Kaskaskia College DRMA 210 Theatre History

Tuesday and Thursday 1:00-2:15L 218

Instructor: David QuinnOffice: HB 206

Phone: 545-3379Email: dquinn@kaskaskia.edu

Office Hours: TBA

1. TEXTBOOK

Living Theatre: History of Theatre, 6th Editionby Edwin Wilson and Alvin Goldfarb

2. COURSE DESCRIPTION

This theatre course examines the history of the theatre from the classical Greek period through the present day. This course will look at many elements of theatre including performances, stage design, costumes, masks, acting, and playwrights.

3. COURSE OBJECTIVES

The student is expected to: Demonstrate a working knowledge of the evolution of western theatre. Be aware of the elements of theatrical performance and productions and their

development through history. Be able to research and write effectively about a major theatre history topic. Study, analyze, and appreciate other cultures and their theatrical development.

INSTRUCTOR POLICIES

All formal assignments are due on the assigned date and must be typed. In class assignments, note cards, discussions, and group presentations that are missed cannot be made up and no credit can be earned, unless arrangements prior to the absence are communicated to the instructor. Please make sure that you are aware of the due dates for the assignments and tests. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to discover what you missed from one of your classmates.

ATTENDANCE at all class meetings is expected of all students. An essential part of any course offering is the classroom experience. Therefore, excessive student absences will have a detrimental effect on learning and grades. Excessive absences are defined as more than twice the number of weekly meetings. Students with excessive absences will fail the course. Students who arrive late are a disruption to the instructor and other students. Please arrive to class on time. Do not use cell phones, I-Pods, or headphones in class. Do not text in class. Do not use lap tops in class. Do not work on homework for other classes in this class. Do not sleep in this class. Do not talk to other students during speeches and lectures. You will be dropped from class if you do not follow these guidelines.

STUDENT REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS

There will be four exams that will include essay questions.You will prepare two essays on different periods of theatre history.Students will have a grade penalty for any late work.

4. GRADING SYSTEM

Grades will be assessed on a point system. This is enumerated below. Exam I 100 ptsExam II 100 ptsExam III 100 ptsExam IV 100 ptsEssay I 100 ptsEssay II 100 ptsClass Participation 100 pts -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Total Possible Points 700 pts

Final Grades:A 630-700B 560-629C 490-559D 420-489F 0-419 or excessive absences

5. EXAMS

Exam I: chapters 1, 2, 3, 5Exam II: chapters 6, 7, 9Exam III: chapters 10, 11, 12Exam IV: chapters 13, 14, 15, 16All exams will contain multiple choice, true/false, short answer, and essay questions.

6. Theatre History Essays

There will be a handout for each of the essays. Each essay will focus on either one period of theatre history, or will compare two periods of theatre history. The length of each essay will be a minimum of 1,250 words.

SPECIAL NOTE ON POLICIES AND REGULATIONS

In this syllabus you are presented with a number of rules and regulations. Most students have a negative first reaction to lists of rules, but keep in mind that there are several important reasons for including policies and rules within a college course. First of all, rules provide for greater FAIRNESS in the course. All students are subject to the same procedures. Secondly, rules provide greater CLARITY. Each student has a clearer understanding of what is and is not acceptable within the framework of the course. And

lastly, demonstrating the ability to adapt to rules is an EDUCATIONAL GOAL. More and more employers view a college degree as evidence that the student has acquired specific skills that will be applicable to his/her job. Being able to follow rules and accepting the consequences of not following those rules are both very high on any employer’s list of skills.

COURSE OUTLINE

Below is the tentative calendar and sequence of information that will be covered in class. Changes in this schedule may occur and will be announced in class.

Week 1 Introductions and syllabus reviewChapter 1 – Theatre: It’s Origins and History

Week 2 Chapter 2 – Greek TheatreTragic Playwrights, Festival of Dionysus, The Chorus, Aristotle

Week 3 Chapter 3 – Roman TheatrePlautus and Terrence, Roman Tragedy, Fall of the Empire

Week 4 Chapter 5 – Medieval Theatre

Liturgical Drama, Cycle Plays, Morality Plays Review for Exam I

Week 5 Exam IChapter 6 – Italian RenaissanceOpera, Commedia dell’Arte, Proscenium Stage

Week 6 Chapter 7 – English RenaissanceShakespeare, Marlowe, The Globe Theatre

Week 7 Chapter 9 – French Neoclassical TheatreNeoclassicism, Corneille, Racine, Moliere

Week 8 First essay due for full creditReview for Exam IIExam II

Week 9 Chapter 10 – English RestorationRestoration Comedy, Actresses, The Drury Lane Theatre

Week 10 Chapter 11 – Eighteenth CenturyMiddle-Class Tragedy, Sturm and Drang, Melodramas, David Garrick

Week 11 Chapter 12 – Theatre 1800-1875The Well Made Play, Acting Styles, Actor-Managers, The Box Set

Week 12 Review for Exam IIIExam III

Week 13 Chapter 13 – Theatre 1875-1915Ibsen, Realism, Stanislavski, Theatre Libre, Moscow Art Theatre

Week 14 Chapter 14 – Theatre 1915-1945Expressionism, Epic Theatre, Brecht, Pirandello, Eugene O’Neill

Week 15 Chapter 15 – Theatre 1945-1975Absurdism, Arthur Miller, Tennessee Williams, Musical TheatreSecond essay due for full credit

Week 16 Chapter 16 – Contemporary TheatreTheatrical Diversity, August Wilson, David Mamet, Stephen SondheimReview for Exam IV

Week 17 Exam IV – check final exam schedule for day and time

7. LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon completion of the course, students should be able to: Explain the evolution of western theatre Explain the elements of theatrical performance and productions Write an effective research essay on major theatre history topics Appreciate and understand theatre development in other cultures

Theatre History

100 point essay Essay #1 (Essay #2 same for two periods studied in second half of the semester)

Compare and contrast any two periods of theatre history covered so far in class. Greek Theatre, Roman Theatre, Medieval Theatre, Italian Renaissance, English Renaissance, and French Renaissance

If you find this too broad, you may narrow your focus to the playwriting of two periods, or the scene design, etc.

You may use your text book and notes from class, but have at least two additional outside sources.

This essay should be at least 1,250 words (probably at least 5 pages typed, double spaced).

Include a bibliography page at the end of your essay. Do not count the bibliography section in your total word count!This first essay is due Thursday, March 1.Your second and final essay will be assigned later and will be due Thursday, May 3.

DRMA 210 – THEATRE HISTORY

SYLLABUS AGREEMENT

IMPORTANT:

After you read and understand the above guidelines, read the following statement. Print THIS PAGE ONLY and bring in the printed copy our next class meeting.

I have read, understood, and agree to abide by the above mentioned guidelines for DRMA 210 – THEATRE HISTORY with Professor Quinn. I understand the academic integrity policy and the consequences for violating the policy. I also understand that it is my responsibility to withdraw or drop this course if I choose not to complete it. Failure to do so will result in my being charged for the course.

Student: ________________________________________ Date: ________________________