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Introduction to Theatre - THEA 1030-002

9:20a.m. – 10:15 a.m.  Monday, Wednesday, & Friday

Brown Hall room 206

Syllabus spring 2011  

 

 

INSTRUCTOR:          Melissa Shafer

                                    Office:  116 Brooks Gym                   

Phone: 439-5837 (office) or 439-5831 (shop)

                                    e-mail:  shaferm@etsu.edu

Office Hours: by appointment

 

OBJECTIVE: This course is offered to provide students with an understanding and appreciation for the many aspects of theatre: dramatic literature, acting, theatrical design, stage direction, theatre history and the role of the audience.  Lectures and guest lectures, power point presentations, video presentations, and reading assignments will be the educational methods used in this class.  (3 credit hours)

 

EXPECTED OUTCOMES: As a result of taking this course the student will be able to:

 

REQUIRED TEXT:  The Theatre Experience.  Eleventh Edition.  McGraw-Hill Higher Education 2007.  Edwin Wilson. ISBN: 9780073125558  The tenth edition is acceptable—it is the student’s responsibility to translate any page assignments, power points, or other references for this edition (chapter numbers vary and contents vary slightly).

 

TEACHING METHODS: The teaching methods for this course will include lecture, guest lecturers, videos, and discussion.  This course is web-enhanced.  Students are expected to access the online Desire 2 Learn course site regularly for updates, supplemental information, and for tracking their grades.  The address for D2L access is http://elearn.etsu.edu/ .

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:           The student will read all material assigned from the required text and any support material in a timely manner.  The student must regularly attend class, view all required films and plays, take notes and take part in class discussions and exercises and complete all required exams.

 

            The student must attend at least two theatrical performances this semester (attendance to additional productions may be eligible for extra credit).  The ETSU Division of Theatre is offering two productions this semester:

 

A Midsummer Night’s Dream.  Bud Frank Theatre, Gilbreath Hall.  Thursday, February17th through Saturday, February 19th, and Thursday, February 24th through Saturday, February 26th at 7:30pm, and Sunday, February 27th at 2:00pm.

 

Third Annual Spring Dance Concert.  Veteran’s Memorial Theatre.  Thursday, March 31st through Saturday, April 2nd at 7:30pm.

 

You must write a typed one page review for each production attended.  The review must include information on what was produced (play title), where and when you viewed the performance, and who produced the piece.  You should also attempt to integrate information from the course lectures into your response to the play.  Also, please attach your ticket stub and program from the play to your review.  The last day to turn in reviews is April 29th during the scheduled class meeting.

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY:  While I do not formally take roll, your attendance in class will impact your grade.  Test material will come from lectures, videos, and performances, as well as from the book.   Quite often I see a direct correlation to a student’s attendance and their ability (or inability) to succeed on tests. 

 

PLEASE NOTE: Students must arrive to the exams on time.  Once the first finished exam is handed in no exams will be given out to students arriving after that point.  

 

Class Participation and Discussion: This course will require your attention and participation. The quality of the course will depend heavily on each student's participation in class discussion and exploration.  Please Note: Cell phones MUST be turned off while in class.  NO TEXTING!  NO CALLS!  First offense:  You will be asked to stop texting and turn off your phone.  Second offense:  You will be asked to leave the classroom. 

 

COURSE EVALUATION:    There will be four unit exams given throughout the semester.  The grades are averaged at 22.5% each.  The exams will be multiple choice, true false and/or identification.  The final exam is optional and can be treated as a grade replacement for the lowest recorded test score.  The final exam is a comprehensive exam. 

Attendance to the plays and the response papers make up the remaining 10% of the final course grade (two at 5% each).

 

GRADE SCALE:                  A = 100-94                  A- = 93-90

            B+ = 89-87                  B =  86-84                   B- = 83-80

            C+ = 79-77                  C =  76-74                   C- = 73-70

            D+ = 69-67                 D =  66-60                   F =  59 or below

 

 

Exam Information

 

Test Proctoring at the CFAA

Located in the Sherrod Library, ETSU Main Campus, 439-6708

 

Overview

§  The CFAA proctors online tests delivered through D2L.  We do not proctor paper or scantron tests.

§  Students typically take course exams over three -day periods on a walk-in basis during the center’s testing hours. 

§  Because the center administers tests for several courses concurrently, students may have to wait in line during peak testing hours; if lines are long and testing hours are drawing to a close, they may not be seated.  However, over the entire period that a test is offered there will be enough seats for all students needing to take it.

§  The CFAA provides certain accommodations for students who have followed ETSU’s protocol for documenting disabilities.  Please contact the center at 439-6708 with questions regarding these accommodations.

 

Testing Hours

§  The CFAA seats students to take tests Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Because students must complete tests before we close, we do not seat students after 9:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 4:30 p.m. on Fridays.

§  The Testing Services area is closed Saturdays and Sundays.

§  CFAA holiday hours and closings for inclement weather or emergencies follow the same schedule as Sherrod Library.  In the event of an emergency closing Testing Services staff will work with the instructor to extend testing day(s).

§  If technical problems, power outages or other unforeseen situations interrupt testing, Testing Services staff will notify the instructor and reschedule the test.

