MSU Faculty Member
Course Objectives
To read and analyze a number of representative plays from ancient Greece to contemporary times. [Related learning outcome: A working knowledge of the development of theatre through various periods and cultures]
To apply various methods of play analysis—dynamic, rhetorical, thematic, imagistic, linguistic, and historical/biographical—to the plays and to discover the different results that each type of analysis will yield. [Related learning outcome: Theoretical/conceptual knowledge of performance and design/technical areas and the ability to put this knowledge safely into practice for public performance]
To contemplate how various analytical discoveries might translate, or have translated, into the design, direction, and performance of a play. [Related learning outcome: Theoretical/conceptual knowledge of performance and design/technical areas and the ability to put this knowledge safely into practice for public performance]
To understand essential differences between realism and non-realistic modes of dramatic expression—both pre-realistic and post-modern modes. [Related learning outcomes: knowledge of the development of theatre and theoretical/conceptual knowledge]
To understand the distinguishing features of tragedy, comedy, drame, melodrama, and tragicomedy. [Related learning outcomes: knowledge of the development of theatre and theoretical/conceptual knowledge]
Course Expectations
There will be three major examinations, each covering approximately half of the content of the course.
For each of the plays read in class, the student will prepare either a commentary or a take-home essay. The commentaries should be 3-5 pages long and should be prepared electronically (double-spaced). Grammar, spelling, punctuation, and neatness, as well as substance and clarity, will be taken into account in grading the commentaries.
The commentaries must be free of plagiarism (see "Student Rights and Responsibilities" below) with all ideas from outside sources cited.
Students are required to attend, or participate in, the MSU Theatre's semester productions:
1. The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later by Moises Kaufman, Leigh Fondakowski, Greg Pierotti, Andy Paris, and Stephen Belber
-- Wednesday, September 28, at 11:00 a.m.
-- Thursday-Saturday, September 29-30/October 1, at 7:30 p.m.
-- Sunday, October 2 at 2:30 p.m.
2. Bandersnatch by Brandon Smith and Josh Blann
-- Wednesday, November 16, at 11:00 a.m.
-- Thursday through Saturday, November 17-19, at 7:30 p.m.
-- Sunday, November 20, at 2:30 p.m.
Students are encouraged to attend the Dallas Theatre Center's production of The Tempest (September 9 through October 9) and To Kill a Mockingbird (October 21 through November 21). Performances of both plays will occur at the Wyly Theatre in the Downtown Arts District.
Grading Standards Attendance/Participation .......................................................................... 100
0 misses = 100 points
1 miss = 95 points
2 misses = 85 points
3 misses = 70 points
4 misses = 60 points
5 misses = 40 points
More than 5 misses = 0 points
Quizzes .................................................................................................100
Play Commentaries (100 points each) ....................................................... 500
Test 1 ..................................................................................................150
Test 2 ..................................................................................................150
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*Total: 1000
Final Grade: 895-1000 = A, 795-894 = B, 695-794 = C, 595-694 = D, 0-594 = F
Scale for Grading Daily Work (grades assigned to nearest percentage point):
A = 96-100% B+ = 87-89% C+ = 77-79% D+ = 67-69% F = <60%
A- = 90-95 % B = 83-86% C = 73-76% D = 63-66%
B- = 80-82% C- = 70-72% D- = 60-62%
*Note: The instructor reserves the right to adjust or cancel assignments as the course progresses. If, for some reason, assignments administered total somewhat more or fewer than 1,000 points, the method of obtaining the final grade will remain essentially the same: the total points achieved will be divided by the total points possible to obtain a percentage, and a grade will be assigned according to the percentage scale outlined above.
Submission Format Policy Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.Late Paper Policy
Make-up work may be given if – and only if:
(a) The student notifies the instructor before class or presents a doctor's excuse upon returning, and
(b) The student takes responsibility for scheduling a make-up test (or other missed graded assignment) with the instructor on the first day of return.
All graded assignments should be submitted on or before the deadline. The instructor reserves the right to reject late assignments. Grade deductions will be applied to late assignments that are accepted.
Plagiarism Policy
Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated , whether intentional or not.
Student Honor Creed
As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so." Students with Disabilities
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.
Safe Zones Statement
The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.
Contacting your Instructor
All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.
Attendance Requirements
(1) Students should follow the syllabus to keep track of assignments and should take thorough notes during class discussions and lectures. Keeping up with assigned reading is imperative.
(2) Attendance at class sessions is expected. Upon his/her fifth absence, excused or not, the student may be dropped from the class by the instructor.
(3) The instructor will not be held responsible for recording attendance for a student who is tardy, and he reserves the right to disallow counting a student present who is extremely tardy.
Other Policies
Dr. Ron Fischli, Fain Fine Arts Center, B128
Office phone : 397-4274 or 397-4243. Blackberry: 867-3315.
Email address : ron.fischli@mwsu.edu
Office hours : Except for class and lunch hours, I am usually available to see students in my office on all weekdays. Furthermore, I maintain an open door policy. However, because my schedule of administrative obligations is unpredictable, it is best to make an appointment to see me.
STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
PRIVACY:
Federal law prohibits the instructor from releasing information about students to parties outside of the university without signed consent of the student. Thus, in almost all cases the instructor will not discuss a student's academic progress or other matters with his/her parents.
ADAPTATIONS AND ACCOMMODATIONS:
If a student (1) needs course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, (2) has emergency medical information that needs sharing, or (3) requires special accommodations in case the building must be evacuated, he/she should make an appointment with the professor as soon as possible.
CONDUCT:
Classroom behavior that interferes with either the instructor's ability to conduct the class or the ability of other students to profit from the instruction will result in the instructor's removing the disruptive student(s) from the class.
PLAGIARISM:
Plagiarism is (1) the use of source material of other persons (either published or unpublished, including the Internet) without following the accepted techniques of giving credit or (2) the submission for credit of work not the individual's to whom credit is given. If a student in the class is caught plagiarizing, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken. The Student Creed developed and adopted by the MSU Student Government reinforces the discouragement of plagiarism and other unethical behaviors. The first statement of the Creed reads, "As an MSU student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else to do so." Plagiarism is lying, cheating, and stealing.
Writing Proficiency Requirement
All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr , or call 397-4131.