Meeting Times, Location, & Course Delivery Details
Contact Information
Upon successful completion of this course…
1. The student will be able to analyze and evaluate a theatrical work of performing art according to stylistic,
historical and aesthetic concepts.
2. The student will be able to discuss the historical context of theatre and drama and how it relates to
society and culture.
3. The student will be able to demonstrate proficiency in writing skills.
Textbook
Gainor, J. Ellen, et al. The Norton Anthology of Drama. 3rd ed., vol. 2, W.W. Norton & Company, 2018.
ISBN: 9780393283488
Upon successful completion of this course, each student will be able to:
- Understand the perspectives of cultures other than their own. (G, CR, CT)
- Understand global issues, especially as they relate to peace, social justice, and/or ecology. (G, CR, CT)
- Understand their role as an engaged member of an interconnected global community. (G, CR, EC)
- Relate material to W.C. mission, vision, and core values. (G, CR)
- Examine play texts critically from historical, cultural, and theoretical points of view. (CT, IL)
- Conduct research using the library system on campus and as a means of increasing understanding of a theatrical text through primary and secondary sources. (CT, EF, IL, TI)
- Demonstrate mastery of the terminology and distinguishing characteristics of the theatres of multiple regions and eras. (IL, TI, CR)
- Place major plays, playwrights, practitioners, and performance practices within a larger cultural, political, social, religious, and historical context. (IL, TI, CT, EC, CR)
- Synthesize and present research by explaining how historical context affects the world of the play on stage (character, performance style, design/aesthetics, etc.). (CR, CT, EC, TI, IL)
- Demonstrate an understanding of and discuss how theater reflects and shapes our culture. (CR, CT, EC, IL)
Tentative Schedule
Subject to change during the semester. Adequate notice of changes will be given.
| Week 1 | 1/12 | Before Class: Nothing to prepare Class: Syllabus, Community, Book, Writing Expectations, In-class writing prompt |
| 1/14 | Before Class: Look over syllabus, Blackboard, prepare any questions you have. Beth Henley Bio on Blackboard Class: Review Syllabus, Begin Crimes of the Heart | |
| 1/16 | Before Class: Read Crimes of the Heart end of Act 1 Class: Discuss Act 1 & Begin Act 2 Crimes of the Heart | |
| Week 2 | 1/19 | NO CLASS: MLK DAY |
| 1/21 | Before Class: Read to the end of Act 2 in Crimes of the Heart Class: Discuss Act 2 & Begin Act 3 Crimes of the Heart Prediction writing prompt | |
| 1/23 | Before Class: Finish Reading Crimes of the Heart Class: Final discussion activity for Crimes of the Heart | |
| Week 3 | 1/26 | Before Class: Work on Response Paper & Read 982-985 Albee Bio Class: SNOW DAY with out of class assignment |
| 1/28 | Before Class: Class: Discuss Albee, Absurdism Article, Truth vs. Illusion. Begin Zoo Story | |
| 1/30 | Before Class: Crimes of the Heart Response Paper due if selected. Prepare for Frank’s visit by reading Bio on Blackboard Class: Quaker in Residence Visit: Q&A with playwright & screenwriter Frank Levering. | |
| Week 4 | 2/2 | Before Class: Finish Reading Zoo Story Be prepared to discuss Zoo Story in class today Class: Zoo Story Final Discussion and Activity, Truth vs. Illusion |
| 2/4 | Before Class: Read Shepard Bio on Blackboard Class: Introduction to Sam Shepard: Go West Young Man…Begin True West 1-4 | |
| 2/6 | Before Class: Read to the end of Scene 4. Zoo Story Response Paper due if selected. Class: Discuss True West 1-4, Begin reading scenes 5-7 | |
| Week 5 | 2/9 | Before Class: Read to the end of Scene 7 of True West Class: Discuss scenes 5-7 of True West. |
| 2/11 | Before Class: Read scenes 8-9 of True West. Work on Response paper if Selected Class: Final Discussion of the Shepard & Activity for True West | |
| 2/13 | Before Class: Read Letts Playwright Bio on Blackboard Class: Begin watching August: Osage County to :46:00 | |
| Week 6 | 2/16 | Before Class: True West Response Paper due if selected Class: Continue August: Osage County to 1:23:00 |
| 2/18 | Before Class: Writing prompt/online discussion AOC Connections Class: Finish August: Osage County | |
| 2/20 | Before Class: Nothing to prepare Class: Final Discussion & Activity of August: Osage County | |
| Week 7 | 2/23 | Before Class: Read SLP Bio 1604-1606 Class: Begin Top Dog/Underdog or The America Play |
| 2/25 | Before Class: AOC Response Paper due if selected Class: Topdog/Underdog or The America Play groups | |
| 2/27 | NO CLASS: This time is given to encourage you to see dramatic literature come to life on our stage at The Importance of Being Earnest
| |
| Week 8 | 3/2 | Before Class: Continue Working on your SLP play Class: Topdog/Underdog or The America Play group work on presentations |
| 3/4 | Before Class: get with group to finalize presentations. Class: Topdog/Underdog and The America Play presentations | |
| 3/6 | Before Class: Prepare final thoughts for large group comparison and discussion Class: Final discussion of Topdog/Underdog and The America Play | |
| BREAK | 3/9-3/13 | SPRING BREAK |
| Week 9 | 3/16 | Before Class: Nothing to Prepare. Welcome Back! Class: Go over Dramaturgical Research Expectations. Show examples. |
| 3/18 | Before Class: Continue brainstorming on Thesis. Class: Work on Thesis & Research. Watson Library Day | |
| 3/20 | Before Class: Clarify thesis, find sources…maybe pre-work on outline Class: Present thesis in class. Outline & Works Cited expectations | |
| Week 10 | 3/23 | Before Class: Continue finding sources & working on Outline Class: 5 Sources due today & Continue to work on Outline |
| 3/25 | Before Class: Finalize Outline. Bring them to class. Class: Outline due today | |
| 3/27 | Before Class: Work from outline to create draft of research paper Class: Work day on Rough Drafts. | |
