University of Minnesota Duluth

TH 1001-001 INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE ARTS
Spring 2002
 
Associate Professor William E. Payne
Department of Theatre
144 Marshall Performing Arts Center
(218) 726-8597
<wpayne@d.umn.edu>

Office Hours

By Appointment

Class Meeting Time & Place

Engineering Rm. # 290
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 12:00 p.m. - 12:50 p.m.

Required Textbooks

The Compact Bedford Introduction to Drama
by Lee A. Jacobson (fourth edition)

Course Objectives

1.To introduce the student to the various components of the collaborative art of theatre and how these diverse art forms coalesce to create a performance.
2.To introduce the student to the history of the development of dramatic art and its relationship with the society that it emerged from.
3.To introduce the student to a variety of performances followed by reflection upon the experience through discussion and written assignments.
4.To promote the development of the students critical thinking skills and aesthetic appreciation of their culture.

 

Course Requirements

1.The student must complete a Mid-Term exam and a Final exam.
2.The student must complete eight quizzes covering the reading material.
3.The student must write four short papers concerning required live performances/events that they will be attending or observing during the semester.

This course will cover the basic components of the art of theatre, the nature of live performance and the connection between theatre and society through lecture, discussion, small group projects, attending live performances/events and the creation of written responses. During the term, students are required to attend three theatre productions, preferably those presented by the U.M.D. Department of Theatre. The student will write a short (2-3 pages) response paper on a particular theme. The student will also observe a public event and write a response paper using theatrical terms. The students will have reading assignments that are designed to enhance the lecture/discussion topic of the day. There will be eight unannounced quizzes throughout the quarter. The student is responsible for having read the material at the beginning of every class following the day it is assigned. There will be a mid-term examination covering the first half of the class and a final examination that will be comprehensive. Attendance is not required, it is expected ! The quizzes will be unannounced and given at that time only. The exams will include questions from the reading material AND from our class work, lectures, and discussions. Theatre is difficult to teach through text alone - it exists in time and space. If you take your space during the time we meet, you should be prepared for your examinations.

PLAGIARISM STATEMENT
 Plagiarizing from another text is not allowed under any circumstances. Any student caught plagiarizing will automatically receive a zero on the assignment and their final grade will be dropped one full letter grade.
NOTE
 Individuals who have any disability, either permanent or temporary, which might effect their ability to perform in this class are encouraged to inform the instructor at the start of the quarter. Adaptation of methods, materials or testing may be made as required to provide equitable participation.

 

POINTS BREAKDOWN GRADING SCALE

Points Breakdown
4 short papers x 10 pts. each 40 pts.
8 quizzes x 7 pts. each . 56 pts
Mid-Term examination . 64 pts
Final examination . 90 pts
TOTAL POINTS 250 pts.
Grading Scale
A 91% 227 pts
A- 88% 220 pts
B+ 85% 212 pts
B 81% 202 pts
B- 78% 195 pts
C+ 75% 187 pts
C 72% 180 pts
C- 69% 172 pts
D+ 66% 165 pts

D

 62% 155 pts
F   154 and below

 

 

COURSE CALENDAR

wk 1

1-23 Review Syllabus What is Drama?/ READ: Pgs. 1-5,13-21
1-25 Genres, Elements of Drama & Empathy/ READ: Pgs. 6-13 & Fences pgs..826-855

wk 2

1-28 The Great Ages of Drama - Art & Society
1-30 Discuss Fences
2-1 Discuss Fences & Acting/ READ: Pgs. 501-509

wk 3

2-4 Discuss Dance with guest Kim Neal Nofsinger (in Marshall Theatre)
2-6 Drama in the Early & Mid 20th Century READ: Desire Under The Elms Pgs. 548-573
2-8 Discuss Desire Under The Elms READ: Glossary

wk 4

2-11 Discuss Desire Under The Elms & Directing
2-13 Discuss Theater Production/ QUIZ on Glossary
2-15 Post WW II Drama/ READ: Death of a Salesman pgs.655-696

wk 5

2-18 Post WW II Drama
2-20 Discuss Death of a Salesman
2-22 Discuss Death of a Salesman & Scenery/ READ: Pgs. 786-798

wk 6

2-25 NO CLASS - SEE A PLAY!
2-27 Discuss Top Girls & Scenery (in Dudley Theater)
3-1 Contemporary Drama/ READ: How I Learned To Drive Pgs. 886-908

wk 7

3-4 Contemporary Drama
3-6 Contemporary Drama
3-8 Discuss How I Learned To Drive

wk 8

3-11 Discuss How I Learned To Drive & Playwrighting
3-13 Review for Mid Term Examination (2 short papers due by this date)
3-15 Mid Term Examination/ READ: Pgs. 29-38Spring Break 3-16 through 3-24

wk 9

3-25 Origins of Drama & Greek Drama/ READ: Antigone Pgs. 77-96
3-27 Mid Term Returned, Reviewed
3-29 Discuss Antigone

wk 10

4-1 Discuss Antigone & Costumes/ READ: Pgs. 129-144
4-3 Roman Drama/ READ: Everyman Pgs.145-153, 167-179
4-5 Medieval Drama

wk 11

4-8 Medieval Drama & Sound/ READ: Pgs. 180-191
4-10 Renaissance Drama/ READ: Othello Pgs. 236-293
4-12 Renaissance Drama

wk 12

4-15 Renaissance Drama
4-17 Discuss Othello
4-19 Discuss Othello (Class Outing to see Romeo & Juliet?)

wk 13

4-22 Discuss Romeo & Juliet/ READ: Pgs. 326-334
4-24 Discuss Romeo & Juliet & Lighting (in Marshall Theater) Guest Speaker Mark Harvey
4-26 Late 17th & 18th Century Drama/ READ: Pgs. 361-371& A Doll House Pgs. 372-406

wk 14

4-29 19th Century Drama
5-1 Discuss A Doll House
5-3 Discuss A Doll House/ READ: Glossary

wk 15

5-6 OVERVIEW: DRAMA 3000 B.C. - 1850/ QUIZ #2 on Glossary
5-8 OVERVIEW: DRAMA 1850 - 2002
5-10 Review for Final Examination Final 2 Papers Due

Final Examination Friday May 17 8:00 a.m.