EMCC: FALL 2011 THEATRE APPRECIATION Online Syllabus (Tentative)

Course Number and Title: SPT 2233 Theatre Appreciation Instructor: Kris Lee E-mail: klee@eastms.edu Phone: As needed Course Description: An introduction of the cultural, historical, and social aspects of drama. Class content provides an appropriate theatre and performance art to develop audience standards through demonstration of the unique characteristics of theatre. A fine arts elective. Prerequisite: None. Semester Credit Hours: 3 (three) Required Text(s): Markus, Tom and Sarvar, Linda. Another Opening, Another Show: A Lively Introduction to the Theatre, 2nd edition. Mountain View, California: Mayfield Publishing Company, 2005. Internet Script: (required; free online) Oedipus Rex http://www.scribd.com/doc/208081/Oedipus-Rex Everyman - http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/everyman.html. NOTE: Purchase textbooks and any other necessary course materials, such as notebooks, etc. before the first day of class instruction. Plagiarism Statement: Collegiate work requires a strict standard of academic responsibility. While engaged in academic coursework, we encounter other peoples ideas. How we incorporate these ideas into our own work requires caution. When these ideas are not properly credited, this is referred to as plagiarism. Plagiarism involves the intentional and/or unintentional use of others words and thoughts without acknowledgement. Examples of plagiarism: Turning in someone elses work as your own Copying words or ideas from someone else without giving credit Failing to put a quotation in quotation marks Giving incorrect information about the source of a quotation Changing words or phrases (paraphrasing) while keeping the structure of a source without giving credit Copying so many words or ideas from a source that it makes up the majority of your work, whether you give credit or not Using information or graphics from an internet site without citing your source

Giving your rough draft to another person to revise or rewrite

If you are unsure whether or not a specific situation constitutes plagiarism, please ask me; I will gladly let you know. Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to do the following: Become cognizant of major historical periods in the development of western theatre. Recognize major works from various periods. Recognize the six elements that constitute theatre as a fine art. Comprehend theatre as a commercial enterprise. Identify and discuss the functions and purposes of theatre arts. Use the vocabulary of theatre and verbalize what he or she sees in a theatrical performance. Analyze and critique theatre performances, demonstrating a deeper understanding of the performances he or she encounters. Identify and discuss the history of theatre from the Greeks through the present. Write a well-organized review analyzing either a dramatic script or a live theatrical performance, or both. Navigate the Internet effectively for enrichment in and continuing study of Humanities and use e-mail for clear communication. Submit course work electronically as required. Topics that will be covered include 1) theatre as an art form, 2) theatre history, 3) dramatic literature and analysis, 4) theatre as a business, 5) theatre as a didactic form of communication, among others. Grades: Grades for this course will follow the standards published in the EMCC College Catalog. 100-90 = A 89-80 = B 79-70 = C 69-60 = D Please dont make below a 60. Theres really no need to fail this class. Breakdown of Grades for THEATRE APPRECIATION are as follows: Three Tests (25 points each) 75 points ePortfolio (5 points each/5 total) 25 points Budget assignment 50 points Script/Show Review 100 points Discussion Forums (5 points each/up to 5) 25 points Final 50 points Presentation (PPT) 25 points __________ Grade = Total/up to 350 points

Attendance: Attendance is expected for all class sessions. As this is an online course, your attendance will automatically be recorded in conjunction with the timeliness of your assignments, i.e. if you post your assignments during the allotted time, before all deadlines. NOTE: You have a full week to complete each assignment; there really is no need to turn in, or have reason to turn in, a late assignment. Any assignment not turned in at the start of the class on the day it is due, will be considered late. Each late assignment will negatively affect your overall grade for this course. Grading is done in terms of quality, content, spelling, grammar, and adherence to formatting rules. Receiving all points for an assignment is equal to a score of 100%. NOTE: It is solely the students responsibility to maintain good time management in this course. There is no gray area for missed classes, here. Good attendance in this class means getting your assignments turned in on time. A missed deadline is the same as an unexcused absence. Without absolute proof and documentation for a missed deadline, there is no venue for making grades up. Statement for Students with Disabilities: EMCC follows all Americans with Disabilities Act standards. Disclosure of a disability is voluntary. Students with disabilities are invited and encouraged to discuss their needs and accommodation strategies with the Dean of Students. Course Outline: (week of) August 22 Chapters 1 & 2 Blackboard: Discussion - Theatre and the Five Senses Blackboard: Discussion - The only theatre I know is August 29 Chapter 3 Blackboard: Watch an episode of Modern Family. Discussion: Theatre Genres, Ch. 3 Blackboard: Watch an episode of Supernatural. Discussion: Theatre Genres, Ch. 3 September 5 TEST 1: Chs. 1-3; Chapter 4; Begin reading Oedipus Rex Forum: Discussion of Williams definition of expressionism (listed) September 12 Chapter 6 Forum: Using the stage directions of Oedipus Rex, give me three examples that indicate Oedipuspersonality. September 19 Assignment: Research playwrights for short PowerPoint presentation (7-10 slides)

