INSTRUCTOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO AMEND THIS SYLLABUS AS NEEDED
THEA 1100I Theatre Appreciation
9:30am-10:45am
FINE ARTS 217
Tuesdays and Thursdays
Assoc. Professor Tony Pearson
Office: Room 108 Fine Arts
Phone Number: 678-359-5300
Email:
Faculty Webpage: http://www.gordonstate.edu/Faculty/apearson/
Office Hours:
MW9:00AM-10:00AM; TR 9:00AM-9:30AM AND 12:15PM-2:45PM
Required Performances: Gordon theatre performances are free for Gordon Students with a student ID and take place in the Fine Arts Auditorium.
Make arrangements NOW. If you cannot make the performances, DROP THE COURSE!!
The Diary of Anne Frank, February 10th-13th at 7:30PM; 14th at 2:00PM
Honky, April 6th-9th at 7:30PM; 10th at 2:00PM
Required Texts and Materials:
· Honky, by Greg Kalleres
Required Hardware/software and technical skills:
Students are required to have consistent use and have basic knowledge of using the following:
· DSL/Wireless (High Speed Internet) and Mozilla Firefox (Download it free here)
· Desire to Learn (Watch this Video to Learn How to Use Desire to Learn)
· Microsoft Word and Microsoft PowerPoint
· Turnitin.com (for paper submission)
o CLASS ID: 11388169, LOGIN: pearson
· www.digitaltheatreplus.com
o Login: Password: gordontheatre
Course Description and Format:
Theatre Appreciation is a study of the ideas and concepts that make theatre a necessary and relevant form of art in the 21st century. We will explore the roles of the different artists who work within the theatre. We will discuss what makes a memorable performance (for better or for worse). The class will be required to attend TWO Gordon performances.
This will be a flipped classroom. You will be required to watch the lectures online on D2L as homework and we will focus on hands on activities and discussion when we meet in person. If you are uncomfortable with using computers or the internet, you should speak with the instructor immediately.
Gordon Core Curriculum Requirement:
This course meets Area C requirements and the Global Perspectives overlay.
Course Objectives:
(1) To familiarize the student with the concepts and terminology needed to discuss a theatrical production intelligently.
(2) To enable the student to be able to write intelligently and critically about the live theatrical performances.
(3) Successful completion of several projects that explore different facets of theatre production.
(4) To enable the student to critically analyze a written play both structurally and thematically in both discussion and writing
(5)To give the student a historical context for theatre as well as introduce them to the practice of theatre as a global art.
Course Requirements:
15% Midterm Exam: There will be a midterm exam that tests your knowledge of the material covered since the beginning of the course. Format shall consist of multiple choice and/or short answer.
15% Final Exam: There will be a final exam that tests your knowledge of the material covered since midterm. Format shall consist of multiple choice and/or short answer.
15% Short play responses:
We will watch three plays on Digital Theatre plus this semester. You will need to respond in writing to two of them. Which ones you write on are up to you.
1. ACTING RESPONSE: Name at least one actor who delivered a strong performance in the play and
give at least three specific examples from the production where the actor made choices (especially in voice or body) that made their performance strong. The more detailed your examples the better. FOR EACH EXAMPLE, discuss how that choice affected the performance.
2. DESIGN RESPONSE: Pick one design area (Scenery, Lighting, or Costumes) and discuss it. Describe what you see in detail (Pay attention to choices the designer made in the elements of design in particular.) and answer these questions: What do you think the designer was trying to achieve? Where they successful? Why or why not? Does the design support the play? Why or why not?
3. HONKY SCRIPT RESPONSE: Write on one of the following: 1. Pick one theme in the script and discuss it in detail. Discuss at least three specific moments from the play that support your thesis. 2. Who is the protagonist and antagonist of the play? Defend your ideas using specific references to the play. 3. Take one character and explore them in detail as though you were acting this part. Who are they? What motivates them? Be sure to refer to specific moments in the play. 4. Choose your own approach to writing about the play (and get it approved).
