World Theatre: History and Literature I Dr. Ray T. Schultz
TH 3101 Fall 2002 4 [RW1] credits Office: HFA 105 b
MWF 9:15-10:20 a.m. HUM 12 Ph: x6267 E-m: schultzr
Office Hours: Tues. 2:30 -- 4:00 p.m.; Wed. Noon -- 1:30 p.m. & by appt.
I. COURSE GOALS/OBJECTIVES.
This course will broaden your knowledge and appreciation of the Western stage from the Greeks through the various European Renaissances, as well as select non-Western theatrical modes and traditions. We will survey the theatrical history and literature of these periods and civilizations with an eye towards expanding not only your factual knowledge of specific people, plays, events, conventions, institutions, technologies, etc., but also towards enlarging your comprehension of how theatre may be shaped by the cultural, political, and aesthetic beliefs and practices of a particular historic moment--and how theatre may, in turn, impact a particular society. Additionally, this course aims to sharpen your critical thinking, writing, and research skills through a study of the past's theatrical practices and practitioners, social customs, and dramatic literature. Finally, this course will hopefully inspire and enable you to connect the ways in which the various threads of theatre's past wind through successive periods right up to the "theatre history" of today. Some teaching methods include (but are not limited to) lecture; group discussion, activities, and projects; audio-visual presentations; and practical application of ideas.
II. REQUIRED TEXTS AND SUPPLIES. (available in UMM bookstore)
Wilson, Edwin and Alvin Goldfarb. Living Theater: A History.
3rd ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2000.
Worthen, W. B., ed. The Harcourt Brace Anthology of Drama.
3rd ed. Fort Worth: Harcourt Brace, 2000.
-- Copies of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream & another Shakespeare TBA
-- There will also be periodic handouts from me and some materials on reserve either in the Briggs Library or my office that will be required reading.
-- The UMM Theatre Discipline’s production of Dancing at Lughnasa is also a required “text.” You must either participate in the production in some capacity or see a performance of it.
-- A notebook to store reading and lecture notes, assignments, ideas, etc. is required; I reserve the right to collect or peruse notebooks at various points during the semester; productive use of your notebook is not only encouraged but will be factored into your class participation grade.
-- You will also be required to make occasional copies of materials for a few assignments (a minimal expense).
III. COURSE REQUIREMENTS/ASSIGNMENTS/GRADES.
Course Requirements:
A. Class attendance, discussion, participation, and presentations.
B. Readings in texts, handouts, and reserve materials; homework assignments.
C. Mid-term and final exams.
D. A “Resident Expert” Project, with multiple components.
E. Two dramatic literature presentations and short papers.
F. Two Theatre History Correspondent Assignments.
G. Dancing at Lughnasa attendance and related assignment.
Grading Breakdown (250 points max):
A. Class participation and attendance 20 points
B. Exams (2 @ 50 pts.) 100 pts.
C. Resident Expert presentation/paper 40 pts.
D. Resident Expert summaries (2 @ 10 pts.) 20 pts.
E. Quizzes 10 pts.
F. Dramatic Lit. assignments 40 pts.
G. Dancing at Lughnasa assignment 10 pts.
H. Theatre History Reporting (2 @ 5 pts.) 10 pts.
Grading Scale:
226-250 pts. = A 186-191 pts. = B- 157-164 pts. = D+
216-225 pts. = A- 181-185 pts. = C+ 147-156 pts. = D
201-215 pts. = B+ 171-180 pts. = C 141-146 pts. = D-
192-200 pts. = B 165-170 pts. = C- 0-140 pts. = F
--Students taking the course S/N must receive a C- in order to pass.
Class Attendance/Performance: Attendance in class is mandatory. Because participation and discussion are integral to this course, you are required to be prepared for class and actively participate: this means, first and foremost, keeping up with the readings and executing written and presentational assignments in a timely fashion. It additionally means contributing to class discussions and activities on a regular basis and taking notes on readings and lecture/discussions. I encourage you to meet with me outside of class at least twice during the semester. You can earn 5 automatic points on your participation grade by scheduling two conferences with me over the course of the semester.
Class Presentations: You will give a variety of presentations for the class. Some will be graded (resident expert project, play presentations, etc.) and some will be considered homework/in-class work (reporting on readings, study questions, etc.). It is expected that you will be prepared, organized and thorough in your presentations. I recommend practicing them at least once outside of class to ensure that you adhere to all the guidelines and expectations (i.e., time limits, content, etc.) of the assignment. Feel free to be as creative (audio-visuals, performing, etc.) as you want to be in the style(s) of your presentations.
Exams & Quizzes: The midterm and final exam dates are listed on the calendar. They can/will consist of both objective and essay sections. You may also expect some “pop” quizzes. These quizzes will consist of short, objective questions on the readings. Some homework assignments will count as quizzes. (There will be no make-up exams without the proper written excuses; there will be no make-up quizzes under any circumstances.)
