Jackson Community College Department of Theatre Fall 2008 Theatre 116 Introduction to Theatre Section 03 032922 T R 1 00 2 26 p m Bert Walker 218 Instructor Andrew Variell Office Potter Center 109B Mail Box Bert Walker 233 Email variellandrewm jccmi edu Office Hours T 3 5 p m W 2 5 p m F 12 3 p m and by appointment Texts Supplies Brockett Oscar G and Ball Robert J The Essential Theatre 9th ed Boston Thomson Wadsworth 2008 ISBN 0495090379 A copy of William Shakespeare s Richard III Course Description This course as stated in the catalogue is a survey of Western Theatre and Drama with an appreciation of theatre through understanding of historical development and societal function theatre architecture production costuming and acting styles and the artists who create it In other words in this class we will travel through history from the beginning of Theatre to the modern age Looking closely at all the elements that have contributed to this art form Course Requirements 1 Attendance It is highly suggested to attend and be on time for all class meetings It is very difficult to make up missed classes since much of the learning is in class lecture discussion and activity oriented If you know in advance that you will be late or absent for a given class period notify me at 517 490 3188 or at variellandrewm jccmi edu as far in advance as possible Poor attendance could result in lowering your grade You are responsible for turning in all assignments and getting any materials and or information for the following class 2 Required Readings Readings are listed on the course calendar You are expected to read and be prepared to discuss all readings prior to coming to class Keep notes of all questions comments connections and responses for all readings in a notebook and bring these with you for class discussion 3 Class Participation 10 As stated in the Attendance portion this class is in class lecture and discussion and activity based therefore students are required to participate everyday Students should be engaged in and contribute to the discussion and activities THR 116 2 4 Assignments All papers written for this class should follow the standard MLA format 12 point font double space 1 margins proper citations if needed etc They also should be free of grammatical and mechanical errors i Reaction Papers 50 Throughout the semester you will be required to do 10 ten response papers These response papers are designed to help you synthesize and apply what you have learned from the various ideas concepts and works over the semester Some response papers will have a focused idea or theme to be addressed others will be up to your discretion as long as you meet all the requirements Unless otherwise noted each paper should be at least 1 one but no more than 2 two pages in length ii Richard III Shakespearean Paper 20 A 5 7 page paper on Shakespeare his play Richard III and the various production styles that have come about More detailed information to be given at a later date This paper is due October 21st iii Theatre Practitioner Paper 15 A 3 5 page paper on a theatre practitioner of your choice A Theatre Practitioner is a person engaged in the professional occupation of the Theatrical Arts This may be anyone from a professional actor director or designer as long as they are pre approved with me before hand More detailed information to be given at a later date This paper is due December 11th 5 Quizzes Homework 5 Throughout the semester there will be quizzes and homework assignments given per the discretion of the instructor The quizzes may or may not be announced ahead of time The best way to prepare for these quizzes is to have your reading done ahead of time Homework assignments will be given ample time to complete Make Up Work It is the students responsibility to make up any missed work quizzes or assignments due to an excused absence Late work submitted without prior instructor approval will not be accepted If a student has an unexcused absence on a day that a quiz is given the student will receive a 0 for that quiz score Course Evaluation Grading Grades will be based upon a 4 0 scale Each assignment has its weighted percentage next to it Here is a review of all graded work Class Participation 10 Response Papers 50 Quizzes Homework 5 Richard III Shakespeare Paper 20 Theatre Practitioner Paper 15 Grading Scale 100 95 94 90 89 85 4 0 3 5 3 0 A AB 84 80 79 75 74 70 2 5 2 0 1 5 BC C 69 65 64 60 59 0 1 0 0 5 0 0 D DE THR 116 3 Associate Degree Outcomes The Board of Trustees has determined that all JCC graduates should develop or enhance certain essential skills while enrolled in the college In this course the successful student will meet ADO 6 Understand and appreciate aesthetic experience and artistic creativity in the following ways Develops an understanding and vocabulary of theatre capable of identifying and knowing theatre its components and the societal historical context whereby it is created Understands the methods of analysis of what constitutes theatre and those who create it Uses discipline specific language to comprehend what constitutes good theatre Engages in prompted discussions and activities in the creative contexts demonstrating various components within which theatre and it participants work and the artist s resulting creative choices Understands and Identifies the components and of theatre those who create it the aesthetic standards used to make critical judgments in how theatre reflects society Approaches a theatrical work of collaborative creative work with comprehension the requirements to do theatre and a greater appreciation of theatre as an art form Also the successful student will meet ADO 7 Critical Thinking in the following ways Demonstrates interest in learning Recognizes need for questions Identifies emotional impact from character and theme development in theatrical production and dramatic script Distinguishes between reality and theatrical reality Identifies criteria for good theatre Identifies bias in dramatic scripts productions and audience perceptions Recognizes how theatre reflects society Understands how theatre is created How a theatre experience develops from concept script stage design blocking to production Introduction to Theatre is a required class for those pursuing a Certificate in Performance and or Technical Theatre Academic Integrity This Policy applies to any and all student experiences in which academic credit is involved e g courses internships practica