10% Performance Analysis:
Each student will be required to attend both productions we stage this semester (The Diary of Anne Frank and Honky) and write an in-depth analysis on each. All performances analysis papers shall be submitted to TURNITIN.COM. The format for each analysis can be found on my faculty webpage and D2L:
http://faculty.gordonstate.edu/apearson/
15% Discussion board:
Each student will be required to submit a 100-200 word post to the discussion board on D2L and respond to two others about each online lecture unit. Discussion board due dates will be listed on the syllabus calendar, and will appear in each module online in D2L.
30% Projects: There will be four major projects assigned in playwriting, acting, design, and research. Here is what is required:
1. Playwriting:
· You may work individually or in a group of no more than 3 people.
· You will compose a short script (a minimum of 3-5 minutes) that has some sort of beginning, middle and end. Plays that are interesting and subtle will fare much better than plays that are shallow and feel like a skit. Each play will be read out loud.
· You will be evaluated on the following:
o 3-5 Minute Script: Read it out loud for length 65%
o Following proper format 5%
o Stageability 10%
o Strength of dialogue 10%
o Originality and Creativity 10%
2. Acting:
· You may work individually or in a group of no more than 3 people
· Students will memorize, block, and interp a short scene (3-5 minutes) or monologue (1 minute). You may find scenes or monologues from works read or written in class OR from the websites listed on my faculty webpage. No poetry, TV, or movie scenes allowed.
· Each student will perform in front of the rest of the class.
· You will be evaluated on the following:
o Memorization 60%
o Physical choices 15%
o Vocal Choices 15%
o Achievement of acting objective 10%
3. Project Runway Design Challenge:
In assigned teams, you will design and create a theatre costume. The costume must be designed and constructed according to the following guidelines:
· The costume must be influenced in line and shape by an historical period costume image (use this website to find your image http://www.siue.edu/COSTUMES/COSTUME1_INDEX.HTML
· The costume must be made of found objects and recycled materials (this includes items such as newspaper, plastic bottles, leaves, seeds, etc.). Glue, staples, tape, thread, etc. may also be used for construction. You may use an existing t-shirt and pants/skirt to create the base of the costume if you choose, though these clothing items should not be visible on the final design.
· The total budget for this project cannot exceed $10. A typed materials list and budget must be submitted at the start of class on 11/5. This list must include the Group letter and names of the group members. Failure to submit this list will result in a 20 point deduction.
· The completed costume must be modeled by a group member in the class runway show on11/5. Another group member must read a brief narration written by the group that explains the costume.
Remember - The costume must be complete before coming to the theatre on 11/5. Only minor adjustments will be allowed at the theatre.
This project will be evaluated as follows:
· Problem solving/creative use of recycled materials /15
· Influence of historical period image evident in design /15
· Adherence to project guidelines (including budget and materials list) /20
· Originality and quality of overall design and construction /20
· Peer evaluation score /20
· Peer evaluation and Production Voting forms completed, detailed, and on time /10
Evaluation System:
· A: 90-100. Excellent. You’ve blown me away with something brilliant and original. Above and beyond the call of duty. This is work that exceeds just doing the assignment. “Excellent” means “excelling good”.
· B: 80-89. Good. Good thinking and/or writing. You’ve done the required work at a competent level with very few (if any) mistakes.
· C: 70-79. Average. You’ve done the assignment. There are some things done well and some things done poorly. Amount of effort put into the project is not evident.
· D: 60-69. Poor. It looks like the work was phoned in at the last minute. There may be something redeeming about the project, but overall displays a minimum amount of effort.
· F: Below 60. Failing work can display one or more of the following traits: It does not follow the assignment. There is nothing or little done well in the work. It is clear that very little effort was put into the work. Cheating or plagiarism was involved (and it received a zero). The work was turned in late (And it received a zero).
CLASS POLICIES:
Attendance: Each student will have THREE absences allowed in the course. Beyond three, each subsequent absence will lower your final grade in the course by a letter grade. No excuses are needed, wanted or accepted for these initial three. Should a student encounter a legitimate hardship beyond the three (extended illness, injury, pregnancy, death of immediate family, for example), they are encouraged to IMMEDIATELY contact the instructor to determine if arrangements can be made.