Resident Expert Project: Over the course of the semester you will serve as a “resident expert in an area of theatre history. You will track your area in our reading and share your findings with your classmates, as well as research a topic that will culminate in a class presentation and paper. This assignment will be scheduled and specific requirements and components will be discussed further in class.
Production Attendance: You are required to attend (or participate in) the Theatre Discipline’s production of Dancing at Lughnasa. Performance dates are Oct. 31-Nov. 2. In addition to attending the production, there will be a related assignment to complete. You will receive a separate assignment sheet for this assignment.
Dramatic Literature Presentations: Each member of class will read two additional plays from a period we are studying that is not on the assigned reading list. One will be a play by Shakespeare and one will be chosen from a list of suggested titles. You will be expected to give a 15-20 minute class presentation on each play and further develop the Shakespeare play into a short paper that emphasizes the plays’ literary and/or historical relevance. You will receive a separate assignment sheet for this assignment.
Theatre History Correspondent Reports: Twice over the semester you will serve as the class “Theatre History Reporter.” In a quick, five-minute segment, you’ll report on one (or a few) theatre-related topic(s) of import: anniversaries, tributes, deaths, revivals; how theatre’s past is impacting the present. You may also report on any “theatre history” in the making—what new productions, trends, technologies, etc. have arrived or are on the horizon. You will receive a separate assignment sheet for this assignment.
IV. POLICIES/GUIDELINES.
Attendance: You are allowed two unexcused absences. If you have between 3-5 unexcused absences, expect a point to be taken off your participation grade for each unexcused absence. For 6 or more, deduct two additional points for each unexcused absence. Punctuality is also vital; therefore, lateness past 15 minutes will be considered an absence. Three latenesses under 15 minutes will equal one absence.
EXCUSED absences are official WRITTEN excuses from the proper authorities (Chancellor’s office for activity participation and family emergencies, Health Services, doctor for serious illness, etc.) Only these official excuses will be accepted, but YOU still remain responsible for the work missed, including rescheduling of projects, make-up assignments, exams, etc. Consult the UMM bulletin for further details.
Assignments/Tests:
--All outside written work (unless stated otherwise) should be typed, double-spaced, and have one-inch margins. Papers should document sources in MLA style and include a works cited page. Please use a readable font in 12 point size. Make use of spell check and proof read your written work; excessive mechanical/grammatical errors will adversely affect your grade.
--All project/paper topics must be cleared with me in advance—IN WRITING. Please submit topics in writing, even if we discuss them.
--Late work will not be credited without the proper written excuses; if you are absent for an exam you will receive a “0” without the proper written excuse.
--There will be no extra credit offered for this course.
The Internet: When researching assignments, I encourage you to avail yourself of all sources, including the internet. However, for certain assignments I may require you to use a certain number of “non-cyber sources” (i.e., books, magazines, journals, etc.) as opposed to web sites.
Student Responsibilities:
--You are personally responsible for acquiring notes and handouts for any missed classes.
--For your own protection, make extra hard copies of all your written assignments. Even teachers are known to misplace things--or never receive them!
--Computer, printer, and copier problems DO NOT excuse late work. Allow sufficient time to print out or copy your work.
--Since you are ultimately responsible for your own grade, please see me ASAP should any problems or concerns arise. My office hours are listed. Don’t be afraid to make an appointment or drop by.
--On exam days, it is in your best interest to be here--and to arrive on time. No make-up exams will be given without an official excuse. Exams will not necessarily run over scheduled class/exam time.
--You are responsible for any announced changes in the syllabus or class schedule.
-- Please consult the university bulletin for guidelines concerning withdrawals, incompletes and academic dishonesty. I will give an incomplete only in the most dire of circumstances. Academic dishonesty, such as plagiarism or cheating, will result in a failing grade for that exam or assignment. You may further risk failure for the course and consequences on the university level.
-- Reasonable accommodations will be provided for students with physical, sensory, learning, and psychiatric disabilities. Please see me as soon as possible for further information.
In the best interests of this class I reserve the right to alter portions of this syllabus. Any changes will be announced in class.
V. HUMBLE SUGGESTIONS:
--Keep current with your readings & short assignments--we’ll move quickly. Please note that this is a reading & writing intensive course.
-- Start thinking about long-term assignments TODAY so you don’t get overwhelmed or aren’t always doing things at the last minute. Work on big assignments a little each week. I’m also willing to share my resources (books, scripts, video tapes, CDs, etc.) with you.
--See me for topic narrowing hints and general ?s and concerns for all projects. My door is almost always open!
--Seek out the friendly and wise people in The Writing Room (308 Briggs Library www.morris.umn.edu/academic/writing_room/). It never hurts to share ideas or writing with an outside source.
--Consider forming a study group to read plays aloud, review for exams, bounce ideas off of, support your research, etc.
