Theatre Appreciation Honors

Course Details

Course Number: 1503  Section Number: 2H

Spring 2012

Location: Fain Fine Arts Center

Classroom Number: B118

Days & Times:

Time:               MWF, 11:00am-11:50am

Course Attachments

Class Schedule  Theatre Appreciation 2012-20120327-145409.docx

Textbooks
MSU Faculty Member
Brandon Smith   
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Course Objectives

Learning Goals:

                        Students will learn to:

 

                        •           Read plays and analyze them as both cultural commentary and as a                                       blueprint for performance.

                        •           Develop and apply a basic vocabulary of theatrical terms.

                        •           Recognize and apply key information from the four major historical                                      periods of theatre.

                        •           Apply Aristotle’s six elements of plays studied during the course.     

                        •           Identify and evaluate the work of the various artists who collaborate to                                             create theatrical events, such as actors, directors, producers, and                                                        designers.

                        •           Attend and analyze theatrical productions on campus.  

                        •           Create and present a short original solo performance piece.

                        •           Write clearly structured essays combining specialized terminology                                         with the student's own voice.

                        •           Collaborate to create, rehearse, and perform a 5-7 minute play with                                       classmates…

                                                                                    OR

                                    Write a 1000 word research paper on an element of theatre history.

           

 


Course Expectations

Texts:                          Required

                       

                        Wainscott, Ronald, and Kathy Fletcher, Theatre Collaborative Acts Third Ed.,                                   Boston:  Pearson Education, 2010 

 

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

                       

                        Arthur Miller, Death of a Salesman, (Any Edition will do)

                       

                        Tom Stoppard, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, New York,

                        Samuel French, 1967


Grading Standards

Grading Breakdown: (on a 1000 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 and Participation

 

100 Points

Quizzes

 

100 Points

Test I

 

100 Points

Test II

 

100 Points

Analysis I

As You Like It

50 Points

Analysis II

Death of a Salesman

50 Points

Analysis III

Rosenrantz and Guildenstern…

50 Points

Solo Piece

 

100 Points

Response I

Bandersnatch

100 Points

Response II

The Shape of Things

100 Points

 

 

 

Final

Play or Research

150 Points

 

TOTAL

1000 Points

 

Grading Scale:

A= 90%-100%

B= 89%-80%

C=79%-70%

D=69%-60%

F= Below 60%

 

Assignments will always be due at the beginning of class.  Any assignment not turned in at the beginning of class will be considered late.   Late work will not normally be accepted.  The instructor reserves the right to accept late work at his discretion, but will penalize students a minimum of 15 points per day on any late assignments. 


Final Exam5/7/2012  8:00am

Submission Format Policy

Participation:

            Each student must come to class Fully Prepared and ready to participate.  You will be graded daily on your preparedness for class, as well as your willingness to participate in a positive and stimulating manner.  Students will demonstrate this through participation in exercises, presentation of homework (of any kind), and articulate discussion that pertains to the course work. 

 

Quizzes: 

There will be quizzes given at random intervals during the semester to test students on their reading and understanding of concepts.  There will be quizzes in addition to those outlined in the syllabus.

 

Play Analysis:

            Students will be expected type a review for each play analyzed using guidelines from the lecture. These papers should be a minimum of 500 words.

 

Final Exam:

            The final exam will be either a research paper or performance of an original play.

 

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

Assignments will always be due at the beginning of class.  Any assignment not turned in at the beginning of class will be considered late.   Late work will not normally be accepted.  The instructor reserves the right to accept late work at his discretion, but will penalize students a minimum of 15 points per day on any late assignments. 


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.  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, and very often it is material that will require the assistance of a partner.  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.

 

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.  No exceptions.


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.