THEA 1340: Aesthetics of Theatre Throughout the World

THEA 1340: Aesthetics of Theatre Throughout the World

University of North Texas, Fall 2014

RTVF 135

INSTRUCTOR: Robert Bowen

OFFICE: RTFP 222

E-MAIL:

OFFICE HOURS: Wednesday 3:00-4:00 pm, Thursdays 12:30-1:30 pm and by appointment

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS

Wilson, E. & Goldfarb, A. THEATER: THE LIVELY ART, 8th Edition (can be eBook)

Brockett, O. & Ball, R. PLAYS FOR THE THEATRE, 11th Edition

Course Description

Theatre 1340 is a survey course that is designed to acquaint you with the theory and practice of theatre art throughout the world; appreciation of drama in both western and nonwestern cultures; principles of dramatic criticism; cultural and social significance of the theatre and its drama.

Course Objectives

This course will promote awareness of the scope and variety of works in the theatrical arts, critical analysis and formation of aesthetic judgments, and appreciation of the arts as fundamental to the health and survival of any society.

An overview of the major aspects of theatre history, genres, play production, the audience and its relationship to theatre, and specific study of scripts and productions, including attendance and thoughtful analysis or criticism of the live works and assigned videos, will help develop a deeper understanding of theatre in its many forms.

Upon completion of this course a student should be able to

1. identify several works by contemporary and classic playwrights, performers, directors, composers, nations, and movements,
2. develop, improve, and apply critical analytical skills to live and recorded performances,
3. be an informed theater-goer, discussing what genres or artists or works appeal to their (his/her) personal sense of aesthetics, and convey respect to differing individuals,
4. connect with, consider and discuss, the cultural allusions our society has taken from Oedipus, Hamlet and other works
5. speak, and/or write in an educated manner on the appreciation of the arts,
6. utilize skills, observed in theatre, in their own personal expression and communication

Warning

Some of the plays we will be studying may have strong messages, adult language, and explore controversial issues. Some may include softer themes, including children’s theater offerings. If you are opposed to investigating, discussing, and researching artworks that deal with the grittier side, or the formational side, of the human experience, you are seriously encouraged to consider choosing another course.

Attendance

You are expected to attend each class for the entire time period. It is not just a matter of what you “get” from the class, but also what you “give.” Active participation (in life!) is important and you need to be “present” to participate. You may miss one (1) class, for any reason, before any deduction in grade. Each absence (unexcused) after the initial absence will result in a dropin your final grade, due to the fact that class participation is part of your final grade. AFTER YOUR SIXTH UNEXCUSED ABSENSE, YOU WILL BE DROPPED FROM THE CLASS AND LOSE CREDIT FOR THE COURSE. Excessive tardiness will also affect your grade. Three tardies will count as one absence. I recommend you save that absence or tardy for a really rainy day, or a totally unforeseen challenge like a flat, car battery, not just the first small challenge. ALL ABSENCES ARE CONSIDERED UNEXCUSED UNLESS PRIOR APPROVAL IS SOUGHT AND GRANTED FROM THE INSTRUCTOR IN WRITING. Should a student miss a class, it is the responsibility of the student to learn and to prepare the assignment for the next scheduled class.Credit for attending class is verified by your signature on the sign in sheet at the beginning of class.

Late Work

An assignment made at one class meeting is due at the next class meeting unless instructed otherwise. If you are absent the day the assignment is made or the day it is due, make plans to turn it in electronically via email, leave it in my mail slot in the department office (RTFP 242) and NOTIFY ME BY EMAIL when it is there. For every class meeting that the assignment is late, you will lose 10 percentage points off the grade. After three class meetings, the assignment will no longer be accepted without special permission. Keep up with the assignments. Work sheets may be given to help you study for exams. Test questions usually come directly from the work sheets and class lectures.

A missed exam may or may not be able to be made up by making arrangements with the instructor. Consult the UNT policy on EXCUSED ABSENCES online. Approach me as quickly as possible to have a strong chance of success.

Important Note

Please feel free to ask questions during lectures or discussions. If you need help with anything, please talk to me. You can speak to me in person, send me an email, or/and come to my office during office hours, or make an appointment with me that better suits your schedule. Students usually fail a class because they do not come to class, or complete the work, or give up far too early – not because they are incapable. Please inform me of any difficulties you may be having.

Grading Policy

A: > 90%, B: > 80%, C: > 70%, D: > 60%, F: 60% and below, of the total number of points.

Grading Criteria / Percentage of Final Grade
Attendance, in-class discussion or participation,
in-class written work & worksheets / 25% (460 points)
Mid-Term Exam, and other tests and quizzes / 25% (460 points)
Assignments, worksheets, essays or worksheets on one UNT Theatre productions / 25% (460 points)
Final Project / 25% (460 points)

Your final grade will be based upon the average of your grades in the following categories: Attendance, in-class work, in-class participation; Mid-Term Exam, and other tests and quizzes; Assignments, worksheets, essays or worksheets on UNT Theatre productions; Final Project. See below.

Production Essay or Worksheet

This course will require your attendance at the 1 upcoming Theatre Department’s productions tbd.

Tickets

You are entitled to one free ticket for each of these two productions, but in order to ensure that you comply with your class requirement, you must go get your ticket in advance of the performance. The box office is in the lobby of this building, and tickets are available starting one week before the performances begin. Attending one production is required. Appropriate conduct while attending performances is essential.

Extra Credit

You may get extra credit for attending and reviewing additional shows, in Dallas, Ft. Worth, Denton, etc. if you get professor approval. You may get extra credit for applying what you learn in class in projects in other areas of your life. You may get credit for attending UNT’s Opera productions, but students do not get free tickets. You may get extra credit by attending a professional production in the Metroplex.

