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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTHR-109 1 Bergen Community College Division of Humanities Department of Visual and Performing Arts Course Syllabus History of Musical Theater THR/MUS 109 Basic Information About Course and Instructor: Semester and year: Section Number: Meeting Times: Locations: Instructor: Office Location: Phone: Departmental Secretary: [optional] Office Hours: Email Address: Course Description: History of Musical Theater is a chronological survey course that explores musical theater from its early beginnings to the present. In a lecture and discussion format, students explore examples of musical theater to illustrate musical elements, musical and theatrical techniques, and structural form. Selected works are considered from the context of their relationship with historical and artistic values. 3 lectures, 3 credits No prerequisites and/or co-requisites General Education Course – Humanities Student Learning Outcomes: As a result of meeting the requirements in this course, students will be able to: ● List Student Learning Outcomes and an appropriate assessment for each: Student Learning Outcome: Means of Assessment: 1. Develop a historical and sociological perspective of musical theater through listening, viewing and reading selected musical theater repertoire. Class Discussion, Reading Assignments with Questions, Viewing Videos/Film Clips. 2 2. Identify and discuss significant works of musical theater. Critique and analyze selected dramatic works verbally and through written assignments. Written Assisgments, Class Discussion, Reading Assignments with Questions, Viewing Videos/Film Clips. Quizzes. 3. Analyze selected musical theater masterpieces, by considering the musical and structural elements as related to performance techniques. In-Class Discussion, Reading Assignments with Questions, Viewing and Questions on Videos/Film Clips. Quizzes. 4. Analyze the implications of the multiple artistic elements of musical theater in relationship to history, society, and the artistic values of the genre. In-Class Analysis, Reading Assignments with Questions, Viewing Videos/Film Clips. Exam 5. Construct a proposal for a musical, create a design theme, and prepare a cast list. Written Assignment 6. Review a musical theater 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. Written Assignment. Final Signature Assignment. For General Education courses: indicate which Gen Ed/Essential Learning Outcomes (EL1-11, below) are aligned with these Student Learning Outcomes* using a table: SLOs: EL 1 EL2 EL3 EL 4 EL5 EL 6 EL7 EL 8 EL9 EL 10 EL1 1 1. x x x x x x x x 2. x x x x x 3. x x x x x x x 4. x x x x x x x x 5. x x x x 6. x x x x x x x x EL1-Effective Speaking EL2-Effective Writing EL3-Mathematical Reasoning EL4-Scientific Reasoning EL5-Technological Competency EL6-Information Literacy EL7-Social-Behavioral Analysis EL8-Historical Analysis EL9-Humanistic Analysis EL10-Intercultural Awareness EL11-Moral Literacy For General Education courses: 3 SIGNATURE ASSIGNMENT: From a list of musical theatre productions provided, the student is to choose one and write a research paper answering the following questions. This should be a minimum of 6 – 8 pages typed and double- spaced, cited and footnoted. 1) Who were the shows composer, lyricist, & librettist? Describe their careers. 2) What journey did this musical take from its inception to opening on Broadway? After it’s Broadway run, what was this musical’s journey (London, National Tour, Film?) 3) According to the critics, what was so ‘groundbreaking’ about this musical? Why is it one of the landmark productions in contemporary musical theatre history? 4) Who were the leading actors in the musical on Broadway and what are their backgrounds? 5) What was significant about the music in this production to the period in which it was written? 6) What is the plot of the musical? 