Punctuality: Once class has begun, I reserve the right to mark you absent and/or not admit you to the classroom.
ATTENTDANCE/PUNCTUALITY ON EXAM DAYS: You must be on time during exam days. After the first student to hand in their exam leaves, there will be NO ADMITTANCE to the classroom unless you have contacted me beforehand. Students who are absent on an exam day without prior arrangement will receive a zero for their exam.
Late Work: I do not credit late work. Late work without an extension will ALWAYS earn a zero, regardless of excuse.
ALL COURSE WORK: must be submitted in order to pass the course (even late work that earned a zero)
Extra-Credit:is not available for this course.
Failing Grades: Any student who receives a failing grade during the course should arrange for a conference. I am always happy and willing to discuss your performance in the course or to explain a grade.
Electronics and Cell Phones Usage: Using your electronic devices without permission for ANY non class related activity may result in your being marked absent for the day and told to leave the classroom.
Students found texting or talking during a performance will receive a zero for their performance analysis.
Electronic Submission: Students must submit all papers to the TURNITIN.COM by CLASS TIME on the due date listed in this syllabus. ONE MINUTE LATE IS STILL LATE. Plan ahead.
This course will use turnitin.com plagiarism detection software.
Electronic Submission (Continued):
Here is the required Gordon State College legal disclaimer about Turnitin.com.
Many Gordon College courses use Turnitin.com. Recognized worldwide as the standard in plagiarism prevention, Turnitin.com instantly identifies papers containing unoriginal material and acts as a powerful deterrent to stop plagiarism before it starts. Students will receive an email at their Gordon College email address with information on registering for Turnitin.com prior to the beginning of the term. When you register for Turnitin.com, you agree that all required papers may be subject to submission of textual similarity review to Turnitin.com. All submitted papers will be included as source documents in the Turnitin.com reference database solely for the purpose of detecting plagiarism in other papers. Use of the Turnitin.com service is subject to the Terms and Conditions of Use posted on the Turnitin.com site. (http://www.turnitin.com/static/usage.html).
Doctor’s Appointments: You are responsible for ensuring that NON-EMERGENCY doctor’s appointments are not scheduled during your class time. NON-EMERGENCY doctor’s appointments are NEVER excused. IT will count as an absence. If someone else makes your appointments, make certain they know when you have class. If you have an emergency that requires medical care over the course of the semester, I will be glad to work with you.
FAMILY VACATION: Is never excused. If you want to leave early for an extra long break, you have to take the absence (and missed grades that go with it, if applicable).
Title IX
Gordon State College is committed to providing an environment free of all forms of discrimination and sexual harassment, including sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking. If you (or someone you know) has experienced or experiences any of these incidents, know that you are not alone. All faculty members at Gordon State College are mandated reporters. Any student reporting any type of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence or stalking must be made aware that any report made to a faculty member under the provisions of Title IX will be reported to the Title IX Coordinator or a Title IX Deputy Coordinator. If you wish to speak with someone confidentially, you must contact the Counseling and Accessibility Services office, Room 212, Student Life Center. The licensed counselors in the Counseling Office are able to provide confidential support.
Gordon State College does not discriminate against any student on the basis of pregnancy, parenting or related conditions. Students seeking accommodations on the basis of pregnancy, parenting or related conditions should contact Counseling and Accessibility Services regarding the process of documenting pregnancy related issues and being approved for accommodations, including pregnancy related absences as defined under Title IX.
ADA and 504
If you have a documented disability as described by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504, you may be eligible to receive accommodations to assist in programmatic and/or physical accessibility. The Counseling and Accessibility Services office located in the Student Center, Room 212 can assist you in formulating a reasonable accommodation plan and in providing support in developing appropriate accommodations to ensure equal access to all GSC programs and facilities. Course requirements will not be waived, but accommodations may assist you in meeting the requirements. For documentation requirements and for additional information, contact Counseling and Accessibility Services at 678-359-5585.