Theatre History II

Course Details

Course Number: 2433  Section Number: 201

Spring 2012

Location: Fain Fine Arts Center

Classroom Number: B120

Days & Times:

Time:               MWF, 9:00am-9:50am

Course Attachments

Textbooks
MSU Faculty Member
Brandon Smith   
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Course Objectives

Course Objectives:

To understand the important artistic and political philosophies that inform Western Drama:  classicism, neo-classicism, romanticism, realism, theatricalism.

 

To be able to identify important individuals, groups, technologies, and events in theatre history and to understand their contributions and importance to the art form.

 

To make connections between theatrical expressions from the past and try to understand what the theatre in the past had to say about the nature of art, humanity, and society.

 

Students should have a firm understanding of various dramatic genres (tragedy, comedy, melodrama, drame, tragicomedy) and sub-genres.

 

Students are expected to apply knowledge from this course and outside study in an original research project.



 


Course Expectations

Texts:                          Required

Edwin Wilson and Alvin Goldfarb.  Living Theatre:  A History, McGraw-Hill, 2004

Moliere, Richard Wilbur. The Misanthrope and Tartuffe, Mariner Books, 1965

Pierre Corneille. The Cid, Cinna, The Theatrical Illusion, Penguin Classics, 1976

William Wycherly. The Country Wife, Nick Hern Books, 2002

William Shakespeare.  As You Like It, Oxford, 2009 (Any edition will do)

 


Grading Standards

Grading Breakdown: (on a 100 pt. Scale)

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 for 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 below.

           

            Assignments

            Homework, Class Work and Quizzes  20%

            Test 1                                                   15%

            Test 2                                                   15%

            Test 3                                                   15%

            Test 4                                                   15%

            Term Paper                                          20%

           

Grading Scale

A= 90%-100%

B=80%-89%

C=70%-79%

D=64-69%

F= < 64%        


Final Exam5/10/2012  8:00am

Submission Format Policy

Quizzes: 

Quizzes will be administered periodically throughout the semester.
 

Tests:   There will be three tests in this class. Each test will cover approximately one third of the content of the course.  Questions will be derived from lecture material, in-class discussions, and the textbook.   

 

Paper:  The paper for this course should:

 

(1)        Cover a sufficiently limited topic approved in advance by the instructor.

 

(2)        Be well organized, with (a) an introduction that establishes the scope of the topic, contains a clear statement of purpose, and establishes the main ideas to be developed, (b) a body that interestingly and adequately develops the main ideas    of the paper, and (c) a conclusion that summarizes the essential findings of the paper.

(3)        Include visual aids that give the reader a deeper understanding of the topic.

 

 

 

Extra Credit:

            There is NO EXTRA CREDIT. 



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

Late papers will not normally be accepted.  If late paper are acepted teh instructor reserves the right to make deductions as he sees fit.


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."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

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

Attendance: 

                        Attendance is mandatory.  There are NO unexcused absences.  Repeated tardiness is also unacceptable.  We have a substantial amount of material to cover and a limited amount of time.  Each day we will be covering or presenting NEW material.  Your absence will affect the progression and dynamic of the rest of the class.  You will receive a two-point grade deduction off of your final grade for each unexcused absence. There are no exceptions to this policy.  After five absences the instructor reserves the right to drop a student with an “F”.

 

 

 

 

Punctuality:

                        Role will be taken at the beginning of each class.  Each student is allowed ONE tardy (not to exceed 10 min) with no deduction during the semester.  After the first tardy, if a student is not present at the time role is taken they are marked absent.  If a student is habitually tardy to class under 10 minutes the instructor reserves the right to penalize the student accordingly.


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.