7) As an anthropologist/sociologist, if you see this musical 100 years from now, what does it tell you about the people and society of the time the musical was written/written about? Course Content: History of Musical Theater – introduces the fundamental aspects of musical theater. Students will study the beginnings of musical theater such as the light operas, melodramas, vaudeville and minstrel shows that became America’s early imprint. Works from artists representing musical theater such as: Kern, Hammerstein, Berlin, Porter, Rogers and Hart, Berlin, Sondheim, Andrew Lloyd Weber, and Schonberg will be surveyed. Selected works will be considered from context of their relationship to historical and artistic values. Students will consider aspects of performance in musical theater and gain an understanding of the responsibilities and expectations involved in the field. Course Texts and/or Other Study Materials: Required: Miller, Scott. Strike Up The Band: A New History of Musical Theatre (paperback) Heinemann, Portsmouth, NH 2007 ISBN 978-0-325-00642-0 / 0-325-00642-3 / SKU E00642 Recommended: Riddle, Peter H. The American Musical History and Development. Mosaic Press. 2003 ISBN: 0-88- 962-828-9 Jones, John Bush. Our Musicals, Ourselves. Brandeis University Press. 2003 ISBN:1-58465-311-6 Kislan, Richard. The Musical. Applause Books. 1995 ISBN: 1-55793-217-X Research, Writing, and/or Examination Requirement(s): 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. Grading Policy: 4 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, in-class assignments and active participation 20% Midterm Exam 20% Performance Response paper 10% Weekly Assignments 10% Final Projects (Biographical, Performance Proposal) 20% Final Exam (comprehensive) 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 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: 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. Other College, Divisional, and/or Departmental Policy Statements: 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. 5 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. 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 Student and Faculty Support Services: [optional but recommended] Accessibility Statement Bergen Community College is committed to ensuring the full participation of all students in its programs. If you have a documented disability (or think you may have a disability) and, as a result, need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this class, complete course requirements, or benefit from the College’s programs or services, contact the Office of Special Services (OSS) as soon as possible at 201-612-5270 or www.bergen.edu/oss. To receive any academic accommodation, you must be appropriately registered with OSS. The OSS works with students confidentially and does not disclose any disability-related information without their permission. The OSS serves as a clearinghouse on disability issues and works in partnership with faculty and all other student service offices. Student Support Services Bergen Community College provides exemplary support to its students and offers a broad variety of opportunities and services. A comprehensive array of student support services including advising, 6 tutoring, academic coaching, and more are available online at https://bergen.edu/currentstudents/. Sidney Silverman Library Online Resources: Guides B Subject - https://bergen.libguides.com/index.php General Search and Databases: https://bergen.edu/library/ Course Outline and Calendar: Week: Topic/Activity: Learning Outcomes: Assignments/Events: 1 Listen to Intro Lecture, Overview, course objectives, grading, assignments, etc. The Birth of the Stage Musical – Operetta in the US. Gilbert & Sullivan View & answer Questions to “Vaudeville” 1, 2, 3 Review syllabus and class schedule View Videos, Film clips from “Pirates of Penzance,” Vaudeville, Melodrama and Minstrel shows. Read Ch. 1 “An Era Exploding” 2 Listen to Intro Lecture, Read, Watch videos & Answer Questions Chapter 1: “An Era Exploding, 1900 - 1919” Review Musical Theatre Vocabulary View & Answer Questions “Yankee Doodle Dandy” and the contributions of George M. Cohan to the American Musical Theatre Assign: Paper #1. 1, 2, 3, 4 5, 6 In-class Discussion of the 1900- 1919 watching clips from “In Dahomey” to the musical influence of Irving Berlin, George & Ira Gershwin, etc. Watch and Discussion on Film, “Yankee Doodle Dandy.” Answer questions on film in class. Read Ch. 2 “I Want to Be Happy” 3 Listen to Intro Lecture, Read, Watch videos & Answer Questions Chapter 2: “I Want to Be Happy, The 1920s” Politics & the Economy in America in the 20’s. 1, 2, 3, 4 In-class discussion, video clips from “Varsity Drag” to “Show Boat.” Introducing Florez Ziegfeld Discuss Black Theatre in 7 America and the socio/economic background to the Great Depression. 