Course Syllabus
for DRAM 1310 Section Newton
Theatre Appreciation
2010 Spring Standard Semester
Note to Students: This may not be the most recent syllabus for this course, and any dates shown may apply to a previous semester. Any assignments included in this syllabus may change in the syllabus distributed on the class start date. Textbook information in this syllabus may also change. For current textbook information, refer to the Course Details accessed by clicking the course title in the online Course Schedule.
Theatre Appreciation 1310
Fall 2008, Spring 2009, Maymester 2009, Summer I 2009
COURSE SYLLABUS
Prepared by: Ray Newton
I. BASIC COURSE INFORMATION
A. Course description: Drama: Survey of Western Theatre Practices Greeks to the Present
B. Course title and number: Theatre Appreciation 1310
C. Classroom number and building: Building 19 - Fine Arts 115
D. Days and hours of class meetings: M-W-F 11-11:50, M (night) 6:00-8:45, & Internet
E. Last day to drop: See Catalogue
F. Last day to withdraw from institution: See Catalogue
G. Any required or recommended prerequisites, including permission of division chair for enrollment: N/A
H. Credit hours: 3
I. Breadth and major requirements the course fulfills: Fine Arts core requirement for all students, elective for all students, and core major requirement for theatre majors.
II. INFORMATION ABOUT INSTRUCTOR
A. Instructor\'s name and title: Professor Ray Newton
B. Office location: Building 19, Fine Arts 118
C. Office phone: 325-574-7652
D. E-mail address: rnewton@wtc.edu
E. Office hours: 12-12:50 M-F, M-F 2:30-4:00 pm
F. Message phone number: 325-574-7652
G. Home phone and calling restrictions: 325-573-0038 before 9:00pm
H. Relevant professional information: I\'m the best!
III. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Can I survive this class?
A. Yes! This class is designed for you to be successful if you bring your good will with you each class period.
B. Your good will must be accompanied by - your willingness to think and work critically during every class period.
C. This is a lecture class - no acting.
D. Tests are designed to assess your critical thinking skills not your ability to memorize lists of facts.
Will I have fun in this class?
A. Yes! In addition to enjoying the class you will get to learn, think, use and respond to some really cool culturally relevant ideas.
Internet students: All internet students must contact Ray Newton at rnewton@wtc.edu , before you do anything else!!!!!!!!!
IV. COURSE REQUIREMENTS, METHODS OF ASSESSMENT, ASSESSMENT CRITERIA, GRADING STANDARDS
A. Grading system [percentages, curve, etc.]: Percentages: I use a standard 90 to 100 = A, 80 to 89 = B, 70 to 79 = C, 60 to69 = D and below 60 is an F.
How many and what types of assignments: There will be 13 unit grades in this class (the number of units may vary depending on class schedule). Each assignment is worth 100 points. All assignments are of equal value. The mid term and final are each worth 200 points. All student learners must complete all units. The units are:
2. Am. Cinema-The Western, pop culture is history, True West
3. Greek and Roman Theatre, Patterns of Dramatic Action\" & The Quest: Oedipus
4. Medieval Theatre: Everyman
5. WTC live: attend live performance
6. Modern Drama\'s DNA, how to play the part, framing dramatic meaning: Hamlet,
7. Midterm (formal essay to be assigned)
8. Neoclassic drama: Tartuffe
9. Early Modern: Miss Julie,
10. Early modern continued: The Importance of Being Earnest,
11. WTC live: attend live performance
12. The rise of Psychological drama: Six Character in Search of an Author
13. The evolution of modern Theatre: Death of A Salesman
14. Final (final essay must be turned in at the final class period)
Distance learners will substitute the The Cherry Orchard, for the first WTC live production, and The Glass Menagerie for the second WTC live production assignments.
The Midterm and the Final exams will be drawn from lecture notes, reading and viewing assignments. The midterm and final will be formal essays. Each essay must be submitted twice.
Electronic communication --- Internet, moodle, on line, tape, ITV, & email classes : You must complete all 13 units. All units are due weekly. Mail your assignments in to me by email weekly. If you are using \"net flicks\" to view scenes it is your obligation to get, pay, view, and return those materials in a timely manner.
If you are using any WTC materials your grade will be withheld until you return the materials to me at WTC. If you are using WTC materials wait until the end of the semester and send all print & visual materials back to me, at the same time. Send materials back to me at:
Ray Newton
WTC
6200 College Avenue
Snyder Texas 79549
Office: 325-574-7652
Home: 325-573-0038
Email: rnewton@wtc.edu
C. Any extra credit options: NO
D. Campus support services available to help students through the course: Contact
counseling for tutoring services.
