COMM 2060– PERFORMANCE OF LITERATURE
Spring 2015
Instructor: Dr. Holley Vaughn
Office: GAB 320F
Office hours: MW 10-2 by appointment, Tuesday by appointment only
E-mail:
Lecture Meets in Cury 104
Recitation sections:
201- Alicia Garavaglia’s section meets in GAB 321
202- Bryan Lysinger’ssection meets in LANG217
203-Sarah Friday’s section meets in LANG 218
204- Kyle Hammond’ssection meets in GAB 406
Required Text:
Pelias, Ronald and Tracy Stevenson Shaffer. Performance Studies: The Interpretation of Aesthetic Texts 2nd ed. Kendall Hunt Publishing Company, 2007.
Masters, Edgar Lee. Spoon River Anthology: An Annotated Edition. Urbana and Chicago: U of Illinois Press, 1992.
Walker, Alice. In Love and Trouble: Stories of Black Women. New York: Harcourt Inc., 2001
Online readings posted on Blackboard.
Course Goals:COMM 2060 is an introductory level Communication Studies course designed to familiarize students with the discipline of Performance Studies as well as the study of literature through performance. The primary goal of this course is to facilitate critical thinking about performance and, reciprocally, to use the doing of performance itself as a method of critical inquiry. The discipline of Performance Studies broadly employs the notion of performance as both a method and a metaphor for understanding human behavior. You do not need any formal acting training, “talent”, or theatre experience to be successful in this class. To the contrary, this course is predicated on the assumption that we are all already performers. It is my sincere belief that learning to critically interpret and perform literary texts teaches us a great deal about our own lives and the lives of others. This course will help you become familiar with and proficient in the study of literature through the medium of performance.Through the semester, we hope to:
-ignite, engage, and embody imaginative and intellectual responses to imaginary worlds, literary texts and language
-stimulate an awareness of the dramatistic potential of all literature
-deepen appreciation of self and other as they interact engage human experience
-activate a flexible, effective, and expressive voice in the performance of literature
-release a responsive and expressive body in the performance of literature
-sharpen basic communication skills
Disclaimer:This syllabus should not be construed as a binding contract between the instructor and the students. The instructor reserves the right to change any aspect of the course without notice.
Grading Summary- Your grade is based on a 1000 point scale.
UNIT 1 (Worth 200 points or 20%)
Poetry Performance 10% 100 pts.
Poetry Workshop 2.5% 25 pts.
Poetry Memorization link1.0% 10 pts.
Poetry Analysis 3.5% 35 pts.
Poetry Grid1.0% 10 pts.
Poetry Peer Critiques 2.0% 20 pts.
UNIT 2 (Worth 230 points or 23%)
Prose Performance 13% 130 pts.
Prose Workshop 2.5% 25 pts.
Prose Memorization Link1.0 % 10 pts.
Prose Analysis 4.5% 45 pts.
Prose Peer Critiques 2.0 % 20 pts.
UNIT 3 (Worth 170 points or 17%)
Compiled Script Performance10% 100 pts.
Compiled Workshop3.5 % 35pts.
Group Presentation3.5% 35pts.
EXAMS AND PARTICIPATION (worth 400 points or 40%)
Midterm Exam15% 150pts.
Final Exam15% 150pts.
Reading Quizzes and daily assignments 10%100pts.
MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS
Performances: There will be three major performances throughout the semester: a performance of poetry, a performance of prose, and a complied script performance. You must deliver all three assigned performances in order to receive a passing grade in the course. In fairness to all members of the class, performances will be done on the assigned day. The only exception will be in the case of emergencies and the student must be able to provide documentation of such events. Performance assignments count for 33% of your total grade in this course. Therefore, you must spend adequate time preparing and rehearsing outside of class. Performances MUST be memorized. Each performance assignment will be fully explained in class and through additional handouts on Blackboard.
Workshops: Workshops are a major aspect of this course, and your robust participation in each workshop is vital to completing a successful final performance. It is essential that you are totally memorized well before you are scheduled to workshop your performance. You are required to record yourself reciting your memorized performance piece and post the video (via a youtube link or another comparable video link) to a discussion board on blackboard a week before all workshops are scheduled to begin. You must upload a link to your poetry video by February 16th and your prose video by March 23rd. For more information on how to upload videos to youtube please check out the following links:
On the day that you are assigned to workshop, you must be memorized AND make at least three choices regarding staging. Come to each workshop with an open mind, a willingness to play with your own ideas, and to experiment with your classmates’ suggestions. You are expected to complete all three workshops for all three performances. If you are not prepared to workshop on your assigned day, you may choose to opt out of your workshop. However, this choice comes with a consequence. If you choose to opt out of a workshop, then you forfeit your opportunity to earn any extra credit for the course. Additionally, if you make a failing grade on your workshop because you are not memorized or prepared then you also forfeit your opportunity to earn extra credit for the course.