4 View & Answer Questions of “Show Boat” by Jerome Kern & Oscar Hammerstein III. Paper # 1 Due. 1, 2, 3, 4 View film, answer questions on film and discuss themes, music and structure of musical – themes of race, Miscegenation, gambling, single parenting, etc. Read. Ch. 3 “Anything Goes” 5 Listen to Intro Lecture, Read, Watch videos & Answer Questions Chapter 3. “Anything Goes, The 1930s” and the contributions of Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, George & Ira Gershwin. Assign Paper #2. 1, 2, 3, 4 5, 6 In-class discussion, video clips from “Brown Buddies” to “The Cradle Will Rock.” Discuss the WPA and Hallie Flannigan and the Federal Theatre Project. Discuss and view clips on the Latino introduction into the American Musical Theatre 6 Listen to Intro Lecture, View & Answer Questions “The Cradle Will Rock,” the Works Progress Administration and the Federal Theatre Project. 1, 2, 3, 4 View film, answer questions on film and discuss themes, music and structure of musical. The collapse of the Federal Theatre Project. Read Ch. 4 – “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning.” 7 Listen to Intro Lecture, Read, Watch videos & Answer Questions Chapter 4: “Oh, What A Beautiful Morning: The 1940s.” America pre-War to America post-War The role of women in society and reflected in musical theatre. Paper # 2 Due. 1, 2, 3, 4 In-class discussion, video clips covering the 1940s from “Pal Joey” to “South Pacific.” Women in Society and how the shift from workforce to the home is portrayed in the American Musical. 8 Listen to Intro Lecture, View & Answer Questions on “Oklahoma!” by Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein. 1, 2, 3, 4 View film, answer questions on film and discuss themes, music and structure of musical. Discuss the impact the the R&H collaboration had/has on the American Musical. Read Ch. 5 “Somethings Coming” 9 Listen to Intro Lecture, Read, In-class discussion, video clips 8 Watch videos & Answer Questions Chapter 5: “Something’s Coming: The 1950’s” Mid-Term Exam Due. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 covering the 1950s from “Guys and Dolls” to “The Fantasticks” The impact of “West Side Story” and the world is introduced to Jerome Robbins, Aurther Laurents and Stephen Sondheim. 10 Listen to Intro Lecture, View & Answer Questions on “West Side Story” by Arthur Laurents, Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim. 1, 2, 3, 4 View film, answer questions on film and discuss themes, music and structure of musical. The powerful themes in the play not seen since “Show Boat.” Read Ch. 6 “Let the Sunshine In” 11 Listen to Intro Lecture, Read, Watch videos & Answer Questions Chapter 6: “Let The Sun Shine In: The 1960s” - The Viet Nam War, Civil Rights Movement, Women’s Rights and the Theatre of the 60’s. 1, 2, 3, 4 In-class discussion, video clips covering the 1960s from “Camelot” to “1776,” Discuss the decade and it’s pop music. The Civil Rights Movement, the Viet Nam War, etc. Introduction of the “Concept Musical” 12 Listen to Intro Lecture, View & Answer Questions on “Hair” 1, 2, 3, 4 View film, answer questions on film and discuss themes, anti- war movement, theatre’s influence on pop music. Read Ch. 7 “In Comes Company.” 13 Listen to Intro Lecture, Read, Watch videos & Answer Question Chapter 7 - “In Comes Company: The 1970’s” Assign Final Exam Paper # 3 1, 2, 3, 4 5, 6 In-class discussion, video clips covering the 1970s from to “Company” to “Evita” The world meets Andew Lloyd Weber Assign Signature Assignment 14 Listen to Intro Lecture, View & Answer Questions on “Sweeney Todd” 1, 2, 3, 4 View film, answer questions on film and discuss Stephen Sondheim and his influence on the American Musical Theatre Read Ch. 8 “Do You Hear the People Sing” 15 Listen to Intro Lecture, Read, In-class discussion, video clips 9 Watch videos & Answer Questions Chapter “Do You Hear The People Sing? The 1980’s” Final Paper Due 1, 2, 3, 4 covering the 1980s from to “Cats” to “Grand Hotel.” The British Invasion and the Mega-Musical. This Course Outline and Calendar is tentative and subject to change, depending upon the progress of the class.