THEA333:  Studies in Drama: Genre and Theatre in Context  (3,0) 3            3 Credits

Prerequisites:     ENGL180 or Departmental Permission.

            Instructor:           Robert G. Cooper, MSDT, BA, B Ed,  M Ed                                                                  

                                           Arts Centre Adjuncts’ Office, Room 257                                                                   

                         906-635-2275 0r 705-945-8165              

                         rcooper@sympatico.ca                      

Office Hours:    By appointment, or … 

Required Texts:            Various internet and library sources. 

Recommended Texts: 

Brockett, O. and Hildy, F. J.   History of Theatre. 10^th ed. Boston: Pearson, 2008.

Vena, G. and Nouryeh, A.  Drama and Performance.  New York: Harper Collins, 1996.

Assorted anthologies of plays as available

Course Description: 

"Students will examine major plays in the context of theatre and literary history from the beginning to the present, including European, British, and American development.”

Course Goals: 

Upon completion of THEA333 students should be able to produce essays and reports that discuss the historical, literary, and social significance of plays as they represent the main genres of theatre. 

Course Objectives:

Knowledge

By the end of THEA333, students should be able to:

·         Know the identifying characteristics of the various genres studied.

·         Understand the relationship between any play being studied and its place in the history of theatre.

·         Understand the relationship between the play, the author(s), and the society in which the play was written. 

            Performance

            By the end of THEA333, students should be able to:

·         Discuss the identifying characteristics of the plays studied.

·         Explain the relationships between each play and those that preceded and followed it.

·         Explain and discuss the social, political, and cultural forces that contributed to the creation of the play.

·         Write a research essay that explores the significance of a play in terms of its genre, its place in the history of theatre, its importance to the society in which it was created, or its influence on subsequent theatrical productions. 

Grading Scale and Policies:

Percentage Values: 

·         Assignments                         20%

·         Class Participation               20%

·         Major Essay                           30%

·         Exam(s)                                   30% 

Grading Scale:

                        98-100              A+                                70-77                C

                        92-97                A                                  68-69                C-

90-91                A-                                 66-67                D+

88-89                B+                                62-65                D

82-87                B                                  60-61                D-

80-81                B-                                 0-59                  F

78-79                C+

              Ground Rules:

1.     Completing assignments on time and keeping up with the class material is important for success in this course and in college.  Late assignments will not be accepted except for legitimate pre-approved reasons as determined by the instructor.  Examples of legitimate reasons are:  severe illness, death in family, etc.

2.     Students are expected to perform all assigned work themselves.  Any form of cheating or plagiarism will be handled in accordance with the Honor Code Procedures.  Violations of the Honor Code may result in an F for the course grade.

3.     Use of head phones, cell phones and hats during exams is prohibited.

4.     Cell phones must be turned off for all class and lab sessions.  If the cell phone is on and rings, the student will be asked to leave the class for the day and this will count as an absence.

5.     Attend all classroom sessions.

6.     Complete all reading and assignments before class.

7.     Ask questions if you do not understand anything.

8.     Attend all classroom sessions.  

University Policies and Statements: 

The Americans with Disabilities Act & Accommodations 

In compliance with Lake Superior State University policies and equal access laws, disability-related accommodations or services are available to students with documented disabilities.  

If you are a student with a disability and you think you may require accommodations you must register with Disability Services (DS), which is located in the KJS Library, Room 130, (906) 635-2355 or x2355 on campus.  DS will provide you with a letter of confirmation of your verified disability and authorize recommended accommodations.  This authorization must be presented to your instructor before any accommodations can be made. 

Students who desire such services should meet with instructors in a timely manner, preferably during the first week of class, to discuss individual disability related needs. Any student who feels that an accommodation is needed – based on the impact of a disability – should meet with instructors privately to discuss specific needs. 

IPASS (Individual Plan for Academic Student Success) 

If at mid-term your grades reflect that you are at risk for failing some or all of your classes, you will be contacted by a representative of IPASS. The IPASS program is designed to help you gain control over your learning through pro-active communication and goal-setting, the development of intentional learning skills and study habits, and personal accountability. You may contact 635-2887 or email ipass@lssu.edu if you would like to sign up early in the semester or if you have any questions or concerns. 

HONOR PLEDGE 

As a student of Lake Superior State University, you have pledged to support the Student Honor Code of the College of Engineering & Technology.  You will refrain from any form of academic dishonesty or deception such as cheating, stealing, plagiarism or lying on take‑home assignments, homework, computer programs, lab reports, quizzes, tests or exams which are Honor Code violations.  Furthermore, you understand and accept the potential consequences of punishable behavior.      

Writing Lab Services

Take charge and learn to express yourself by visiting the Writing Lab in the Learning Centre, located on the lower floor of the Library. The Writing Lab instructor will work with you on a one-to-one basis, helping you work through all writing-related issues in a variety of disciplines. The goal is to help students generate, organize, revise and improve their writing. The Writing Lab instructor will look at work at any stage of the writing process. You can go to the Lab to talk out ideas for a paper, or to clarify a thesis statement, or to restructure an essay, or to help identify awkward sentence structure and word choice.   

Tentative Course Outline

Topical Outline for THEA333    (3 credits)                                             % of time spent 

·         Dramaturgy                                                                                           17

·         Tragedy                                                                                                 17

·         Religious Theatre                                                                                 09

·         Comedy                                                                                                19

·         Melodrama                                                                                            03

·         Gay and Lesbian                                                                                   03

·         Feminist                                                                                                  03

·         Socio-Political                                                                                        06

·         Student Presentations                                                                           13

·         Testing                                                                                                     10

Total                                                                                                                100%