V. INFORMATION ON SECTIONS AND EXTRA SESSIONS
A. Required extra sessions: Attend 2 WTC theatre productions - all off campus electronic distance learners and summer school distance learners must substitute 2 additional assignments instead of the attendance at the WTC live performances.
B. Section/lab numbers of above: Building 19, Fine Arts Theatre
C. Classroom/lab room number(s) and building(s) of above: Building 19, WTC Fine Art Theatre - one of
the following times for each theatre production:
Fall 08: 1st show: Oct 2, 3, 4, - 7:20 till 10:20pm & Oct. 5 - 1:50-4:50pm
2nd show: Nov. 13, 14, 15 - 7:20 till 10:20pm & Nov. 18 - 1:50-4:50pm
Spring 09: 3rd show: Feb. 12, 13,14 -7:20 till 10:20pm & Feb. 15 - 1:50-4:50pm
4th show: April 23, 24, 25 - 7:20 till 10:20pm & April 26 - 1:50-4:50pm
VI. INFORMATION ON THE READINGS
Madden, David. A Pocketful of Plays: Vintage Drama Vol. 1
Madden, David. A Pocketful of Plays: Vintage Drama Vol. 2
Hacker, Diane. A Pocket Style Manual 4th ed. [or higher]
B. Rationale for selecting the required readings: The texts provide a representative sampling of theatre through the ages.
VII. OTHER REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS
A. All students: At the conclusion of each unit there will be a moodle Dram 1310 drama bank assignment. See instructor.
VIII. COURSE ORGANIZATION AND SCHEDULE
A. Course \"flow\"/organization and Instructor\'s rationale: The class will progress from contemporary to ancient and back to modern.
B. Class-by-class weekly course schedule Weekly Schedule: Please see the unit schedule.
1. Each writing assignment will follow the lecture, selected scenes, and reading assignment . For example, we will read and view most plays in four-hour units (approximate). The fourth hour or perhaps fifth hour will include the in-class writing assignment and then the sequence will move on to the next topic beginning again.
2. Each assignment is worth 100 points.
3. There are 10four-hour units planned.
4. Mid-term (2 units), Final (2 units)
5. Each live production (you will see 2) counts as a unit.
6. All assignments are weighted the same and grades will be averaged based on the last assigned and completed unit.
7. A standard 90-80-70-60% configuration will determine your letter grade. Your points will be totaled and grades assigned.
Disclaimer: The policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances. This class will conform to all WTC guidelines and changes will be summarily dictated by the instructor.
Student achievement of the objectives will vary greatly due to diverse student competency levels. The student can expect to achieve the class objectives only if their attendance is 90% or better and all assignments are turned in on time undergirded by a wealth of committed, rigorous intellectual investigation of the subject matter.
IX. COURSE POLICIES AND CLASS CONDUCT
B. Policies on attendance, tardiness, class participation:
1. What am I to do if I must be absent? - Valid documentation filed with Dean
Ralph Ramon. His number is 325-574-7625
2. Can I be excused? Yes Buttttt ----- Yes you can be excused - but the burden
of valid excused documentation rests with you.
There is an automatic 25% deduction for unexcused late assignments. You must
have a valid WTC or medical excuse for each absence. If you are a student from
the general WTC population you must document your absence with a doctor\'s
excuse with Dean Ralph Ramon. If your child is sick bring the doctor\'s statement
saying so. Your children are not welcome in the class room or at public
performances. Theatre is for adults. Bringing your child to a theatrical
performance places the child in an untenable situation. You have 72 hours after your excused date to hand in assignments. They will not be accepted after 7 days past the excused date.
If you are in a \"program\" like sports, meat judging, or drama you must bring a copy of your coach or instructor\'s excused list for that specific date that you were absent upon your return to class.
Every unexcused absence results in a 2% reduction in your semester grade. Every tardy results in a 1% reduction in your semester grade.
C. Decorum/Civility: Common courtesy must prevail at all times. Conversation and
actions not related to the goals and objectives of the class will not be tolerated and
the offender will be told to leave the classroom. The offender will be penalized
2% of their semester grade for each offense. They will be dropped from the class
upon the second occurrence. This action is at the discretion of the instructor.