--And finally, some “Deep Thoughts” to ponder:
“The past is a foreign country: they do things differently there.”
--L.P. Hartley
“It has been said that though God cannot alter the past, historians can....”
--Samuel Butler
“The best way to suppose what may come is to remember what is past.”
--Miscellaneous
“What’s past is prologue.”
--Shakespeare, The Tempest
CALENDAR FOR WORLD THR. HIS. & LIT. I FALL ‘02
(This schedule is tentative and subject to change. All changes will be announced.)
LT = Living Theater (chapters)
HB = Harcourt Brace Anthology of Drama (plays and/or pg#s)
M Aug. 26 Welcome & Intros; “Personal Theatre History”
W Aug. 28 Read preface & LT INTRO ; also HB (pgs. 3-10)
F Aug. 30 LT 2 Greeks
M Sept. 2 Labor Day -- No class
W Sept. 4 HB (pgs 13-23) & Oedipus
F Sept. 6 Medea and HB (Case “Classic Drag” pgs. 136-142)
Resident Expert Areas assigned & scheduled by this week....
M Sept. 9 Aristotle and the Poetics (HB pgs. 125-135)
W Sept. 11 LT 2 Rome; also HB (pgs. 20-21)
F Sept. 13 Read Handout on The Menaechmi by Plautus and Funny Thing
Play & Shakespeare Presentations assigned & scheduled by this week...
M Sept. 16 TBA
W Sept. 18 Egypt and the Ancient East
F Sept. 20 LT 3 Medieval era
M Sept. 23 Read HB (pgs 221-26) & Everyman
W Sept. 25 Finish Medieval
F Sept. 27 LT 5 (plus pgs. 138-139) Italian Renaissance
M Sept. 30 Continue Italian (Read HB p. 402 Commedia)
W Oct. 2 Sanskrit & India (LT 4 [pgs. 111-116] & HB pgs. 166-167)
F Oct. 4 Continue Sanskrit & India
M Oct. 7 Continue Sanskrit & India Resident Expert Summary Review Sheets Due
W Oct. 9 LT 7 Spanish Golden Age
F Oct. 11 HB (pgs. 397-401) & Life Is A Dream
M Oct. 14 Fall Break – No Class
W Oct. 16 TBA & Review for Mid-term
F Oct. 18 MIDTERM EXAM
M Oct. 21 LT 6 Elizabethan England; Resident Expert Presentation/Paper Topics Due
W Oct. 23 A Midsummer Night’s Dream
F Oct. 25 Continue England; HB (pgs. 227-242)
UMM’s Dancing at Lughnasa plays this week...
M Oct. 28 Shakespeare Play Presentations (All Shakes Info Sheets And Reviews Due)
W Oct. 30 Shakespeare Play Presentations
F Nov. 1 Shakespeare Play Presentations
M Nov. 4 Lughnasa Assignment Due
W Nov. 6 LT 8 French NeoClassicism
F Nov. 8 Continue French; HB (391-395) & Tartuffe
M Nov. 11 Finish French & Tartuffe; Shakespeare Papers Due
W Nov. 13 LT 4 (pgs. 123-136) Theatre of Japan; Resident Expert Preliminary Bibliography Due
F Nov. 15 Continue Japan (HB pgs. 168-176 Matsukaze; also pgs. 196-217)
M Nov. 18 Supplementary Play Assignment (All Play Info Sheets Due)
W Nov. 20 Ray Away at NCA in New Orleans--TBA
F Nov. 22 Ray Away at NCA in New Orleans--TBA
M Nov. 25 LT 9 England--Restoration & Beyond (also read
LT pgs. 246-248; 307-308);
W Nov. 27 Continue England; HB (pgs. 395-97; 568-76)
F Nov. 29 Happy Thanksgiving! No Class
M Dec. 2 Resident Expert Presentations
W Dec. 4 Resident Expert Presentations; Optional First Draft of Resident Expert Paper Due
F Dec. 6 Resident Expert Presentations; Resident Expert Summary Review Sheets Due
M Dec. 9 TBA; Resident Expert Presentation Assessments Due
W Dec. 11 Last Regular Class!! Review for final; Resident Expert Papers Due
FINAL EXAM WED. DEC. 18 1:30 – 3:30 P.M.
Synopses/Living Histories:
Oedipus in Theatre Ex. Wilson p166; also Wilson Theatre Lively Art p201; also Cohen latest Intro bk p83 & ff
Tartuffe Wilson Theatre LA p 134, p264
Way of World Theatre LA p 275 Theatre Ex. Wilson p184
Country Wife p272
Noh Wilson Theatre LA p229 &ff
Menaechmi also in Wilson Theatre LA p 208
Hamlet Wilson Theatre LA p250
Life is a Dream Vena anthology
E-mail addresses of class:
chap0176, dobi0017, farm0051, farr0145, goeb0026, plet0023, rouf0012