Approved by Faculty Senate

Department: Theatre and Dance

Course Number: THAD 111

Number of Credits: 3

Course Title: What is Theatre ?

Catalog Description: This course, designed for University Studies in the category of Fine and Performing Arts explores the question, "What is Theatre?" Through class lectures and discussion, individual and group projects, production attendance and critiques, and play readings students will become more familiar with the art of theatre. Students will be expected to attend performances outside of normal class time. Offered each semester.

This is an existing course that has previously been approved by A2C2.

Department contact person for this course: Win Lewis

Email: lewisem@winona.edu

The proposed course is designed to satisfy the requirement in:

Fine and Performing Arts

a. explore the language, skills, and materials of an artistic discipline;

Through lecture and discussion the class will examine the components and conventions of creating and producing theatre. They will explore how theatre developed from a ritualistic religious ceremony to an artistic expressions that explores human kind.

b. use the methods of an arts practitioner to actively engage in creative processes or interpretive performances;

Students will participate in group projects that begin with the examination, interpretation or creation of a script. Then as a group, they will present their scripts to their classmates as works in progress. They will meet outside of class time with the instructor for evaluation and group discussion on their script and to receive feedback on their work in progress. On one of four performance days they will present their work in progress to the class. The final step it this group project is a personal and group evaluation form submitted from the WEB. (d)

c. understand the cultural and gender contexts of artistic expression;

During the semester the students will read play scripts from many of the key time periods of the growth of Western theatre. Though small group and large group discussion the students will use these plays to help them understand the culture and beliefs that brought about the creation of these scripts.

d. engage in reflective analysis of their own art work or interpretive performance and respond to the works of others.

The students are expected to attend a minimum of two productions outside of normal class time. They are then expected to write a critique on one of these productions based on what has been discussed in class and covered in their text.

Each student as part of their final project must fill out a project evaluation form on themselves and the other members of their group. This form is their chance to explore the process they have been through and to evaluate their contributions and the contributions of the other members of their production team.

Class Objectives

1. To examine how to define “THEATRE”.
2. To investigate what the building blocks of theatre are.
3. To determine if and why theatre is different than other forms of “Artistic” & “Social” communications and activities.
4. To become acquainted with the theatrical processes.
5. To explore how theatre comments on and reflects on our past and present society.

University Studies Objectives

Courses in the Fine and Performing Arts area of the University Studies program offer opportunities for creative expression. These courses, which have a significant experiential/studio component, introduce the student to the creative process. They develop basic skills and aesthetic awareness in tandem with a fundamental understanding of artistic traditions and contemporary expressions. Courses must be selected from an approved list; departments normally included in the Fine and Performing Arts are Art, English, Music, and Theater and Dance.

These courses must include requirements and learning activities that promote students' abilities to...
a. explore the language, skills, and materials of an artistic discipline;
b. use the methods of an arts practitioner to actively engage in creative processes or interpretive performances;
c. understand the cultural and gender contexts of artistic expression; and
d. engage in reflective analysis of their own art work or interpretive performance and respond to the works of others.

Assignments

1. Cartoon Project - Short Paper Interpreting “something” as “Theatre” (a)
2. Critique - One Critique on a WSU Production, a touring production or a local production approved by Instructor. (d)
3. Shakespeare Project - Project done in trios adapting and presenting a short Shakespeare speech to a modern language form. (b)
4. Final Project - Group presentation of Children’s Story aimed at your peers. (b & d))
5. Eight Play Readings - A Dolls House, Oedipus Rex, Everyman, Othello, The Hypochondriac, Uncle Tom's Cabin, The Bald Soprano, and Dutchman, (Dutchman is extra credit ) (a & c)
6. Attendance at THAD productions Play One and Play Two. (d)
( Information about these productions will be included on the quizzes and exams. )
7. Readings From Text as Assigned on Calendar

Assignment Due Dates

All written assignments for this class will have specific due dates. I expect all assignments on the assigned day. I will not accept assignments past 5.00PM on the due date unless I have been talked to the student about their problem before the deadline. If the assignment is not finished, please turn in what you have. Re-writes are permitted on all written projects as long as they are turned in. All written assignments must be typed, double spaced, using a font no larger than 12 point, with margins no larger than one (1) inch. PLEASE spell and grammar check but also remember the checkers are not perfect. After doing the checks please do a final proof reading.

Evaluation

* Lowest Quiz Score Will Be Dropped

All Tests and Quizzes are comprehensive covering "Any Material Discussed, Read or Seen".

Class Participation and Attendance

First, this is a discussion and lecture course where the students are expected to take an active part in the day-to-day class activities. We will watch videos and discuss what has been seen. Attendance will be taken daily. Your class participation grade will be based on your attendance. Each student is permitted two (2) unexcused absences. After two (2) unexcused absences you will loose two (2) points of class participation credit for each additional absence. If a student looses all of their class participation points then each additional absence will lower the final grade by one (1) points.
The class will discuss the guidelines to be followed for group discussions and group meetings held during class and outside of class. The class as a democratic body will create a collection of guidelines that will be organized and passed out on the second day of class. These guidelines will be signed by each class member and serve as a contract of behavior for the remainder of the semester.

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact the instructor as soon as possible to make necessary accommodations.

© E.M.Lewis IV, 07/98 Revised 10/00

© E.M.Lewis IV created 7/98 Revised 8/00