D. What will I have to do in this class?
1. You must take extensive in-class notes they will be collected and graded as part of your mid term and final.
2. You will watch and read selected scenes from plays and documentaries.
3. You must bring your research assignment (readily available) with you when you come to class.
4. You must bring the required texts with you to each class.
5. Other than your midterm and final, unit quizzes are the only tests you will take for this class. You must complete writing quiz assignments in class during the designated class period.
NOTE
It is possible to answer the questions about the plays by watching the performances if you have: completed the homework assignments and brought them to class with you, read the selected readings as necessary, have your text books with you each class period, and if you take extensive notes on the lectures and the plays as you interact, watch, and listen. There are in-class assignments for every unit.
You are required to attend two public performances of plays produced by the WTC theatre department.
E. What about late in-class work
Unexcused late late work, will be accepted no more than 72 hours after its due date. Unexcused absences resulting in late assignments are subject to a 25% grade deduction penalty as long as the assignment is made up with in the 72 hour late window of acceptability. Late excused lessons can be made up with no penalty as long as the assignment is received within 72 hourss of your return.
Policies on academic integrity: There are no collaborative assignments. Collaboration is cheating. Cheaters will be dropped from the class.
X. OTHER POLICIES
A. SAFETY: A number of safety measures are in place for your continued protection. In the event of inclement weather, shelters have been designated at several locations on the campus. Your Student Handbook will have a map of these locations and you should familiarize yourself with each. The shelters will be marked at the entrance. Western Texas College is a part of the citywide call list which is activated by the local law enforcement personnel. Warnings will be given throughout the campus once the call is received.
B. EMERGENCY: All offices serve as emergency communications points. Please notify the nearest WTC staff member should you become aware of the need for assistance of any type.
C. BAD WEATHER POLICY: In the event of classes being dismissed for inclement weather, holiday, national disaster, or other unavoidable circumstances, the instructor will be responsible for notifying the students as to what the make-up requirements will be. Sufficient work will be documented to offset the number of hours missed. This notification of required make-up work will be given to students within one week upon resuming classes.
D. ADA STATEMENT: Western Texas College does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs or activities. The college counselors have been designated to coordinate compliance with the nondiscrimination requirements contained in section 35.107 of the Department of Justice regulations. Information concerning the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the rights provided thereunder, are available from the college counselors.
E. SPECIAL ASSISTANCE: If, as a result of a disability, a student needs special assistance to participate in a class, the counselor is to be notified immediately so that the prescribed process can be initiated.
F. AFFIRMATIVE ACTION: Western Texas College is an equal opportunity institution and is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
XI. INFORMATION ABOUT STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
A. Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) Core
Curriculum: Intellectual Competencies and Exemplary Objectives
Intellectual Competencies: A series of basic intellectual competencies considered essential to the learning process in any discipline. (Please check those that apply to your teaching area)
1. Reading __x_ 4. Writing _x__
2. Speaking ___ 5. Listening ___
3. Critical Thinking __x_ 6. Computer Literacy ___
Exemplary Objectives:
1. To demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in the arts and humanities.
2. To understand those works as expressions of individual and human values within an historical and social context.
3. To respond critically to works in the arts and humanities.
4. To engage in the creative processor interpretive performance and comprehend the physical and intellectual demands required of the author or visual or performing artist.
5. To articulate an informed personal reaction to works in the arts and humanities.
6. To develop an appreciation for the aesthetic principles that guide or govern the humanities and arts.
7. To demonstrate knowledge of the influence of literature, philosophy, and/or the arts on cultural experiences.
Basic Cognitive Development:
1. Gaining factual knowledge (terminology, classification, methods, trends) : Objective\'s focus: building a knowledge base (essential): The learner will be able to identify the evolutionary development of historical theatre time-periods noting the significant characteristics of each period.
2. Learning fundamental principles, generalizations, or theories: Objective\'s focus: connecting facts, understanding relationships (essential): The learner will be able to apply the characteristics of Aristotle\'s theory of play analysis to texts from different time periods.
Intellectual Development:
1. Learning to analyze and critically evaluate ideas, arguments, and points of view: Objective\'s focus: higher level thinking skills (either within or outside of a disciplinary context)(important): The learner will be able to use Aristotle\'s method of text analysis to link the timeless qualities of the representative texts to the learner\'s educational experience.
Student Leaning Outcomes:
At the end of the course the students should have demonstrated an ability to do the following:
To achieve these outcomes the students will: