© Timothy R. Wilson 2009 Revised 1.11.11
University of North Texas Department of Dance and Theatre
THEA 4390.001 Spring 2011 Theatre and Social Change Dr. Timothy Wilson Wednesday 3:00 – 5:50 WH 117 940.565.4021 Office Hours: Tuesday1:00 – 3:00 RTFP 231 And by Appointment
This course meets the Historical / Critical Perspective requirements for Theatre Majors.
Overview
This course has been developed to provide opportunities for students to explore the potential relationship between Theatre and Contemporary Issues from Social, Political and Personal Perspectives. The premise draws from the notion that theatre/film/performance/arts are effective tools of communication – and beyond the aesthetic or entertainment value – may reflect and influence changes within society.
Objectives
Through readings, live performances, films/videos, personal experiences, historical and cultural concerns, students will form and discuss personal points of view regarding contemporary issues and theatrical performances. As a part of this process students will develop the ability to effectively communicate about theatre and contemporary issues in written and verbal forms.
As active participants in this learning process, students will assume a responsibility for identifying and investigating opportunities to broaden and deepen a personal understanding and commitment to issues of social change inherent in popular culture.
Attendance / Participation
The structure of this course is focused on experiences, investigation and interaction. It is imperative that students accept the responsibility for attending each class and assigned performance as evidence of a commitment to the art form, their peers and themselves. In that the class only meets once a week, and that attending scheduled performances/events is integral to successful completion of the course objectives, students should consider attendance and participation as essential to passing the course. Students should be prepared to present documentation for missing a class, and whenever possible communicate with the instructor and peers if an absence is expected.
Absences beyond one excused absence will result in a lowered grade. Three or more absences will be considered sufficient reason for failure in this course.
Late arrivals and early exits are considered as absences and will result in a lowered grade.
The experiential nature of this course requires focused, committed, active and positive involvement. Students should be prepared for each assignment and participate actively in all aspects of the class. Through positive and focused participation, each student demonstrates a commitment to the art form, their peers and themselves.
Personal Considerations
In the study of theatre, film, performance, arts as well as social, cultural and political issues, it is possible to cover a wide spectrum of human behavior, practices, language and subject matter that may be considered immoral, anti-social or obscene to some. Some performances, readings and discussions may contain adult themes, language or images which are not within your personal standards or value system. The instructor nor the university plays the role of “censor.” Please consider this matter carefully. If you are easily offended or are not willing to experience standards and values different from your own, this may not be the class for you.
Requirements / Assignments
50% Performances / Readings
Each student will be required to develop a weekly paper in response to each assigned performance / event / reading. The format / content of these papers will be discussed in class relative to each specific assignment.
Note: In addition to content, clarity, spelling, grammar, neatness and promptness are important on all assignments. Written assignments must be typed and received in hard copy. No assignments will be accepted by email. You should always keep a back-up copy of all work submitted.
20% Discussions / Additional Assignments
Discussions are an essential part of each class experience. Students are expected to participate in all discussions and become aware of respect for and understanding of opinions that are different from their own.
Periodic assignment of additional tasks will be made to enhance the understanding of topics being discussed and investigated.
20% Projects
Each student will identify, propose, develop and present an individual / group project [activity, research, paper] which demonstrates a personal investment and point of view regarding an identified aspect of Theatre and Social Change.
10% Final Paper
Each student will develop a written reflection statement addressing personal change / growth through participation in Theatre and Social Change.
Text
The Drama Review Journal: Documentary Theatre [Fall 2006]
Carol Martin, Editor
Volume 50 Number 3 (T191)
MIT Press, Cambridge, MA
ISBN 0-262-75823-7
[Available On-Line through UNT Willis Library Journal Collections]
Play Scripts, Books, Additional Readings and Performances provided on an separate bibliography
This syllabus is subject to change in response to student or program needs.
Behavioral Expectations
Eating, chewing gum / tobacco [or other objects] is not appropriate in an academic classroom. Arrange for lunch before or after class.
Activities such as reading newspapers, reading books or articles for other classes, studying for other classes, writing letters, balancing your checkbook, planning your next social event or any other activity which is not pertinent to this course are considered inappropriate, and will be viewed as non-participation. No electronic texting / cell phone use. Lap top computers are only appropriate for note taking or relevant research pertinent to the current class. These diversions will result in a lowered grade or dismissal from the class.