Analysis Assignments: There will be major analysis assignments, papers or presentations due before each performance workshop. Think of each analysis assignments as your ticket to workshop. I expect your written work to be thoughtfully composed and edited for both style and content. Each analysis assignment will be fully explained in class and through additional handouts on Blackboard.
Exams: You must demonstrate mastery of the lecture & reading material through examination. There will be two exams- a midterm and a final. Exams will include multiple choice questions, short-answer, matching, and essay questions. I design the tests toward an application of concepts as opposed to mere regurgitation of definitions. In other words, I test you on your ability to see a concept at work as opposed to just coughing up rote memorization.
Extra Credit:You may earn up to 35 total extra credit points throughout the course of the semester. If you have more than 3 absences you are not eligible for any extra credit. If you choose to drop a workshop or fail a workshop then you may not earn any extra credit. No final average will be rounded up unless the student has completed all possible extra credit.If you have a satisfactory attendance record, you can earn up to 35 points of extra credit. This can be achieved in multiple ways.
1)Perfect attendance- If you have perfect attendance, you will automatically receive all 35 extra credit points.
2)Outside Performance- For your own benefit, in terms of the performance tools you will be exposed to and tested on, you are strongly encouraged to attend performance events outside of class. You can earn up to 10 points of extra credit for every two-page critical response written on outside performances this semester (not to exceed 35 points). I will post announcements for upcoming performances on blackboard.
3)Additional Analysis: I will provide additional analysis assignments you may complete for each large unit of the course (Poetry, Prose, and Compiled Script). Each additional analysis is worth up to 5 points.
4)Outline the Chapter: You may turn in a handwritten outline of the chapters in the Pelias and Shaffer textbook before the reading quiz for that chapter. Each outline is worth up to 5 points.
Grading Criteria
Grading criteria for performances, and major assignments:
Grading scale:
A: (excellent, clearly outstanding) (90-100%)
B: (very good, impressive) (80-89%)
C: (average college-level) (70-79%)
D: (below average, barely passing) (60-79%)
F: (failing) (60% and below)
In order to ensure fairness and avoid grade inflation, I utilize the following guidelines for performances and major assignments:
In general, a C grade on a paper or performance means one has met the minimum requirements for that assignment. A grade of A or B means one has gone beyond the minimum requirements in a significant way. A grade of D or F means one has failed to meet two or more of the requirements (minimum criteria) for the assignment.
***Remember:
1) Your enrollment in this course does not entitle you to an A.
2) Completing the minimum criteria represents average, satisfactory, C levelwork.
Completing the minimum criteriadoes not mean you are entitled an A.
3) You are in no way entitled to an A.
4) A’s are reserved for exceptional work. I reserve A’s for those papers and
performances I/ your TA would rather watch/read than eat chocolate or drink beer.
Grading Criteria for Reading Quizzes and Reading Response papers a.k.a the BS policy: I do not assign readings erroneously. Every time I assign reading, you should expect a reading quiz. It is obvious when you have not read. I have far more respect for students who admit to not reading than for those who attempt to B.S. their way through a quiz.
Course Policies
Tweet: I have set up a class Twitter pageI would like you to follow throughout the semester.
Attendance Policy:Learning is a social process. In order for this class to be successful, both your attendance and participation are imperative. This class is constructed in a way that is similar to a seminar in that both students and instructors perform the roles of teachers and learners simultaneously. In other words, we are constantly learning from each other. This is only possible if everyone shows up, prepares in advance, and fully participates in class. I expect you to give thoughtful attention to the assigned readings, assume a constructive role in class discussions, ask questions, thoughtfully attend to the ideas of others, and share your own insights. Your success in this course is contingent on successful performances, tests, workshops, papers AS WELL AS your participation as an audience member for your classmates’ performances.Make no mistake- I expect you to attend class.I interpret excessive absences as willful and wanton disrespect towards our class community. If you choose not to attend class then your grade will beaffected.
You are allowed three absences (think of them as sick leave) during the semester before your final grade is docked for non-attendance.After you have used your threeabsences, you will receive ½ letter grade deduction from your final grade for each absence over the allotted three. For instance, if you end the semester with 4 unexcused absences and you have a final grade of an 83, your grade would be reduced to a 77. Your recitation leader will take attendance every day- including large lecture days.
The only excused absences are for University Excused Absences related to official University business (i.e., traveling with a UNT team to compete). You must turn in the requisite paperwork for University Excused Absences before you miss class for the university event.
Absences related to illness or car trouble are NOT excused absences. If you miss a day due to illness, car trouble, personal travel, etc. then that counts as 1 of your 3 absences. You must email you TA prior to missing class and apprise him or her of the situation. Typically,proof of the incident – doctor’s note, a police report, dated AAA receipt– will be required to make up any work you missed.