September 26 Chapter 5 Forum: Choose one character from Oedipus Rex and answer the following questions (listed). Productions: (MUW); (MSU); (SCT) October 3 Chapter 7; TEST 2: Chs. 4-6 Assignment: Critique: Write a brief review of an area production; if you cannot make it during this part of the semester, there will be another chance towards the end Forum "What Does Character Mean To Me" October 10 Chapter 8 Begin reading Everyman October 17 Chapter 9 ePortfolio You are designing the set for Everyman. Collect, copy, and paste examples/graphics/pictures of other online productions that would best suggest the set you would build for this production; limit of three examples. Forum Everyman questions October 24 - Chapter 13 Blackboard Research a local theater; answer the following questions (listed) October 31 Chapter 15; TEST 3 on Chs. 7-9 Assignment: Budget Wars due ePortfolio Collect, copy, and paste examples of arena, thrust, and proscenium; describe their differences. November 7 Chapter 17 ePortfolio Create a poster for Everyman (using MS Publisher, etc.) Productions: (MUW); (MSU); (SCT) Forum Commentary on musical clips (listed) Assignment: Critique: Write a brief review of one of the above plays November 14-28 (PROCTORED FINALS) = on Chs. 15, 17

EXPLANATION OF ASSIGNMENTS: I. Any assignment listed as Blackboard on this syllabus correlates to a posted item on Blackboard. In each of these circumstances, everything you will need in order to complete the assignment will either be offered on the posted item, or a link to the information will be provided. For example, I will provide you with the questions you need in order to complete, say, the activity listed for April 19, as well as others. a. Discussion forums will be posted and made public. You are required to respond to each discussion prompt offered. While there is no specific length set, I want to

II.

III.

IV.

V.

see that youve made a concerted effort to offer an intelligent response to each prompt. b. ePortfolio is an online portfolio offered through Blackboard. You will be required to keep an active portfolio this semester in which you will keep pictures, graphics, images, documents, etc.; it will house your in-class activities. NOTE: Episodes listed in the syllabus can be found for free, online. PowerPoint presentations do not have to be exhaustive. I want you, however, to demonstrate basic knowledge of this software by presenting an adequate amount of information about your chosen playwright. I would suggest you create a presentation that covers their birth and/or death, their major successes as playwrights, controversies surrounding their works (if any), awards or acknowledgments given, and things of this nature. I am not expecting a dissertation or research paper-length presentation. Please be sure to include notes at the bottom of each slide, however. You are required to write one critique of area productions. I WILL provide you with dates and locations of this semesters production schedule for MSU (Mississippi State), MUW (University for Women), and SCT (Starkville Community Theatre). You must attend at least one production this semester and write a short review of that play. I have listed two opportunities in the syllabus; find time in your schedule for this. If you do not live near these areas, you are more than welcome to find another production: church cantata, school play, etc. and attend it. Please refer to the text for an adequate definition of what a critique is (Ch. 5). It is not a plot summary, or retelling of the play. It is an in-depth look at a specific facet of the overall production (e.g., the set design, the lighting, an actors portrayal of the character, etc.) Each critique should run no more than three (3) pages, double-spaced, and in Times New Roman font. Points will be deducted for not following these guidelines. All tests will be open book, and will be set on strict deadlines; the FINAL is not open book, however, and must be proctored. Prepare yourself for setting up an appointment; slots go quickly. All other assignments should be self-explanatory.

______________________________________________________________________________
East Mississippi Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies. Dr. Jackie Stennis, Vice President for Scooba Campus Davis Administration Building P.O. Box 158 Scooba, MS 39358 662-476-5000 jstennis@eastms.edu