§  Please note:  If everyone waits until the last minute, ETSU cannot make full use of the center’s testing capacity.  Students may have to wait in line during peak testing hours and, if lines are long and testing hours are drawing to a close, they may not be seated.  If students miss an exam, the option is to take the optional final exam to replace it.  No other makeup exam options are offered in this course.

 

Testing Rules

§  Students must present a valid ETSU ID card to be admitted for testing.  No one will be admitted without an ID card.

§  No additional materials are allowed while taking these Introduction to Theatre exams.  Students must put all other belongings in a bag, which will be kept under their seats in the testing area.  Students may not bring tablets of paper into the Testing Services area.

§  Students will be allowed a maximum of 60 minutes to take each exam.

§  Gum, food and drinks are not allowed in the testing area.

§  Students may not wear hooded sweatshirts, hooded coats or jackets, sunglasses or hats in the testing area.  If students bring them, they must be put in the bag provided and kept under the student’s seat in the testing area.  Non-hooded sweaters or similar clothing are suggested for those who are concerned about being cold in the Sherrod Library.

§  Free earplugs are available for those who are concerned about background noise in the library.

§  Students may not bring children while taking a test.

 

 

EXTRA CREDIT:  Extra Credit may also be earned by attending play productions.  Any play production qualifies for extra credit.  Each play attended (with accompanying review and program/ticket) will count as two points added to the student’s final average for a maximum of 10 points.  The student must attend the entire production, write a one-page review (not a synopsis) of the show, and turn it in to the instructor with program and ticket stub attached no later than April 29th. 

 

PLEASE NOTE: 

·         This course adheres to the tenets of academic honesty.  Any infractions will be dealt with appropriately.   

·         Please observe the rights of others while in this class and treat your peers, guest lecturers and instructor with dignity and respect.  All cell phones and non-essential electronic devices are to be turned off while in the classroom.

·         Any student who may need an accommodation based on disability should make an appointment to see the instructor during office hours or after class.  A Faculty Accommodation Form from Disability Services authorizing your accommodations is required.

 

 

 

Introduction to Theatre  (Based on Edition 11 Chapter Numeration—It is the student’s responsibility to make adjustments if using a different edition.)

 

Spring 2011 Course Outline:

 

F              1/14                        Course Intro

                                               

M            1/17                        No Class—MLK Day                                                        

W            1/19                        Course Introduction, The Audience and Theatre Etiquette        Ch. 2 &3

F              1/21                        The Audience

 

M            1/24                        The Critic                                                                                              Chapter 4

W            1/26                        Creating the World of the Play                                                         Ch. 9     

F              1/28                        Dramatic Forms                                                                                   Ch. 10

                                               

M            1/31                        Dramatic Characters                                                                          Ch. 11

W            2/2                          Dramatic Characters continued

F              2/4                         

 

M            2/7                          Tragedy and Other Serious Drama                                                  Ch. 12

W            2/9                          Tragedy continued

F              2/11                        Review

 

Exam 1 (Chapters 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12) available in the CFAA February 14-17

 

M            2/14                        Comedy                and Tragicomedy                                                                                Ch. 13

                                                Exam 1 Available in CFAA                                              

W            2/16                        Comedy and Tragedy continued

Exam 1 Available in CFAA

F              2/18                        Global Theatre                                                                                     Ch. 17

                                               

M            2/21                        Contemporary American Theatre                                                    Ch. 19

W            2/23                        Musical Theatre                                                                                   Ch. 18

F              2/25                        Musical Theatre continued

 

M            2/28                        Musical Theatre continued

W            3/2                          No Class--SETC  

F              3/4                          No Class--SETC                                                                                  

               

March 7-11 Spring Break, No Class

 

Exam 2 (Chapters 13, 17, 18, 19) available in the CFAA March 14-17

 

M            3/14                        Review - Exam 2 Available in CFAA

W            3/16                        Acting Offstage and In the Past                                                       Ch. 6

Exam 2 Available in CFAA

F              3/18                        Stage Acting Today                                                                            Ch. 7

 

M            3/21                        Stage Acting continued

W            3/23                        Stage Acting continued                     

F              3/25                        The Director and the Producer                                                          Ch. 8

 

M            3/28                        The Director and the Producer continued                                                                      

W            3/30                        The Director and the Producer continued                                                                      

F              4/1                          Review

 

Exam 3 (Chapters 6, 7 & 8) available in the CFAA April 4-7

 

M            4/4                          Stage Spaces                                                                                        Ch. 5

Exam 3 Available in CFAA                                                              

W            4/6                          Stage Spaces continued – Exam 3 Available in CFAA

F              4/8                          Scenery                                                                                                  Ch. 14                                   

 

M            4/11                        Scenery continued

W            4/13                        Costumes                                                                                              Ch. 15

F              4/15                        Costumes continued

 

M            4/18                        Lighting & Sound                                                                                Ch. 16

W            4/20                        Lighting & Sound continued

F              4/22                        Review                                 

 

Exam 4 (Chapters 5, 14, 15 & 16) available in the CFAA April 25-28

 

M            4/25                        Review - Exam 4 Available in CFAA

W            4/27                        No class - Exam 4 Available in CFAA                                           

F              4/29                        Review for Final Exam – Last day to turn in Play Reviews

                                               

M            5/2                          Optional Comprehensive Final Exam 8:00-10:00am

                                                The grade for this exam will replace a lower or missed exam grade.

                                                This test will be administered in the classroom—Brown Hall 206.