Other theatres to consider include, but are not limited to, Casa Mañana, The Dallas Opera, The Dallas Theater Center, Fort Worth Opera, Kitchen Dog Theater, Lyric Stage, Plano Repertory Theatre, Theater Three, Pocket Sandwich Theater, Uptown Players, Water Tower Theater and touring shows at various venues. Five points added for each show on to your total.

Extra credit must have the instructor’s prior approval. It might involve reporting orally to the professor or reporting in a written form. A program and proof of purchase stapled to the critique is required. Extra credit is not accepted in lieu of required assignments. It is extra.

Writing and Format needs

Since communication is essential in this class, and it is a collegiate level class, adhering to some formalities will be necessary. Your writing will most often be done in a word processing format on your own computer or on machines available in the many Computer Labs available on campus. You need to employ Times New Roman 12, with 1” margins for every assignment unless otherwise directed. You will need to adjust to using a heading on your paperwork that is required in this class, but may use citation styles that you need to use for your own major field. For example, everyone will need to use the heading as shown in the example, and footnotes when citing a source, but may format the Sources Page according to MLA or Chicago style or APA or other, as is being employed in your classes within your major. The heading for your paperwork must appear only on page 1, in the left hand corner. It must include a row and seat number. This is necessary to be able to return work simply. Avoid contractions in any formal work for this class.

Course-Related Academic Adjustments in Compliance with the

Americans with Disabilities Act

The University of North Texas is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation; reference Public Law 92-112 - The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. With the passage of new federal legislation entitled American with Disabilities Act (ADA), pursuant to section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, there is renewal focus on providing this population with the same opportunities enjoyed by all citizens.

Academic Integrity Policy

In accordance with the University policies on student conduct, any acts of dishonesty, including, but not limited to, Cheating, Facilitating Academic Dishonesty, or Plagiarism

(“1. the knowing or negligent use by paraphrase or direct quotation of the published or

unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment.

2. the knowing or negligent unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person

or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials.”)

will result in automatic failure of the assignment in question and possible failure of the course and suspension from the University as deemed appropriate by the instructor and the Vice President for Student Development Office.

SETE

The Student Evaluation of Teaching Effectiveness (SETE) is a requirement for all organized classes at UNT. This short survey will be made available to you at the end of the semester, providing you a chance to comment on how this class is taught. I am very interested in the feedback I get from students, as I work to continually improve my teaching. I consider the SETE to be an important part of your participation in this class. We will be able to offer extra credit to the whole class if more than 85% complete the SETE.

Final Notes

•Please be sure to SAVE A COPY OF ANY WORK YOU TURN IN FOR THIS CLASS OVER THE COURSE OF THE SEMESTER ANDSAVE ALL WORK THAT I RETURN TO YOU UNTIL THE SEMESTER IS COMPLETE. It is recommended that you save a copy of your computer generated work on a flash drive, etc.

•Read The Flippin’ Question (RTFQ) is highly advisable in this class. Students can also apply that to listening to all instructions before asking for clarification. Re-read your own work, especially on tests, before turning it in. Re-read the instructions.

•With the amount of students we have in our class, it is necessary to have “systems” in place to collect and return work. You must have a heading on all of your work (that is possible) that includes your NAME, PROFESSOR’S NAME, CLASS ROW AND SEAT, DATE with month spelled in some fashion. An example of this heading and other format concerns is included at the end of this syllabus

ALL PORTIONS OF THIS SYLLABUS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Your Surname, Your chosen name

Professor R. G. Bowen

THEA 1340, Row ___Seat ___

1 SEPT 2013 or September 1, 2013

Proper Formatting, or Essays Need a Title

Indent paragraphs, double-space prose, (single-space the heading in the upper left hand corner) use TNR 12 point, and 1” margins, write in full sentences, avoid contractions, check for correct spelling, grammar and so forth. The heading must appear only on page 1. Use one-sided printing and staple together multiple pages.Please number all pages. When citation is needed, use footnotes. Use the style for references that is used in your field of study, whether that be Chicago style or APA, MLA etc. Following clear formatting instructions and paying attention to detail in order to do collegiate level work is essential for achieving high levels of success in this class.

Do not allow for more (or less) space between paragraphs than the double-space already selected. Italicize play titles, as in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, underline novels, use quotes around journal articles, italicize words in a different language if they are not in common usage in English. Chiaroscuro is an Italian word but is used in English, so it does not need to be italicized. However, an expression such as laissez faire should be italicized. Contractions are perfectly acceptable in common speech but should not be used in writing for academic work. (“Shouldn’t” is not acceptable: “should not” is appropriate.)

Remember to review “there, their and they’re.” Use the Writing Lab at least once per term. Endeavor to use a thesis sentence as the last sentence of your opening paragraph. Look up what “thesis sentence” means and keep that definition handy.[1] If you use idiomatic phrases or cultural allusions, be prepared to clarify them within the context of your writing, or even in a footnote as a parenthetical statement. Note the spelling of “received.” Refer to this paper often.

Sources Pages can use different styles

MLA

SparkNotes Editors. “SparkNote on Hamlet.” SparkNotes.com. SparkNotes LLC. 2007. Web. 3 Dec. 2012.

The Chicago Manual of Style

SparkNotes Editors. “SparkNote on Hamlet.” SparkNotes LLC. 2007. (accessed December 3, 2012).

APA

SparkNotes Editors. (2007). SparkNote on Hamlet. Retrieved December 3, 2012, from

1

[1]Use footnotes for parenthetical comments, as well as citations of sources. Keeping something “handy” means to have it readily available, or “at hand.”