Student participation is expected to contribute to a positive learning environment, and respect for others is essential. Through positive and focused participation, each student demonstrates a commitment to the art form, the profession, their peers and themselves.
Responsibilities for Time Management
Dance and Theatre students are expected to budget and organize their time and efforts in order to meet both their academic and production commitments satisfactorily and on time. The faculty and staff recognize that the academic and production assignments within the Department, as well as outside employment and other obligations, sometimes impose conflicting pressures on Dance and Theatre students. One of the principal responsibilities of each student is to carefully identify and monitor the commitments that comprise his/her departmental assignments and outside obligations. It is important to keep in mind that production work and outside obligations do not constitute an excused absence from Dance or Theatre classes or from the completion of any required class assignments.
Americans with Disabilities Act Notice
The University of North Texas does not discriminate on the basis of disability. The student has the responsibility of informing the instructor of any disabling conditions which will require course modifications.
Assessment / Grading
*** All assignments are expected at the announced due date / time. Assignments should be submitted in the format requested. Grades will be reduced for late submissions .***According to the policy established by the Department, students are expected to earn a grade of B or better in all coursework within the major.
Student Behavior in the Classroom
Student behavior that interferes with an instructor’s ability to conduct a class or other students' opportunity to learn is unacceptable and disruptive and will not be tolerated in any instructional forum at UNT. Students engaging in unacceptable behavior will be directed to leave the classroom and the instructor may refer the student to the Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities to consider whether the student's conduct violated the Code of Student Conduct. The university's expectations for student conduct apply to all instructional forums, including university and electronic classroom, labs, discussion groups, field trips, etc. The Code of Student Conduct can be found at www.unt.edu/csrr
THEA 4390.001 THEATRE AND SOCIAL CHANGE Spring 2011
Required Readings / Performances [Preliminary Listing: Additional Readings/Performances will be announced in class.]
***The Drama Review Journal: Documentary Theatre [Fall 2006]+ Required Volume 50 Number 3 (T191)
***The Drama Review Journal: War and Other Bad Shit [Spring 2008]+ Required Volume 52 Number 1 (T197)
[+Available On-Line through UNT Willis Library Journal Collections]
***Weekly News Source [Websites; Newspapers: NY Times; DFW Papers; News Magazines; etc]
Note: In addition to required readings [journals, plays, books, etc…] students will be assigned journal and news articles, new plays, films and performances relative to topics studied.
Actual Innocence (2003) Required ISBN 978.0.451.20982.5 Scheck, Neufield, Dwyer Penguin Book Company
The Innocent Man (2006) Recommended ISBN-13 978.0.385.51723-2 John Grishom Doubleday
Fish (2006) Recommended A Memoir of a Boy in a Man’s Prison ISBN-13 978.78671.793.4 T.J. Parsell Caroll & Graf Publishers
Chasing Justice (2007) Recommended ISBN 978.0.06.057465.9 Kerry Max Cole Williams Morrow / Harper Collins
Surviving Justice (2005) Required ISBN 1.932416.23.4 Lola Vollen & Dave Eggers MsSweeny’s Books, San Francisco
The Exonerated (2004) [PLAY] Required ISBN 0.571.21183.6 Jessica Blank & Erik Jensen Farber & Farber Inc.
Dead Man Walking (2003) [PLAY] Required Tim Robbins
Stuff Happens (2004) [PLAY] Required ISBN-13 978.0.571.22606.1 David Hare Farber & Farber
The Vertical Hour (2006) [PLAY] Required ISBN – 13 978.0/86547.965.4 David Hare Farber & Farber
The Laramie Project (2001) [PLAY] Required ISBN 0-375-72719.1 Moises Kaufman Vintage Books
The Twilight of the Golds (1994) [PLAY] Required ISBN 0-573-69463-X Jonathan Tolins Samuel French
The Meaning of Matthew (2009) Recommended ISBN 978-1-59463-057-6 Judy Shepard Hudson Street Press
Prayers for Bobby (1995) Recommended Leroy Aarons Harper Collins
O Solo Homo (1998) Required ISBN 0-8021.3570.6 Holly Hughes & David Roman Grove Press Books
Culture Clash in America (2003) Required ISBN 1-55936-216-2 Theatre Communications Group
Kindertransport (1995) Required ISBN 13.978.1.85459.227.9 Diane Samuels Nick Hern Books