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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTHR-101 1 Bergen Community College Division of Humanities Department of Visual and Performing Arts Course Syllabus Introduction to the Theatre THR 101 Basic Information About Course and Instructor Semester and Year: Course and Section Number: Meeting Times and Locations: Instructor: Office Location: Phone: Departmental Secretary: Office Hours: Email Address: Course Description Introduction to the Theatre is a study of live theatre and how it is produced, how it has developed historically and culturally, and how it is analyzed and evaluated. This is primarily a theory course, but it also includes theatre-going assignments. 3 lecture hours, 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: Student Learning Outcome: Means of Assessment: 1. Develop a historical and sociological perspective of Theatre through listening, viewing and reading selected Theatre repertoire. Develop an understanding of the sociological, historical and cultural role theatre has played since the ancient Greeks. In-Class Discussions, Examinations, Homework/Reading Assignments. 2. Identify and discuss significant works of Theatre. Critique and analyze selected dramatic works verbally and through written assignments. In-Class Discussions, Written Assignments, Examinations. 2 3. Develop an understanding of Aristotle’s six elements of theatre and apply those elements to every theatrical event. Homework/Reading Assignments, Written Assignment 4. Analyze the contributions made by each of the collaborative artists that create a theatrical production. In-Class Discussions, Reading Assignments, Examinations 5. Review a 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. Written Assignment For General Education courses: indicate which Gen Ed/Essential Learning 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 2. X X X X X X 3. X X X 4. X X X X X X 5. 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 *In accordance with the Standards for General Education Courses at Bergen Community College (2013), all Gen Ed courses are required to address EL1, EL2, EL6, and EL11 (when appropriate), in addition to the ELO that corresponds to its area of study (EL 3-5 and 7-9). SIGNATURE ASSIGNMENT: The Play Review Going to the theatre is an important cultural pastime in Western society. Primarily the theatre’s job is to entertain, inform, and challenge its audience. It is possible to go to a theatrical performance and enjoy it without having any formal drama or theatre studies training. However, studying drama and theatre practice may help you to appreciate some of the complexities of dramatic form and style as well as developing an understanding of the production values associated with a performance. The student must arrange to see the Bergenstages production during the semester and write a 2 to 3- page critique of the production looking for significant details to illustrate what they say about aspects of the production: Describe the Performance Space; Lever and Ability of Acting; Suitability of Cast; The Audience; Scenery, Costumes, Lighting, Music and Sound; and any Social and Political Messages 3 found in the Theme. 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.). Students are strongly encouraged to take an active part in class discussions and writing assignments. Learning Objectives will be assessed as follows: 1. The historical and sociological perspective of Theatre will be determined through students’ participation in class discussions and on the midterm and final exams. 2. Awareness of important individuals and their contributions will be determined through Midterm and Final exams, and the completion of a final project, whose components are a researched and written outline and an presented to the class. 3. Ability to identify and understand each of Aristotle’s Six Elements of a play; plot, character, theme, spectacle, diction and music. 4. Ability to identify and analyze each of the individual elements contributed by the collaborative artists and how the function as a whole. 5. Ability to discuss the history of theatre with its social and cultural elements through class discussion, mid-term exam and final exam. 6. Ability to review a Theatre production will be assessed through the final project of a written performance critique. Course Content: Introduction to the Theatre – introduces the fundamental aspects of Theatre. Students will study the history of Theatre such from the ancient Greeks and Romans to contemporary theatre as well as theatre from every corner of the world. Works from playwrights such as: Sophocles, Shakespeare, Moliere, Beckett, O’Neill & Williams, will be surveyed. Selected works will be considered from the context of their relationship to historical and artistic values. Students will consider aspects of performance in Theatre and gain an understanding of the responsibilities and expectations involved in the field. Course Texts and/or Other Study Materials: Textbook: Wainscott, Ronald & Fletcher, Kathy. Theatre: Collaborative Acts. Allyn and Bacon. 2010 ISBN-10: 0-205-62569-X7 Recommended: Euripides. Rudall, Nicholas (translation). Medea. Ivan R. Dee. 2000 ISBN: 1- 56663-321-4 Shakespeare, William. A Midsummer Nights Dream (No Fear Shakespeare Series). Spark Publishing. 