| Week 11 | 3/30 | Before Class: Create Rough Draft of Research Paper. Bring it to class. Class: Peer Editing & Instructor Feedback on Rough Draft |
| 4/1 | Before Class: Make changes after peer & instructor feedback. Class: Flexible, based on student needs. Time for additional feedback on draft ***Research Papers Due by Thursday 4/2 at 5:00 pm*** | |
| 4/3 | GOOD FRIDAY NO CLASS | |
| Week 12 | 4/6 | Before Class: Look over video & reading for Musicals on Blackboard Class: Begin viewing and discussing musical Rent |
| 4/8 | Before Class: Nothing to prepare Class: View and discuss musical Rent to end of Act 1 | |
| 4/10 | Before Class: Nothing to prepare Class: Begin Act 2 of Rent…to Halloween | |
| Week 13 | 4/13 | Before Class: Nothing to prepare Class: Final day to view and discuss musical Rent. |
| 4/15 | Before Class: Nothing to Prepare Class: Look at Libretto Format by reading the first part of Next to Normal Explanation & brainstorming of Musicals project. | |
| 4/17 | Before Class: Brainstorm topics for project NO CLASS: This time is given to encourage you to see dramatic live performance of This Thing Called Love. On Thursday or Friday at 7:30 pm | |
| Week 14 | 4/20 | Before Class: Select topic for musical & songs to re-lyric Class: Work on a simple rewrite of a song and apply to Musicals project |
| 4/22 | Before Class: Continue work on Musicals Project Class: Write summaries between songs for musical draft and add to presentation Instructor & Peer feedback on musical pre-writing | |
| 4/24 | Before Class: Final preparation for both writing and presentation. Class: Instructor & Peer feedback on musical pre-writing. | |
| Week 15 | 4/27 | Before Class: Prepare for musicals presentations and print off script Class: Presentations of Musicals Day 1 |
| 4/29 | Before Class: Prepare for musicals presentations and print off script Class: Presentations of Musicals Day 2 | |
| 5/1 | Before Class: Prepare for musicals presentations and print off script Class: Presentations of Musicals Day 3. Final Exam questions distributed. | |
| Week 16 | 5/6 | 10:15-12:15 FINAL EXAM: Essays written in class |
Course Assessments: TOTAL: 500 points possible
Assignments (50 points total): This category will cover, but is not limited to, participation in small group and large group discussions, in-class assignments, brief presentations, and informal writing.
Two Written Reader-Response Essays (50 each: 100 points total): These are to be 2-3 pages in length. Please use the format that will be explained during class. They should be typed and submitted through Blackboard.
Research Paper (150 points total): Each student is responsible for writing a 8–10-page research paper during the semester. Topics should relate in some way to the content of the course. Papers must be double spaced in 12 pt. Calibri font or a reasonable and legible equivalent. The term paper must include proper MLA in-text citations and a Works Cited page. The paper is due in both tangible form and submitted through Blackboard. During the writing process, there will be points assigned to the thesis (5), outline (15), works cited (10), and rough draft (20).
Creative Writing/Presentation (100 points total): Students will work to craft the basics of a musical. Students should take their understanding of the musical as an artform and write their own one-act musical. In the final days of the class, the plot, characters, and song titles from the musical will be presented to the class.
Final Exam Essay (50 points total): Each student will complete a final written exam. It will be a critical analysis and synthesis of multiple plays studied throughout the semester.
Attendance/Participation (50 points total): Attending class and participating in our activities and discussions is an expectation of the course. Attendance will be taken each day of class. Absences, tardiness, and lack of participation will impact this grade.
The grading scale will be as follows:
| Percentage | Letter Grade | Percentage | Letter Grade | |
| 94.5-100 | A | 77.5-80.4 | C+ | |
| 90.5-94.4 | A- | 74.5-77.4 | C | |
| 87.5-90.4 | B+ | 70.5-74.4 | C- | |
| 84.5-87.4 | B | 67.5-70.4 | D+ | |
| 80.5-84.4 | B- | 60.5-67.4 | D | |
| 0-60.4 | F | |||
Instructor Course Policies
Along with the WC approved excused absences, each student will be allowed 2 personal days. Any additional absences beyond these will negatively affect the attendance grade.
All work (essays, test answers, homework answers, etc) that you submit in this course must be originally produced by you and not by artificial intelligence. Failure to comply with this policy will result in penalties for academic dishonesty.
Institutional and Program-Level Policies
All exams will follow the Final Exam Schedule. Students scheduled to take three or more final examinations on one day may request to arrange their examination schedule, so no more than two exams occur on one day.
Requests for early or late exams are considered only under extreme circumstances. Prior to the exam period, the student must file a written request on the Early/Late Exam Form available in the Student One Stop Center, Academic Records, and on the WC portal. The form must be signed by the Instructor and the Academic Dean, approving the alternate exam time. This process must be completed prior to the scheduled exam period.
Undergraduate: SP26 Final Exam Schedule
Out-of-class Work Expectation A minimum of 2 hours of out-of-class student work is expected for each hour of in-class time for traditional face-to-face courses. For online and hybrid courses, the combination of face-to-face time and out-of-class work should be equal to 3 hours per credit hour per week. |
Instructional Course Delivery Definition of Courses |
Academic Integrity Policy The use of generative AI is prohibited except where expressly allowed in assignment instructions. Academic Integrity Policy |
Class Attendance Policy Institutional Class Attendance Policy |