INTRODUCTION TO DRAMA
Th 6:00PM—9:15PM Instructor: Douglas Soderberg Office Hours: Th 4:30PM—6:00PM, & per request (Main) Campus Mailbox: ABAC, Rm. #3200 E-mail: dsoderberg@maryville.edu
HUM 297/497 1C Fall ‘09 St. Charles Campus
Course Syllabus
Course Description: This course will examine the themes, structures and styles of selected masterworks of western drama from the ancient Greek era to the present, including plays by Sophocles, Euripides, Shakespeare, Molière, Behn, Wilde, Ibsen, Chekhov, Brecht, Williams, Beckett, and, Caryl Churchill. Class participation, two papers and two exams are required, with possible attendance at live productions when available. Course Objective: Through a combination of readings, lectures, discussion and viewed performances, the student will gain an understanding of the continuum of theatrical movements. This survey of major dramatists will also enable the student to read critically (and for enjoyment) the written playscript, although added emphasis will be on how each play translates to the stage. Above all, the course will instill in the student a knowledge that these plays intensely matter to today’s audiences. Texts: The Harcourt Anthology of Drama, Brief Ed., W. B. Worthen, Thomson Learning
Supplemental material will be handed out as it becomes available, and I will make sure to alert you to applicable online resources.
Tests and Quizzes: Mid-semester and final exams will cover material from the texts, as well as classroom discussions, films and lectures. Two pop quizzes will be given to test your reading. Written Work: Two 4 – 6 page written papers. If you wish, one of these papers may be a detailed review of a live theatrical performance. Because your review will focus primarily on the script, theme and historical context of the play, additional research will undoubtedly be necessary. All other papers will be traditional topic papers, the subject and format of which will be chosen by the student. In either case, I must approve the subject matter one week ahead of time
Course Calendar (Note: Schedule is subject to change)
Th Oct 22 Introduction: Dead Playwrights Film: The Importance of Being Earnest Discussion: . . .Earnest Lecture: The Ancient Greek Theatre Discussion: Oedipus the Kind Discussion: Medea Lecture: The Elizabethan Theatre Discussion: Hamlet Discussion: The Tempest Lecture: Comedy of Manners Discussion: Tartuffe Lecture: Realism Discussion: A Doll’s House Test: Mid-Term Exam
NO CLASS—Thanksgiving Holiday
READ: Oedipus the King READ: Medea
Th
Oct 29
READ: Hamlet READ: The Tempest
Th
Nov 5
READ: Tartuffe READ: The Rover
Th
Nov 12
READ: A Doll’s House
Th
Nov 19
DUE: Paper #1
Th
Nov 26
READ: The Cherry Orchard READ: Mother Courage & Her Children READ: The Glass Menagerie
Th
Dec 3
Discussion: The Cherry Orchard Lecture: Brecht’s Epic Theatre Discussion: Mother Courage. . . Discussion: The Glass Menagerie Lecture: Theatre of the Absurd Discussion: Endgame Discussion: Cloud Nine Test: Final Exam
READ: Endgame READ: Cloud Nine
Th
Dec 10
DUE: Paper #2
Grading Scale:
100 – 98 97 – 95 94 – 92 91 – 88 87 – 84 83 – 80 79 – 76 75 – 72 71 – 68 67 – 64 63 – 60 59 – 56 55 –
A+ A AB+ B BC+ C CD+ D DF
Grading Criteria: Class assignments will be evaluated by me and assigned a letter grade. The letter grades used and their corresponding values are listed in the Maryville catalogue. [NOTE: My grade values may differ slightly from those of the university.] The highest grade “A,” for example, is assigned to work of exceptional quality which: Shows understanding of the reading, the themes, the context and the background; Shows a drawing of relationships between authors, works, genres and movements; Uses effective and appropriate writing technique, where applicable; Shows insight, inventiveness, creativity and passion. Accordingly, “B” work shows some exceptional quality but not in all the areas listed; “C” work is average and may have some exceptional qualities as well as deficiencies; “D” work is of insufficient quality in some of the areas listed and has little redeeming quality in others; and “F” work is insufficient in most areas and has no sufficient redeeming qualities. Grade Breakdown: Attendance / class participation Quizzes Tests Papers / Written work 25% 5% 40% 30%
Expectations
Communication: There are two ways to reach me. First (and preferred) is through Maryville Electronic Mail. You will find my email address at the top of this syllabus. If you have an email address other Maryville’s through which you’d like to receive class communication, please let me know. Second, I have a Main Campus mailbox in the College of Arts & Sciences administrative office located in the Anheuser-Busch Academic Center, Room 3200. Attendance: This class relies heavily on group discussion and, therefore, attendance is essential. Students are allowed one (1) excused absences. An absence will be “excused” if I am given warning before or notification immediately after the missed class. BE AWARE: Subsequent absences—excused or not—will adversely affect your grade. Students who miss four (4) or more classes will automatically receive a course grade of “F.” Tardiness: Please be on time for class and plan to stay for the entire period. This is not only a courtesy to me and your classmates, but will also help you score higher on your exams. Late Work: All work is due on time! Any work handed in after the due date will result in a reduced grade for that assignment. Extensions may be given when requested at least one week before the due date. Your work must be double-spaced. Staple your work when submitting a hard copy. I will accept either a hard copy or an e-copy. Class conduct: The Golden Rule applies. Please be the sort of audience for me and your classmates as you would expect for yourself. Switch cell phones to silent or off; text-messaging during class is NOT allowed. Get plenty of rest before you get to class. Keep talk between yourselves to the barest minimum. Thank you in advance.
Academic Honesty: I support and uphold Maryville University’s zero tolerance policy toward plagiarism. Instances of plagiarism will be reported to the Dean and result in a course grade of “F,” as well as university sanctions up to and including possible expulsion. Please refer to Maryville’s Student Code of Conduct (pages 33—48 in your current Student Handbook or at http://intranet.maryville.edu/PolicyManual/) for further information on this and other topics.
Access, Disability: If you have special needs or if there is anything I can do to help you succeed in this course, please schedule a meeting so that we can discuss it. Prior to our meeting, be sure you have met with someone in the Academic Success Center.
THIS SYLLABUS MAY BE ALTERED BY THE INSTRUCTOR TO MEET STUDENT OR INSTRUCTIONAL NEEDS.
Syllabus/Contract Agreement – HUM 297.1C Introduction to Drama Fall ‘09
I [please print], _________________________, have read this syllabus completely and will abide by the rules outlined herein for participation, evaluation, and conduct. I further agree to treat this document as an agreement not to be disputed between the professor teaching this course, Douglas Soderberg, and myself.
Signature: __________________________
Date: ________________