Syllabus

THEA 2530 Dramatic Structure Fall 2010

9:20AM – 10:15AM Monday, Wednesday, Friday

Brooks Gym room 104

Instructor:  Melissa Shafer

Office: 116 Brooks Gym

Phone: 439-5837 

E-mail: shaferm@etsu.edu

Office Hours:  Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 2:00pm – 4:00pm or by appointment

Course Description:  This is a writing intensive course that seeks to explore the different dramatic literary movements that arose from various cultures throughout written history.  We will also investigate various styles and genres and current trends in dramatic literature and contemporary theatre production.

Required Text:  The Bedford Introduction to Drama, sixth edition, by Lee A. Jacobus

Course Objectives: As a result of having taken this course the student should be able to:

·         Identify the genre and style of a play script such as realism, naturalism, surrealism, symbolism, expressionism, epic, absurdist, etc.   

·         Effectively analyze a play script for its major themes

·         Research a play script with regard to the cultural and historical time it was written

·         Recognize current trends in Dramatic Structure and in the Theatre Arts

Teaching Methods for this course:  The teaching methods for this course will include lecture, discussion, and hands-on exercises.  This course is web-enhanced.  Students are expected to access the online Desire 2 Learn course site regularly for updates, assignments, and quizzes.  The address for D2L access is: http://elearn.etsu.edu/. If you need further assistance the student help desk can be reached by phone at 439-5648, 3-4648, or by e-mail at shdesk@imail.etsu.edu.

Attendance Policy:  The performing arts are, by their very nature, a collective of artists working together to create a theatrical experience. Timely, consistent attendance and timely, thorough, thoughtful preparation are the keys to being a valuable contributor to any creative team.  Therefore, good attendance is an important ethic to develop and poor attendance will be looked upon with disfavor. Three absences (excused and/or unexcused) will be allowed, any that occur after the three will result in the lowering of the final grade one full letter grade. If a student misses a day they are to present material, they will not be given the opportunity to makeup that assignment. Three tardies will be considered one absence. If you are having serious issues that are preventing your good attendance, please make an appointment to speak with me as early as possible. Good communication is also an important skill to develop. 

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 and will receive an unexcused absence for the day. 

Course Evaluation:  As this course is writing intensive, there are several written assignments throughout the semester.

10 Essay Assignments                                                                                    25%

10 Quizzes                                                                                                           25%

Rough Draft of Play                                                                                         10%

Final Draft of Play                                                                                             20%

Daily Grade: assignments, quizzes, in-class participation               10%

Final Exam                                                                                                           10%

Assignments:  There are ten essays and quizzes that cover the assigned readings.  The essay topic is written from your choice of the questions on the assigned reading under “writing suggestions” page on the Bedford Introduction to Drama website: http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/jacobus6e/default.asp

The essay should be 2-3 pages, double spaced, and is due in the D2L digital drop box by 5pm on the day of the quiz. 

The quizzes cover the assigned readings and will be multiple-choice, true or false, matching and/or short answer quiz.  The final exam will be comprised of questions compiled from the ten quizzes.

The short play will be a reworking of a classic story into a vastly different genre from its original form.  There will be more detailed information on these assignments posted on D2L as the semester progresses. 

In addition to the essays, quizzes, play script, and final exam, participation in class discussions and daily assignments will complete the work evaluated for the earned grade.    

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

Please note: 

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

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

·         Additional information can be found at http://www.etsu.edu/reg/academics/syllabus.aspx

Course Schedule: (subject to change)

WEEK ONE:         Reading Assignment: Introduction: Thinking about Drama pgs. 1- 22

M            8/30       Introduction

W            9/1         In class: Ionesco and The Bald Soprano pgs. 1142-1161

F              9/3         Quiz #1 

WEEK TWO:        Reading Assignment: Samuel Beckett and Krapp’s Last Tape pgs. 1162-1175

                                Additional Reading:  Footfalls and Come and Go

M            9/6         Labor Day - No Class

W            9/8         Discussion of reading assignments

F              9/10       Quiz #2

WEEK THREE:     Reading Assignment: Contemporary Drama pgs. 1235 – 1249

Harold Pinter and The Homecoming pgs. 1289 – 1320

Additional reading: The Dumb Waiter

M            9/13       Discussion of reading assignments

W            9/15       Discussion of reading assignments

F              9/17       Quiz #3

WEEK FOUR:      Reading Assignment: Greek Drama pgs. 30-38

                                Aristophanes and Lysistrata pgs. 164 - 187

M            9/20       Discussion of reading assignments

W            9/22       Discussion of reading assignments

F              9/24       Quiz #4

WEEK FIVE:         Reading Assignment: Euripides and Medea  pgs. 135-163

M            9/27       Discussion of reading assignments

W            9/29       Discussion of reading assignments

F              10/1       Quiz #5

WEEK SIX:            Reading Assignment: Roman Drama pgs. 188-204

M            10/4       Discussion of reading assignments

W            10/6       Discussion of reading assignments

F              10/8       Quiz #6

WEEK SEVEN:     Reading Assignment: Medieval Drama pgs. 205-251

M            10/11     No Class – personal day

W            10/13     Discussion of Beckett/Pinter Productions

F              10/15     Discussion of reading assignments

WEEK EIGHT:      Reading Assignment: Medieval Drama pgs. 205-251

M            10/18     Fall Break – No class

W            10/20     Discussion of reading assignments

F              10/22     TTA – No class

WEEK NINE:        Reading Assignment: Shakespeare and A Midsummer Night’s Dream pgs. 296-336

M            10/25     Discussion of reading assignments

W            10/27     Discussion of reading assignments

F              10/29     Quiz #7                                                                                

WEEK TEN:         Reading Assignment: Monzaemon and The Love Suicides at Sonezaki pgs. 583-600

M            11/1       Discussion of reading assignments

W            11/3       Discussion of reading assignments

F              11/5       Quiz #8                

WEEK ELEVEN:  Reading Assignment: Pirandello and Six Characters in Search of an Author pgs. 908-932

M            11/8      Discussion of reading assignments                                              Assign Play Script Parameters

W            11/10     Discussion of reading assignments

F              11/12     Discussion of reading assignments

WEEK TWELVE: Reading Assignment: Brecht and Mother Courage and Her Children pgs. 987-1027

M            11/15     Discussion of reading assignments

W            11/17     Discussion of reading assignments

F              11/19     Quiz #9

WEEK THIRTEEN: Reading Assignment: Wilson and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Fences pgs. 1443-1482

M            11/22     Discussion of Lysistrata                                              Rough Drafts of Scripts– D2L Drop box Due Date

W            11/24     Discussion of reading assignments

F              11/26     Thanksgiving Holiday No Class

WEEK FOURTEEN: Reading Assignment: Wilson and Fences pgs. 1482-1543

M            11/29     Discussion of reading assignments

W            12/1      Discussion of reading assignments

F              12/3       Quiz #10

WEEK FIFTEEN:

M            12/6       Read Play Scripts in Class                                Final Draft of Scripts – D2L Drop box Due Date

W            12/8       Read Play Scripts in Class

F              12/10     Read Play Scripts in Class

FINAL EXAM – Monday, December 13th at 8:00am