
Course Texts and/or Other Study Materials
Required: Gura, Timothy and Lee, Charlotte. Oral Interpretation. Routledge. 2016
ISBN: 9780205582860
Recommended:
Kaye, Marvin. Reader’s Theatre. The Wildside Press. 1195.
ISBN: 1-880445-49-1
Gamble, Michael. Oral Interpretation: Bringing Literature to Life Through
Performance. McGraw-Hill, Glencoe. 2001
ISMB13: 9780844217406
Grading Policy
The final grade in this course will be determined by a student’s overall mastery of the subject matter
as evidenced on exams, quizzes, oral presentations, homework assignments, consistent attendance
and quality class participation. There will be one mid-term exam, one final exam, 2 final
projects, and weekly assignments.
Attendance, preparation and active participation 20%
Midterm Exam 20%
Performance Response paper 10%
Weekly Assignments 10%
Final Projects (Written Reader’s Theatre Piece) 20%
Final Exam (Performance) 20%
Criteria for Evaluation: Attendance and participation
a. consistent attendance**
b. passing test scores
c. evidence of studying text and assignments
d. completed assignments
e. quality classroom responses
f. overall demonstration of comprehension of the course material
90-100 = A 86-89 = B+ 80-85 = B 76-79 = C+ 70 - 75 = C 65-69 = D
E =Unofficial Withdrawal W =Official Withdrawal INC=Incomplete 0–64 = F
Any work turned in late from the original due date shall be deducted by one letter grade.
Two letter grades shall be deducted after the second week from the due date, and three letter
grades after the third week from the original due date. There are no make-up examinations
unless approved in advance by the instructor.
Attendance Policy
BCC Attendance Policy:
All students are expected to attend punctually every scheduled meeting of each course
in which they are registered. Attendance and lateness policies and sanctions are to be
determined by the instructor for each section of each course. These will be
established in writing on the individual course outline. Attendance will be kept by the
instructor for administrative and counseling purposes.
Students will be evaluated on attendance and participation in class using the following
criteria: consistent attendance; evidence of studying text and assignments; completed
daily assignments; quality classroom responses.
Each class can potentially count as .837 points towards the possible 20% score for
attendance and participation. A letter grade totaling 20% of the final grade will be
determined by the instructor based upon the aforementioned criteria.
Bergen Community College Academic Policies:
Bergen Community College is committed to academic integrity – the honest, fair and
continuing pursuit of knowledge, free from fraud or deception. Please review the
college catalogue or student handbook for further information on this topic.
Bergen Community College has adopted an internal grievance procedure to provide
for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any action prohibited by
federal regulation implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as
amended, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. (ADA). Please review the
college catalogue for further information on this topic.
Bergen Community College is committed to providing its students and employees
with an academic and work environment free from sexual harassment or
discrimination. Please review the policy prohibiting sexual harassment in the college
catalog.
Please review the statement on acceptable use of BCC technology in the college
catalog.
Faculty hold 3 office hours per week, and as requested by students, by appointment.
Students are encouraged to seek out their faculty member for academic needs.
Student and Faculty Support Services
All students are encouraged to visit and use the BCC Library. There are particularly
excellent electronic references in the area of music available to our students.
Students are encouraged to use the student support services of the college. These
services include: the Writing Center, the music-computer Lab, the Tutorial Center,
and the Office of Specialized Services.
The Distance Learning Office –
for any problems you may have
accessing your online courses
Room
C-334
201-612-5581
psimms@bergen.edu
Smarthinking Tutorial Service On
Line at:
www.bergen.edu/library/learning/tutor/smart/index.asp
The Tutoring Center Room
L-125
201-447-7908
The Writing Center Room
L-125
201-447-7908
The Online Writing Lab (OWL) On
Line at:
www.bergen.edu/owl
The Office of Specialized
Services (for Students with
Disabilities)
Room
S-131
201-612-5270
The Sidney Silverman Library –
Reference Desk
Room
L-226
201-447-7436
Course Outline:
Note to Students: This Course Outline and Calendar is tentative and subject to change, depending upon
the progress of the class
History of Music Theater Course Outline:
Week Topic/Activity Learning
Objectives Assignments/Events
1
Course Introduction
■ Introduction to the IPA
(International Phonetic Alphabet)
1,2 Read IPA Handout ; The
consonants: plosives and
The consonants:
fricatives.
2
Breathing Coordination:
Diaphragmatic Breathing.
■ Continue with the IPA (International
Phonetic Alphabet)
1,2,3,4
5
Read From Dr. Breath –
Breathing Coordination
Read IPA Handout ; The
consonant and The
vowels.
3
Choosing a Piece of Literature to
interpret.
■ Interpreting “The House That Jack
Built”
1,2,3,4, Read & Discuss Ch. 1 &
2.
Read Handout
4
Interpretive Reading:
■ “Molly Sylvester” for 1 voice and
then for 5 voices
1,2,3,4,5 Read & Discuss Ch. 4.
Read Handout
5 Using the Body as well as the voice 1,2,3,4,5 Read & Part 3
Pracitcum
6
Interpreting Poetry
■ Select a poem and develop it for
multiple voices
1,2,3,4,5 Con’t Chapter 10.
Handout
7
■ Presentation of poem for Multiple
voices and evaluations
1,2,3,4,5 Mid-term
Practicum
8
■ Tongue Twisters
■ Reader’s Theatre for Children
1,2,3,4,5 Read and Discuss
Chapter 8
Handouts
9
Presentation of Reader’s Theatre for
Children and Evaluations
1,2,3,4,5 Handouts
Practicum
10
Explore Choral Reading
1,2,3,4,5 Handouts
Read Part 8 in Text,
Chpts. 36 – 38
11
■ Continue Choral Reading with
movement.
1,2,3,4,5 Handouts
Practicum
12
Group projects.
Development of a Reader’s Theatre
play. Interpreting
1,2,3,4,5 Read Discuss Ch. 8
13
Writing a Readers Theatre PIec 1,2,3,4,5,6 Handouts
Written Exam
14 Developing a Reader’s Theatre Piece:
Casting, Staging and Rehearsing
1,2,3,4,5,6
15 Presentation of the Final Reader’s Theatre
Piece and Evaluating
1,2,3,4,5,6 Final Presentation.