2003 ISBN: 1-586-638-483 Williams, Tennessee. A Streetcar Named Desire. Signet. 2003 ISBN: 0-451-16778-3 Research, Writing, and/or Examination Requirement(s): 4 Attendance, preparation and active participation: a. consistent attendance b. evidence of studying text and assignments by contributing to class discussions c. completed assignments d. overall demonstration of comprehension of the course material. 3 Minute Play: Students will write their own play which should have at least two characters. The action should take place in the dialogue with only a few stage directions to describe the setting and any emotional moments you may want to highlight. The plot should grow to a climactic moment and then be resolved in the denouement - Don’t end with a cliffhanger, wrap it up! 2 Written Assignments: Students will attend two Bergenstages productions during the semester which will be the subject matter for which they are to write their papers. The first will be explaining how Aristotle’s Six Elements of a play are incorporated/presented in the production. The second will be a critique of the play; this is the courses signature assignment. Crew Hours: Each student is required to contribute 10 hours towards set construction, painting, lighting, costume, publicity, etc., for the Bergenstages productions during the semester. A work report must be handed in by the end of the term with signatures verifying work done. Final Project: Students will track the journey of a play as it goes from playwright to the director then to producers, actors, designers, etc. in a notebook. This approach will lend a more intimate experience into the process of ‘creating theatre’ and the total collaborative process. The student will be required to maintain a journal of this process and its results will be evaluated at the end of the term. Items to be included are Finding a Theatre, the Playwright’s Biography, Character Descriptions, Finding a Dreamcast, Set Design, Costume Design, Poster Design, etc. 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 5% Midterm & Final Examinations 30% Written – 3 Minute Play 10% 2 Written Assignments 20% Crew Hours 10% Final Project (the journey of a play) 25% 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. 5 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. 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] 6 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, 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: Date: Topic/Activity: Learning Outcomes: Assignments/Events: Week 1 Course Introduction ■ Cultural Collaboration: Theatre in Society ■ Social Functions of Theatre ■ Theatre and Cultural Exploration ■ Theatre Censorship 1,2,5 Read Act One, Ch.1 Text Read Part 1, One Act Plays. Week 2 Collaboration of Actor, Audience & Space ■ The Audience: Empathy & Aesthetic Distance ■ The Nature of Acting ■ Space: Proscenium to Experimental 1,2,4,5 Read Act One, Ch. 2 in text Backstage Tour of theatre Week 3 The Playwright: Understanding & Interpreting the Play. ■ Aristotle’s 6 Elements: ■ Play structure ■ Dramatic genre: Tragedy, comedy, tragicomedy, melodrama, etc. 1,2,3,4,5 Read Act One, Ch. 4 & 5 & Act Two, Ch. 8 in text Read “The Zoo Story” 7 Week 4 Foundations: Classical Theatrical Forms ■ Classical Greece & Rome ■ Classical India, China & Japan ■ Medieval Europe: Liturgical & Morality Plays 1,2,3,4,5 Read Act Three, Ch.11 in text Week 5 Discovering a Classic ■ Explore the Greek Tragedy ■ Apply Aristotle’s Six Elements 1,2,3,4,5,6 Read “Medea” Week 6 ■ Midterm (Ch. 1,2, 4, 5 & 11 and one Act Plays and “Medea”) 1,2,3,4,5,6 Week 7 Reinterpretations: Europe Rediscovers the Western Classics ■ The Italian Renaissance – Neoclassicism & Commedia Dell’Arte ■ Elizabethan England ■ The Spanish Golden Age ■ 17th Century France – Moliere ■ Restoration England 1,2,3,4,5 Read Act Three, Ch.12 in text Week 8 Revolutions: Romanticism to Postmodern Experiment ■ 19th Century Melodrama ■ Realism vs. Naturalism ■ The Avant-Garde Movement 1,2,3,4,5 Read Act Three, Ch.13 in text Week 9 Discovering a contemporary classic ■ Importance of environment to character behavior ■ Realism becomes the forum for current, volatile social issues 2,3,4,6 Read “A Streetcar Named Desire” Act One Week 10 The Director: Vision and Leadership ■ Actor-Playwrights and Company Leaders ■ Medieval Playmasters & Actor-Managers ■ Interpretation, Concept and Collaboration ■ The Rehearsal Process 1,2,3,4,5 Read Act Two and Ch. 6 in text. Week 11 The Actor: From Mask to Contemporary Performance ■ The Actor’s Face ■ The Actress Enters ■ Acting Styles & Methods ■ The Actor’s Work 1,2,3,4,5 Read Ch.7 in text. Week 12 The Designer: Materializing Conception & the World of the Play ■ The Set Designers/Scenic Artists Work ■ The Lighting Designers Work ■ The Costume Designers Work ■ The Sound Designers Work 1,2,3,4,5 Read, Ch.9 in text. 8 Week 13 The Producer: Coordination, Promotion, Economics ■ Producing for Commercial Theatre – Broadway, Off Broadway, Off-Off Broadway ■ Producing in Amateur ■ Unions, Funding 1,2,3,4,5 Read Ch. 10 in text. Week 14 The History of Musical Theatre: From Operetta to Hamilton 1,2,3,4,5,6 DVD, VCR & YouTube clips. Week 15 ■ Review ■ Final Exam (Parts 1 – 9 inclusive) 1,2,3,4,5,6 Possible Note to Students: This Course Outline and Calendar is tentative and subject to change, depending upon the progress of the class.