Additionally, if you have more than 3 absences you are NOT eligible to participate in any extra credit opportunities.
Performance Policy: I expect you to be present and prepared to perform on days designated in the schedule.If you cannot perform on the day assigned due to a University Authorized Absence (i.e., an absence that has been authorized by the Dean of Students) then you will be afforded an opportunity reschedule the presentation. Your TA will accommodate you at his or her earliest convenience. You will be permitted only one opportunity for a make up.If you have an unauthorized absence on a day when you are scheduled for a presentation, a workshop, or a performance, you will receive a grade of zero for the assignment
Late Work Policy: You are responsible for turning work in on time. Late work is not accepted.
Tardiness Policy:Please strive to be in class on time. If you arrive late, it is your responsibility to make sure Your TA marks you as present. If you are more than twenty-five minutes late to class, you will receive an absence for that day. If you are late on a day that your classmates are performing, you MUST wait by the door until you hear applause. If you walk into class while some else is performing, your performance will be marked down one letter grade.
Phone Policy:Turn off your cell phone prior to class. Do not text during class- it’s rude. Moreover, a cell phone ringing or vibrating during someone’s performance is a major distraction for both the performer and the audience. Such interruptions are, at best, disrespectful of others and, at worst, undermine your classmate’s performance. You are responsible for turning off your phone every time you come to lecture and recitation. If your phone rings during a classmate’s performance your performance will be marked down one letter grade.If you would like to record any lecture or recitation content, you must receive permission from the instructor.
Laptop and Tablet Policy: You may use your laptop or tablet for class purposes (i.e. taking notes, looking up information at instructors request etc.). You may not use your laptop or tablet for any other purpose (i.e. checking email, facebook, reading the news, checking up on your fantasy league, blogging, watching ESPN/Netflix/ Hulu/ YouTube, gaming, online dating, tweeting, pintrest-ing, tumbler-ing, reddit-ing, instagram-ing, ETC AD NASUEM). Unless you have an ODA exception, there is NO reason for you to utilize your ear buds or headphones during class. If you choose to use your laptop/tablet/cell phone for anything other than class purposes you will lose all technology privileges for the rest of the semester.
Grade Inquiry Policy:“Grade grubbing” is not acceptable. If you have questions about your grade on any given assignment, you may contact your TA 24 hours after the grade has been posted to schedule a meeting time. Any discussion of a grade must be conducted in person and not via email.
Format for Papers and Typed Assignments:All papers and short writing assignments must be typed unless otherwise noted. You must use 12 point Times New Roman font, double-spaced, and 1 inch margins. We refuse to grade and papers that do not meet this criterion. All papers and short writing assignments must be edited. You must revise your written work. Do not turn in your first draft. Good writing takes time. Do not put off your writing assignments until the last minute. Again, papers that do not meet this criterion will not be graded. Please refer to the writing criteria folder on blackboard. Additionally, I strongly encourage you to take advantage of the truly amazing resources offered to you by the UNT writing lab. Please visit their website at
Policy on Incompletes: An “Incomplete” will be award only in cases where 75% of the coursework has been completed AND the grade is warranted by an excuse (e.g., medical, military). Inability to complete coursework in a timely fashion does not constitute an acceptable reason for requesting or receiving an incomplete. To request an incomplete please set up a meeting with me prior to the final exam.
Academic Conduct: This is a communication course, which means you are required to communicate. I expect you show up prepared and participate in class discussions. I do not shy away from controversial topics in class and neither should you. Remember, the primary goal of this course is to facilitate critical thinking about performance and through performance; therefore, I expect and encourage rigorous debate. Feel free to make robust arguments but you must respect your classmates. Ideas can be debated but people may not be defamed. However, overtly ethnocentric, racist, sexist, and homophobic comments will not be tolerated. At all. Ever. If you choose to engage in hateful or violent discourse, you will be asked to leave my class immediately and I will follow the proper procedures for reprimand according to the Student Code of Conduct.
Plagiarism and Cheating:One fundamental goal of achieving a university degree is betterment of self; upon obtaining your degree, you should be a more skilled writer and a more analytical thinker. To accomplish this goal and realize your true potential, all work should be uniquely your own in both word and thought. You should document all words and ideas belonging to others according to APA or MLA guidelines. Otherwise, you will not only fail yourself, but the course as well. All students must adhere to the Code of Student Conduct regarding academic dishonesty, including acts of cheating and plagiarism. Please check out the following website for definitions of plagiarism, cheating, and FAQ’s regarding plagiarism.
Depending on the severity of the infraction, punishments for cheating or plagiarism range from a grade of ZERO points on the assignment in question, to failure of the course or expulsion.