TH 2423 INTRODUCTION TO THEATER
FALL 2006 MWF
Instructor: Dr.
Larry Brown, office in the University theater (across
from high rise), ext. 5715
Email: brownla (or from off-campus
“larry.brown@lipscomb.edu”)
Text: See my website larryavisbrown.homestead.com
for reading materials
Course Overview: to familiarize students with basic terms and concepts
central to an understanding of theater as an art form, and to introduce them to
significant plays in performance. We will watch plays on video on Mondays, with
an extended period until no later than
Course Objectives: upon completing this course, students should be able
to …
·
define the
various types of theater: tragedy, comedy, melodrama
·
identify authors,
characters, settings, and plot events in the plays we have watched
·
identify
qualities of good musical theater
Grades will be based on the following:
Grading scale: 100-92 = A 91-82 = B 81-72 = C 71-62
= D
Midterm exam over reading material found on my
website – larryavisbrown.homestead.com (Oct 11)
Final exam over all plays watched in class
Essay questions over plays watched in class:
·
I will give you a
discussion question for some of our plays; a 2-3 pg. response (typed) will be
due the next class period.
·
We will have five essays, each worth
25 points.
·
I will be looking
for the following criteria: Two pages minimum, turned in on time, generally
free of spelling and grammatical errors, focus on the question (don't ramble).
·
For the best
grade, be well organized, have a clear thesis statement, use specific examples
and quotes from the play, refer to outside critical sources (cited in a brief
bibliography) that help you explain your thoughts more clearly.
Report on play attended:
·
During the
semester you should go to a live theater performance, preferably the fall
production on campus (which is free) but it can also be at another university,
community theater, or downtown at TPAC (no high school plays). You must
report on a play you see this semester, not in the past.
·
The following
week after seeing the play you should turn in a program and a written critique.
Worth 75 points each, added into your essay grades.
·
In 2-3 typed
pages discuss (1) the play’s major themes (What does the playwright want you to
think about? Even in a comedy or musical, there are ideas), (2) characters
(What do the main characters want most, what are their goals, how do they go
about attaining them?), and (3) production aspects (What did the set, costumes, lighting, and sound contribute in a creative
way to this play? How did they reinforce the themes and characters?).
· Do not spend time summarizing the play, but discuss the play’s ideas. I would rather see thoughtful analysis than your opinion of whether or not you liked the play and/or the performance; that is, don’t treat this like a review for a newspaper.
General policies: Class participation is encouraged and regular attendance is expected, especially on video days. Unexcused absences ("skips") will subtract two points each from your final average. If you miss a video, you must read the play (on reserve in the library) to complete the essay by the next class period, and to prepare for the final exam. Leaving early on video days will count as an absence. As in all classes, the honor code should be upheld. For office hours, please see me after class for an appointment, or use e-mail.
Academic
Integrity:
In keeping with our identity as a
Students Requiring
Accommodations:
If
you require classroom accommodations for a documented disability, please
discuss your circumstances with the teacher. If you have not registered with
the
Dropping the Course:
You
must get a drop/add form from the registrar and I must sign it for you to
officially drop a course. If you do not officially drop the course by Oct 27,
you will receive a grade based on whatever work you have completed.